Two stores, a fire that melted the backups, and a decision that transformed an operator into a multi-state force: keep the people, codify the playbook, and own the ground you stand on. We sit down with Larry Carrico of Rent One to unpack how acquisitions, training, and real estate leverage shaped four decades of growth without going public.
Larry explains why he buys underperforming locations and keeps local teams, then turns culture into a system. From Zig Ziglar’s “train the trainer” to DISC assessments and data-driven coaching, he shows how to match talent to roles, reward frontline excellence with driver rodeos, and make service the brand. He also reframes the RTO offer—don’t sell appliances and furniture, sell cold milk, clean clothes, and a great night’s sleep. That mindset powers sales, retention, and even legislative advocacy.
We dig into the hardest chapter: a devastating store fire that destroyed data and forced a paper-by-paper rebuild. Out of that crisis came a real estate strategy—secure options to buy, then build equity that funds expansion and remodels across eight states. Larry also shares why he stayed private: fewer compliance constraints, more room to invest in coworker-centric culture, and faster moves on programs that matter.
Looking forward, Larry is chasing the next generation of customers with gaming. Partnering with influencer networks, he’s structuring good-better-best PC offerings that speak to both men and women—because 45% of gamers are women—and positioning RTO’s advantage around service and zero-hiccup coverage that fintech copycats can’t match. He closes with advice for new operators: grow at the speed of your bench, buy property when you can, and lead with outcomes, not objects. And then a reminder worth writing down—work hard, but take time to smell the roses.
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