RTO Legend Volume 1: Lyn Leach

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

The RTO Show "Let's talk Rent to Own"
RTO Legend Volume 1: Lyn Leach
Nov 04, 2025 Season 6 Episode 10
Pete Shau

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A flip chart, a promise to a father, and a tiny Omaha storefront lit the fuse for a 24-store rent-to-own legacy grounded in dignity and service. We sit down with industry legend Lyn Leach to unpack how a consumer-first mindset—friendly collections, honest agreements, and real return options—can turn a risky startup into a reliable community anchor. From vacuum tubes and rooftop antennas to Atari consoles, VCRs, and modern gaming rigs, this story tracks how products evolved while one mission stayed constant: improve quality of life and help customers reach ownership.

Lyn takes us behind the scenes of vendor battles and breakthrough moments—when a few believers extended those first fragile credit lines and proved relationships still power retail. He shares the mentors who simplified collections, the nuts-and-bolts of compliance that APRO made accessible, and the role of loss damage waivers in protecting both customers and stores. We also dig into policy trenches: statehouse wins, near-miss federal legislation, and why inviting lawmakers into stores flips the script on outdated stereotypes.

The conversation turns to today’s fault line: virtual rent-to-own models that advertise flexibility without physical service or true return paths. Lyn lays out how brick-and-mortar operators can compete by upgrading websites, tightening lead management, and creating unforgettable in-store events—from cultural celebrations to community food truck nights—that transform shopping into connection. If you care about customer trust, transparent pricing, and the future of rental-purchase, this is a masterclass in doing the right thing, the right way, for the long haul.

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APRO
Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

APRO
Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

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Episode Artwork RTO Legend Volume 1: Lyn Leach 57:51 Episode Artwork Show Your Face, Adjust Your Sound, And Watch Store Traffic Climb 46:59 Episode Artwork The Big Beautiful Bill: Discussing RTO’s Finance and taxes with RG Co. CPA's 1:41:37 Episode Artwork What a Quiet Salesperson Teaches Us About RTO’s Future 47:43 Episode Artwork From Cleats to Clipboards: Building Effective Leaders in Rent-to-Own 1:14:32 Episode Artwork "Grow your business in 40 flushes!" with book author John Preston 54:14 Episode Artwork What if your POS system actually made your business better? 1:11:38 Episode Artwork "Hello Omaha!" with APRO CEO Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE 36:03 Episode Artwork Franchise Success: The Inside Scoop with Mitchell Lee 53:00 Episode Artwork RTO World 2025 Recorded Live from Omaha! 58:38 Episode Artwork Creating Value-Driven Experiences with RNR CEO Adam Sutton 1:15:11 Episode Artwork Tomorrow's Technology for Today's Industry w/ Atlog.AI 57:42 Episode Artwork Stop Letting Customers Walk Away: Rental Conversion Secrets 1:02:49 Episode Artwork Are You Still Selling Like It's 2019? Fix it! 1:03:39 Episode Artwork The Art of Supply: Building JLR America 38:27 Episode Artwork Stop Chasing Ghosts: How to Bring Fresh Blood to Your RTO Store 51:09 Episode Artwork Building a Legacy: How Showplace Rent-to-Own Stood the Test of Time 50:33 Episode Artwork LegCon 2025: How APRO Advocates for the RTO Industry in Washington 54:16 Episode Artwork 40 Years of Fighting for an Industry: Ed Winn's RTO Legacy 37:26 Episode Artwork Legend: Ken Butler on RTO's triumphs and tribulations 2:09:54 Episode Artwork From Basic to Beautiful: Heath Perkins on Elevating RTO with Quality Rugs 24:40 Episode Artwork The Evolution of Ashley Furniture in Rent-To-Own with Mike Kays 1:10:07 Episode Artwork Nav-Air's Streaming Success in a Rent-to-Own World 30:42 Episode Artwork Part 4: “Growing your store with AI Marketing today!” 43:33 Episode Artwork Part 6: Running your store smarter with the help of AI 51:28