The RTO Show: "Let's talk Rent to Own"

The RTO Show Podcast is the podcast for the rent-to-own industry, hosted by Pete Shau, an industry insider with more than 20 years of experience in RTO operations, sales, leadership, marketing, and store growth.

Each episode brings candid conversations, practical insights, and real stories from the people shaping the RTO community, including operators, vendors, association leaders, store teams, industry veterans, and innovators helping move rent-to-own forward.

Pete’s conversations are built for seasoned veterans, newcomers, owners, managers, vendors, and anyone who wants to learn from the shared experiences, hard-earned lessons, and fresh perspectives inside the rent-to-own industry.

From lead generation, lead management, customer behavior, store traffic, door swings, sales process, collections, training, recruitment, and leadership development to technology, CRM integration, mobile-first shopping, Google ranking, Facebook ads, video marketing, advocacy, APRO, TRIB Group, RTO World, LegCon, and the future of the rent-to-own business model, The RTO Show helps listeners understand what is really happening in RTO.

If you work in RTO, serve the RTO industry, or want to better understand the people, challenges, trends, and opportunities behind rent-to-own, The RTO Show Podcast is your insider’s guide to the industry’s pulse.

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Guest

Wayland Russell

Wayland Russell is an RTO Legend and the co-founder of Rainbow Rentals, a rent-to-own company he helped launch in 1986 and grew into a publicly traded operation with 66 stores across eight states. Based in Canfield, Ohio, Rainbow Rentals became known for its unwavering commitment to quality products, customer dignity, and a culture-first approach to leadership. Wayland was an early pioneer in bringing bundled PCs to the RTO market, recognizing the opportunity in personal computers before the broader industry caught on — including forging an innovative supply relationship with Dell. He built Rainbow Rentals into a standout performer in the RTO category before ultimately selling the company, ensuring his associates were rewarded in the process. Recognized as an RTO Legend, Wayland's leadership philosophy — hire for passion, make everyone a partner, and act like a conductor helping others shine — continues to inspire the industry.

Guest appearance on:

Building a High Growth Rent to Own Business with Wayland Russell