A Better Rent-To-Own System PART 2

RTO data can feel like a buzzkill until you realize it can answer the questions that decide your next decade: how fast customers actually pay off, where delinquency really comes from, what repossessions do to returns, and how confident you can be when you ask a bank or investor for capital. We dig into what it means to finally have access to payoff and repossession history at a granular level and how portfolio modeling changes when you stop relying on rough averages.

We also connect the dots from analytics to the real world of selling sheds. Lot sets, inventory choices, and even paint and coatings aren’t just “preferences” when you can track what moves in a market and what creates the best first impression from the road. The shed industry is getting more organized, and better systems make it easier to quote, contract, schedule delivery, and keep clean records that turn into usable reporting.

Then we widen the lens into leadership and brand. We talk culture made visible, the power of listening, and why hard conversations are a feature, not a flaw. We also introduce Wild Belief Co and the idea that differentiation doesn’t come from louder content, it comes from clarity, courage, and believing what you’re building.

If you got value from the conversation, subscribe to the show, share it with someone in the shed business, and leave a review so more builders, dealers, and RTO teams can find it. What’s one metric or habit you want to improve this year?

For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.

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To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.

This episodes Sponsors:
Studio Sponsor: Shed Pro

Identigrow
Solar Blaster
Cardinal Manufacturing
Digital Shed Builder
Pittsburgh Paints Co

Transcript

Why Data Matters In RTO

INTRO 0:00

Hello and welcome back to the Shed Geek Podcast. Here's a message from our studio sponsor. Let's be real. Running a shed business today isn't just about building great sheds. The industry is changing fast. We're all feeling the squeeze, competing for fewer buyers, while expectations keep climbing. And yet I hear from many of you that you are still juggling spreadsheets, clunky software, or disconnected systems. You're spending more time managing chaos than actually growing your business. That's why I want to talk to you about our studio sponsor, ShedPro. If you're not already using them, I really think you should check them out. ShedPro combines your 3D configurator, point of sale, RTO contracts, inventory, deliveries, and dealer tools all in one platform. They even integrate cleanly into our Shed Geek marketing solutions. From website leads, to final delivery, you can quote, contract, collect payment, and schedule delivery in one clean workflow. No more double entries, no more back and forth chaos. Quoting is faster, orders are cleaner. And instead of chasing down paperwork, you're actually running your business. And if you mention ShedGeek, you'll get 25% off all setup fees. Check it out at shedpro.co/ShedGeek. Thank you, ShedPro, for being our studio sponsor and honestly for building something that helps the industry.

Shannon 1:33

Welcome back to part two of this episode. If you missed it, go back and check out part one that aired on Wednesday. Someone said something the other day about data, you know, like it was it was it was almost probably could be perceived as a bit of a negative thing, you know, like that data nerds are trying to turn it into the car industry. I don't think anybody's trying to turn the shed industry into anything. I think people are looking for solutions and data often is the answer. And I'm the first one to criticize it around the office. So, like Cord will hear me be like, who cares about data? We care about creativity around here, you know. Cord's like, no, we need solid ideas that have solid answers. And I'm like, nah. Why is that important? You need to be able to know.

Craig Felker 2:15

Cord's like, okay, you got all that data. What are you gonna do with it? You got all the shed industry data? We're gonna resell a shed to somebody who's on rental.

Shannon 2:23

Cord is very good. Cord is very good at one plus one is two, and I'm like, could be. Could be, could be. That's what they said.

Duane Burkholder 2:30

You guys are teeing up uh one of my passion projects because it I really get excited about this because we actually have access to our data in a way now that we've never had before. One of the things I've always wanted to know is so for some of these rent-owned companies who have been in business for quite a number of years, is all the payoff data is there, all the repossession data is there. We know time frames of when do customers actually pay off. What is in in the repossession side, we can now tell you start date and end date of that contract, along with the number of payments that have been made and when those payments have actually been made, and be able to take that data and begin to start to model what a portfolio can do. It is I've this has been one of the dreams I've had from for quite a number of years because I think one of the questions that particularly on the funding side and working with your bank or working with you know um investors is to say, okay, so I'm gonna give you X amount of money. How how's that money gonna perform for me as a as a rent-to-one company? We can now do that. And it gets that part gets me really, really excited. Because I said I'm a bit of a data nerd. And so being able to take this kind of level of data and begin to do projections based on real historical data, not what, like, not just looking at your the amount of that's in your portfolio and saying, okay, we should get this amount of money. No, based on all the entire history that you as you run as a rent-on company, what is the historical performance of a rent owned company? Interesting to know most companies from uh underneath the hood perform somewhat the same from a from a payoff data standpoint. The unknown piece across most companies is repossession side and past due numbers. But I can now take a number of companies inside of our management portfolio and say, I can model this data. I can actually build reporting that can actually answer these questions now. And I gets me I get really excited about this because it's and I know it's really nerdy, and I know it's really like it, it's it you know it it's but it gets me really, really excited to be able to actually to play with models now and say, okay, you know, if we do this with invested money, if we do this with just with the collection performance, what can actually happen 20 years out into the future? It's and to start to see those numbers move and how much that moves based on one percent difference in your collection model, like it's huge.

A Paint Detour That Proves

Cord 5:21

I'm about to jump out of my socks, Duane, because I continue to say that the RTO historic data is probably also the best way to model overall shed market performance, not just RTO performance, but you should be able to model the actual the actual performance of the industry uh using historical RTO data. We know that the penetration is relatively stable, right? Like we should we should be able to make some like very bold claims about what next year's shed market is, and you should be able to start, you should be able to start, you know, grading the performance of your own company of dealers, not just based on total units sold, but based on like, well, what do we know about that market? Well, gosh, we have a lot of historic data that should tell us um, you know, how many sheds were sold, um, you know, what the what the repo rate was on those, like all of the financial stuff, but also just what was the size of it. You know, like you can accurately, if you have the historic data and the data sets big enough, like this industry could really like grow up kind of overnight. You've got me so excited. You've made such a good first impression, and so I'm gonna do a real smooth transition here because all of us in the shed industry know that for customers, paint is the ultimate first impression. It's what you see from the road. But for those of us who work in sheds and who manufacture and sell sheds, we know that that's only part of the equation. It's not just the color you see on the outside, it's the service that you get and the quality that you get in those paints, stains, and coverings. So, Pittsburgh Paints has come to uh the shed industry with a very specific and a very great program, the True Industrial and True Shed Max Shed Program, which is not just a series of coatings that broke out of the light industrial coatings uh that PPG had offered in the past. Whenever they were PPG, but they're not anymore. They're Pittsburgh Paints. But, they broke out those coatings, they're great. And more than that, uh they have a dedicated team. This is a company that is dedicated to the shed industry, making sure that they are serving the real needs, uh, the way that the shed industry operates, not just passing off other coatings that were either meant for industrial use or for home use uh as shed paints, coatings, and coverings. So, please give those guys a call. That is Jamie and Carter over at Pittsburgh Paints. And that, my friends, is a great example of a smooth transition in the middle of a riveting conversation. And thank you all so much for allowing me to do it. What's their phone number?

Shannon 8:04

If I don't know. Not off the top of my head, I don't know. But sorry.

Cord 8:09

Oh, it's not in the copy. It's not in the copy. But I will tell you, Carter Burns. Carter and Jamie. Carter's on Facebook. They're not criminals. They're great guys.

Shannon 8:18

It's data. If a conversation about uh uh RTO data doesn't make you think of paint coverings, what are you even doing? That's my question.

Cord 8:28

Well, thank you guys for indulging me.

Shannon 8:31

But uh I mean, really, the tough way to get a live read in is when we're talking about data and you're like, let's get on that paint covering conversation.

Cord 8:39

But this is such a great first impression, Shannon. That's the key. Such a great first impression of only.

Craig Felker 8:45

The way you did the first impression into paint was flawless. Do you understand the level of restraint I had to not? I was like, I gotta help him do this ad because that was so good. I want to just hype it up.

Cord 8:57

I feel like the two of us being on a podcast together is really just a uh a battle to see who gets invited to MC these various events across the industry. So, if you're the NSRA, if you're on that board.

Shannon 9:11

Good luck, my friend. Now you know we can tie data straight into paint conversation. Oh my goodness. I'm just easy. I was like, that's got to be a perfect paint colors right here.

Duane Burkholder 9:27

I'll tie your paint conversation right in because it's one of the things that we track inside of the asset record. Boom! Wow. I bet there's a difference based on your paint style.

Cord 9:37

I bet there's a difference in repos depending on paint. I bet these coastals never get re-poed. Never get repo.

Craig Felker 9:43

Shout out back in the day. Listen, real talk. When Kyle and I got into the industry, there was a guy who, and this guy, legend, guy's name's Rob Eaton. Okay, there you go. Okay. What did you think I was gonna say? I don't know.

Kyle Summers 9:57

Go ahead.

Craig Felker 9:58

You remember Rob, Shannon? Yeah, absolutely. Rob was um was one of those guys, couldn't read a room, but he could read all the books. Like, you know what I mean?

Kyle Summers 10:08

That's true.

Craig Felker 10:08

That was and he had read them all because he was the smartest guy in the room. But Rob had the idea when you set up a uh a lot set, we only set up in that particular geography based on what has sold, what color, what size. And he did that in 2017. Yeah. And so we had lot sets that were based on actual data. Yep. And I have no idea how he got that data because we didn't have a system.

Kyle Summers 10:39

Never sold any of those inventory buildings, didn't we? Shannon.

Shannon 10:42

Not here where you want earth tones, in Southern Illinois. We just could not get a coastal company to cut that. The coastal colors.

Craig Felker 10:49

Guys, those are my that was my idea. You know, it was here.

Shannon 10:53

I still, I still do grays and earth tones, and we just had a great episode with Ruth Ann over there at Pittsburgh. And she look, she was uh, you know, a professional whenever it came to like color. And I was like, I never realized how much it actually affects sales. But if you can report that, if you can actually show that, you know, Cord was talking about something earlier about, and I was like, that ties into everything. It ties into having that data set, uh, ties into your ability to borrow uh as an RTO company. It ties into your re-pos, it ties into what your dealers are actually carrying on their lot. Yeah. I mean, data is not the enemy. I know I'm the last guy in line, don't get me wrong, to like focus on it. But if you do not have a target, I do not understand what you're shooting at. It's either a shotgun blast or a rifle approach, and we talk about that all the time in the office. It's like, what are we actually trying to accomplish here today? Um, and if you don't have that data, and this industry is getting more mature, it's just growing up, it's getting more organized. As it gets more organized, it begs for these opportunities for people to step in and feel those things. And sounds like that's what you guys have done. I wish I was that smart, but um, we do our best to talk about you guys, at least in a good way.

Kyle Summers 12:06

Do you know how I realize you're more mature than I am? The way he pronounces mature? I say mature. Mature? Mature. I think mature is fancier.

Shannon 12:18

That's right.

Craig Felker 12:19

It is. That's my favorite way you could say mature.

Shannon 12:22

I I'm sure when people look at me, the mature, mature, mature, whatever, that's the first thing that comes to mind.

Kyle Summers 12:28

Mature. II liked it. I'm gonna buy some Pittsburgh paints.

Cord 12:32

There you go.

Kyle Summers 12:32

Because of this.

Shannon 12:33

Tell them Shed Geek sent you. I will.

Kyle Summers 12:35

I will.

Craig Felker 12:36

I like it.

Cord 12:37

I'm not gonna read it again. I pulled it up, but you know what? There's too many.

Craig Felker 12:40

I was hoping there's a promo code. You know what I mean? Maybe next time.

Shannon 12:44

Well, I tell you what, you know, like love these live ad reads. So, for anybody who seriously does want to stay in front of the audience, we appreciate that. We do appreciate when you tell them Shed Geek sent you. But what else are you guys doing?

Craig Felker 12:55

And if you need a hype guy, I'm willing to come on and do live reads. Just know that. For a small listen, it's interesting. I'll do it. Two easy payments, one incredibly difficult payment, but it will be hype. I will uh listen, two easy and one difficult.

Shannon 13:13

I'll tell you what, it sounds like a perfect scenario because I got all this money and I've just can't figure out how to get rid of it. I knew that. That's why we would do that.

Craig Felker 13:20

Well, just charge more for the ad. Just clean my fee in the ad.

Shannon 13:23

So, what else are you guys doing? I mean, like, look, it's oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead anyway.

Duane Burkholder 13:29

No, and I was gonna say once I'm mature, I'm gonna have money like uh Shannon has there, where I just don't know.

Shannon 13:34

I'll tell you what, it's a burden. You don't want it, don't I?

Duane Burkholder 13:37

It's uh it's a burden.

Shannon 13:38

More money, more problems. Yeah, uh, I mean, it's a struggle to get rid of it half the time. Um but uh I mean, like you guys are the obvious partners. It just we see the yin yang here, right? Like we see where you guys like work off of each other's energy. We see where it's gonna be successful. I'm curious about I mean, unless you guys have more that you wanted to talk about on Only, I'm curious about like these other projects that you guys are doing.

Craig Felker 14:04

We're crazy right now, man. We just thought, you know, let's do, you know, let's how many water bottles do you need? You've got to stay hydrated, folks. You can't have silky smooth skin like this. He's got three water bottles. Thank you, Leann. And a cup of coffee. Leah, see that's my point right there. That's Leann right there. Always reaffirming. Yeah, she's got your back. You know what I mean? She feels the pressure Kyle's giving me.

Kyle Summers 14:27

Don't enable him, Leann. Don't enable him.

AD-IDENTIGROW 14:30

Oh no. Sam, what's going on? Are you okay? Yes, I'm fine, Lisa. I was just trying to get a screwdriver and all this other stuff fell down. I'm ready to go buy a shed so we can have some space in this garage again. I agree. I keep looking at the shed Mr. Jenkins bought. Let's ask him where I got his. Howdy, neighbor. We're wondering, how do you like your shed? I love it. It's exactly what I needed, and I couldn't have asked for a better service. And where did you get it? I can't remember. Let me check. Something this nice will probably have the builder's name on it somewhere. No, I'm sorry. I can't find a name anywhere. Well, we finally got a shed. Yes. I just hope we're happy. The thing is a lot more shoddy than I expected. And I'm sure I told them I wanted a window, but they didn't have it in the paperwork, so I couldn't argue. Boy, is this a lousy shed. We haven't even had it two years, have we? Barely. It was just a bad deal all the way around. Mr. Jenkins told me the other day that he likes his shed so much he wants to get a second one, but he still can't remember where he got it. Your product is your best advertising. At Identigrow, we provide nameplates that ensure your quality products are never forgotten. Identify your products and grow your business. For more information, visit identigrow.com. Or give them a call at 540-283-9193.

AD-SOLAR BLASTER 16:14

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Craig Felker 18:05

You know, no secret. Kyle and I have known each other. Well, maybe it is a secret. I'll say this story. Um you know this.

Shannon 18:11

I was about to say, I know this, but maybe the industry doesn't know how far y'all go back.

Craig Felker 18:15

24 years ago, um we and we had lunch with his brother today, which is funny because he was the lead singer. Kyle was on bass, and they were a band. J Cold on J C P C, which sounds pretty, pretty, pretty sniffed. That's nifty. Yeah, it totally is. Jesus Christ Power Company. We were electric. Very mature.

Cord 18:37

I like it. Very mature. 13, man. Very mature. And did you say manure? No, mature. Mature. Mateur. It's off the rails.

Craig Felker 18:50

But that's when I met Kyle. And Kyle was like 11, Pentecostal. Can we quit this? No, it's good. It's good. And uh I was in a band. Uh some people know I, you know, I eventually we were terrible then, by the way. They were, they lost. We were not good. And they and JCPC, I knew we were beat when the guy went behind his back with the guitar solo in the band contest, and it was to trading my sorrows to our Daryl Evans. I don't even know how he does it. But I was like, uh respect, you know, and um, and to this day I have an honorable mention uh from 2002, yeah, where they beat us, and I keep it next to like you know, the album where we eventually, you know. I always tell people we were really bad, and then eventually we were just less bad, but we still probably just depends on your perspective. But um that's where Kyle and I met.

Kyle Summers 19:42

They went on the tour with you know, like Newsboys and Switchfoot, and they played places like that. Snoop Dogg. Snoop Dogg definitely. Definitely

Cord 19:50

I was like, you see my eyes get big. And uh I was like, no way, not Snoop Dogg.

Craig Felker 19:54

Hey, real story, we played in Kansas City the night after Little Wayne. And if you're listening to this and you don't know who Little Wayne is, between 2007 and 2012, do not go listen to like if you're in this industry, that is not who we are. But they had been there the night before, and we were in their um we were in their uh green room, and um and we were not like them. I will just say that. Um that was a really weird sidebar, if I'm honest with you. But um so we've known each other for a long time. Um when I got into the industry, Shannon, you were part. I mean, we've talked about this before, but spent four plus years on the manufacturing side. Um Kyle saw me at the uh Christmas parade, Paducah Christmas parade, where we had built a double decker uh just for the Christmas parade because we definitely went all out, as you can imagine. It was a it was a show. Um and Kyle looked at me and said, What? I said, What are you doing? And what did I say?

Kyle Summers 21:00

Call me. It's weird. That that was it. That's how I got in the industry.

Craig Felker 21:06

That was it. And uh and I had been in the industry maybe a year.

Kyle Summers 21:09

Yeah.

Craig Felker 21:10

And then Kyle comes on, Shannon eventually comes on. Again, a who's who for a while there. I mean, you think about all the people that came through that uh in that moment. But so fast forward, I go for four years and do banking, and then Kyle calls um and a large. What are you doing? Jim Coleman's like, you should too you should like this industry's not crazy enough. We need you back. Um and that's and so we've been together for the last few years uh at JMAG, uh deeply aligned um with them. And the beginning of the year, this this fantastic opportunity obviously to join and to build something and to partner and to be um you know part owners with only and with Burke holder management, which by the way, shout out four percent delinquency right now on the Burkholder management side. That's great. Wow four percent and here's why because they're awesome. Execution. So if you're looking for management services and you want four percent, because that's good for your money and your portfolio, give us a cow.

Kyle Summers 22:07

Um, but on top of that, you're supposed to read that Cord no. Nobody gave me a script.

Craig Felker 22:17

Truly, four percent. Yeah, that's really good. You gotta read it in that accent. Duane is like, what have we done? Um I don't know. I'm beginning to wonder. Yeah. By the way, four percent is no joke. That's some real-time, like incredible portfolio performance.

Cord 22:36

But um, I thought you were gonna dissect the accent. No, which went strangely from like New York, Italian down to like Biloxy, like uh uh antebellum. It switched in the middle. You know what I mean? It it's what it does. I wish it ended with a little like twang.

Craig Felker 22:55

I wish I wish I would tell you that that's exactly what I was going to tell you. It's like it's just gone with the wind.

Cord 23:08

Okay. It started with like four percent, and then it ended with four percent. Anyway, four percent, that's fantastic. Give me a script.

Launching Wild Belief Co

Craig Felker 23:15

Worst setup for the next three minutes ago, he asked me, What did what are you doing else? What else we did? So, um Kyle and I have obviously been have known each other for a long time and had a deep belief. And part of this new transition for us is also us launching um uh uh a company that Wild Belief Co. Um You guys obviously know we did Wild Wednesday last year, and Wild Belief uh is gonna exist uh to do something I think we think unique in the industry. Because there's uh plenty of companies that do marketing. Um what we want to do is uh help give leaders and companies the courage to be themselves. We want to give them clarity, help them find the clarity because you know if it's confusing, you're losing. And we want to give them and help them build influence that's felt not forgotten. That sounds like a vision. It is. How do I say that better? We want to help leaders think less because people often leave leaders, they don't leave jobs. We want to help companies understand from the beginning. Like people say, Craig, you you're really good at storytelling. It's like I'm not, I'm really good at believing. I'm just believing what I'm aligned with, and that is coming from my poor, so I'm not having to like I don't have it and I hope I'm sound I don't sound like I'm over arrogant here because I'm not. There's plenty of things I'm not good at.

Shannon 24:43

Perfect amount of arrogance. Perfect amount of architect.

Craig Felker 24:44

Okay, perfect amount. Good. I was just looking for just a dash. But I the older I get, the older I get, the more I realize who I am and who I'm not, right? But like when I believe something, it just comes through the pores. And leaders who believe lead differently.

Shannon 24:59

I can not, I serious, on a serious note, I can relate to that. Um Shannon, you talk a lot or you do a podcast. Of course, I do. And sorry, and the re and the reality is, you know, it's because I listen twice as much. And I think that's the thing that people don't understand is like once you absorb so much, you feel obligated to speak. And I've heard an old saying that says, if what you have to say isn't doesn't improve upon the silence, then it's better to just be quiet. And so, like, if you're going to like put yourself and manifest yourself into a position to where you're trying to lead thought or at least lead conversation through some level of thought, it's because you've sat back and studied on it to some unrealistic amount of time that no one else would dare to spend on it. And when you care about it that much, it just pours out of you. You're like, I'm sorry, I'm talking because I'm passionate about it.

Craig Felker 25:52

And that sales, it's influence because of belief.

Shannon 25:54

Yeah.

Craig Felker 25:55

And so what the heck does that mean? What are we gonna do? It's like we're trying to figure it out. Um Website's not even done yet.

Cord 26:04

It's yet a new like sweeping the sidewalk outside.

Shannon 26:08

Hey there, fella. Like, like, like Duane, do Duane and Leeann are over here like, I don't know how we could crash and burn any harder. They love it. What did we do? They love it.

Duane Burkholder 26:21

But all I'm all I'm gonna say is quarterly planning and L10 meetings are quite interesting. I'm sure.

Shannon 26:28

But it's fun. I bet you're having fun. And I'll and I'll tell you what, there's just not, and I think it was Jim that told me this. And Craig, you're just the perfect depiction of this. Like, we just don't have enough fun in this industry. Like, I really believe that like we're so stoic that sometimes, I mean, like, we are the frozen chosen. I mean, it's just about as real as it gets. Like, we just like and of course Kyle knows about my bad joking behaviors, but like I believe that like yeah, bad timing, but I mean, like, why aren't we supposed to laugh? Why aren't we supposed to have fun? And Craig, you're like the you know, the top pinnacle of that. I feel like uh um I love your energy, I love what you guys do. Kyle, same. I mean, like we've worked together so long that like me and you can't get anything done because we laugh half the time. Yeah, yeah. Uh I mean that's just a that's just a reality. We're usually joking and laughing and cutting up, but what you're saying is very personal to me because it's real. It just pours out of you and you don't even know how you're doing it. You just genuinely want to help people.

Cord 27:28

But it's opportunity. That's the thing that like you're grabbing at, right? Is like, yes. That's the part you're real good at too. Yes, the industry is like, you know, as a whole, um, you know, is stuck in place a lot of the time and is you know obsessed with um all the like very practical things, cost cutting. You know what I mean? Like it's obsessed with like this very like I mean, there's you know, technically it's like the Chicago School of Economics versus like the European school, where like you truly believe that like once you have a system, you just cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, and you're left with you're left with excess. It's like actually the excess is derived from going and getting doing the things that other people are unwilling to do, right? And I mean only is a great example right here. I can only imagine only I can only imagine that you're gonna owe us so much money for sending all this.

Craig Felker 28:28

You're crossing two lines that are you're crossing pretty much in sponsors.

Cord 28:32

I can only imagine that you guys are gonna do that with all these other projects to push people.

Kyle Summers 28:40

Shane that there is wallet. Don't sing it, we'll have to pay them.

Cord 28:46

But anyway, I guess what I'm saying is you know, having the attitude that going above and beyond and going the extra distance and testing new ideas and having the energy that actually winds up culminating in those ideas is such an opportunity in this industry.

Craig Felker 29:05

Well, you guys know this. You've heard me say in the sea of same what wins. And a brand really is the culture made visible. And to stand out, you gotta go all the way back to the beginning. We don't we don't need a whole lot more content without purpose.

Shannon 29:23

Substance. Yeah.

Craig Felker 29:25

And so, what are we gonna do at Wild Belief Co. You know, we joke, we don't know. We know we uh it's gonna look like this. We're gonna help companies either audit, because how many people in this industry don't have the core values, mission, and vision? Or they'll say, We've got them, but we don't know where they are. Or how are they even uh uh building and differentiating themselves from everybody else because it's not quality. Everybody's got quality, everybody's got relationships. Um how do they do that? And guess, guys, we don't that's not something that we create. We discover that. We got to help people discover who they are and then give them the courage to be themselves, express it, express it, and most people don't have the courage. There's we're insecure, there's plenty. So, we want to help them discover now. We can twit listen, we know how to make things sound, you know. There's only how many times is integrity and trust on it, you know what I mean? Like we could say that in a better way, uh, as a core value. But how do we help companies figure that out? And then two, how do we help them deploy it so that their message echoes and carries? That sounds like a product name. Come on, echo. Where's the reverb? I needed it, Duane. Um, we're gonna do that. We're gonna help uh a small amount of companies that um with carrying that message out. We're gonna turn around and do some deep partnership where we really coach leaders um and how to set up a rhythm. But it starts at that foundation. We'll probably do some keynote speaking. Kyle, what else are we gonna do, man? I think that's it. Go ahead, Duane. Yeah.

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Duane Burkholder 33:05

Yeah, rounding out the humor, because Craig and Kyle both bring a lot of energy. Craig brings a ton of fun energy, but we've had some of the coolest, deepest conversations. Um, kind of working through what does it look like to work together. And there's just we put everything on the table, have hard conversations. And I think you know, while Belief Co is gonna bring a lot of things for companies with branding, with leadership, I think one of the coolest things is two guys that are not scared of getting in and having really hard conversations, not afraid to speak truth, um, not afraid to uh not afraid to tell you where you might need a change. And it's been fun to, you know, we've had a lot of fun. We've had a lot of joking around. We have we love to we love to bring the humor, but it also two guys that aren't afraid to really have good conversation and be able to talk deep spiritual things, talk deep business things, and don't shy away from it.

Shannon 34:19

It's awesome. Humor feels humor feels best received uh when you can measure it against the melancholy of your day. Like who knows whenever you're having a good day until you've had a bad day or until, you know, and um I to me that's what the humor does is you know, a reminder not to take yourself too serious because it's so easy for all of us to do that, especially when you're in business, especially when you're helping other people with business. And uh uh we talk, you know, from ministry to comedy to business. And I this is something I remember specifically from Craig in the Hopkinsville uh shed show was whenever we sit down to eat. I know what you're gonna say. And uh Craig said, uh, why are you separating your church life and then your personal life and then your business life? Don't they all run together? And I was like, what? No, no, I mean, like, you know, there's this box, there's this box, there's this box. And i really was a foundational point for me to realize that like I can talk about Jesus in business, but I can also talk about business in church, and I can also talk about when we're you know, like all of those things began to like make sense for me after that. So I don't know if you if I've told you that before, but yeah, it was uh it was sure it was me. It's a guy that looked just like you're gonna look and do wise about it. Uh no, it was uh and I and I believe that Mexican restaurant, I remember it. It was, it was. Uh, and I believe that I see both of you guys as leaders uh uh draw inspiration from the things that you do. And I think the most beautiful thing about this industry is that uh through all the ebbs and flows that you can have a real conversation, whether it's about business or about your faith or about laughter. And I think that's been expressed here today pretty easily. I mean, uh the goal here is not just to make you laugh. The goal here is to talk to you about how this business is uh becoming, you know, a bigger business. I'm not even gonna say mature anymore. I got a complex sorry, I'm sorry. Sorry. Uh but it's becoming, you know, it's very grown up and uh and there are needs. And like all the things you're talking about here today are things that are near and dear to us because we do love this industry and the expansion of this industry where you're starting to see overflow into just other industries touching in uh post-frame, you know, metal, like all of this stuff is like, and these solutions exist for all of those because uh Simon Sinek says if um you know businesses are made up a hundred percent by people. And if you don't know people, you don't know business. And I think that's to me what grabs me the most is like the people first. That's why I want to sit down with you and do a podcast. I believe everyone has a unique story. Like I'm entertained by your testimony, and I think others are too. I think that's why people listen, is because they want to listen in the comfort of their truck while they're hauling a shed or hammering a nail, and they don't want the outside world to you know absorb what their thoughts are whenever they hear these things. Someone out there is gonna have like you know an amazing product in the next year that none of us thought about. And it's only because they sat back and educated themselves and studied and became passionate about something and eventually took that step to say, I'm here, I've got this product, it's called only, you know.

Kyle Summers 37:42

Well, and that taps into two things, but if someone comes out with another only, though, that's you can't do that. That's gonna be a problem.

Where To Find Only

Craig Felker 37:50

Um somebody once said that if I can get you to laugh, I can get you to listen. That's good. And all of this stuff around leadership, all of this stuff around culture, I mean, you guys know I'm passionate about that. It all boils down to we come back and say, hey, communicate, everybody's gotta communicate better. And what it really is do you have a rhythm of listening? That's it. Do you have an intentional path for listening? Um so was what you said there. And um I think I believe in this industry, so many people genuinely care. So many people have a faith, um, they're not afraid to hide it. Um and if we can just help people uh have the tools uh to deploy that better, then um I think I think this industry and all these companies will be better. And I would say this, we don't have it all figured out, but I have um I've been a part of great leadership, I've been a part of leadership that could have been better. And um and I I'm certainly not uh I've not arrived, but uh it's definitely a continued path that I want to help people uh learn from things that I've messed up and done and vice versa. So what do you think, Kyle? I want to hear from Kyle, man.

Kyle Summers 39:18

Well, I was gonna say um two things. I'm gonna plug two things. Okay if you want to know more about only, go to onlyrto.com or give us a call. Let's I'm gonna give you my cell phone 618-638-5422. If you want to learn more about Wild Belief Co., we don't have a website yet, so but it will be it will be aired. So Wildbeliefco.com or call Craig. I don't know your number. Sorry. Perfect. 911. That sounds like sounds like the read that Cord. He's like, give him a call.

Craig Felker 39:52

And here's the thing like speaking of first impressions, call Cord, make a great impression, he'll get with us.

Kyle Summers 39:59

That's right. Take his cut, but I'll I do real quick, I do want to say this though for real. Um I haven't been uh in the podcast in two years, three years. Yeah. How long has it been? It's been a while.

Shannon 40:12

We're in year six now. I know that sounds crazy, but we started March of 21.

Kyle Summers 40:16

Good nice.

Shannon 40:17

That's crazy to think about, isn't it? Like over 400 episodes.

Kyle Summers 40:20

So then four years. I haven't been in this in four years. Probably four, yeah. Right in four years. And to see how far you've brought it is really, really cool, dude. Um, to see the connections you've made, to see the people that have um even in my life, like people still I haven't been on it in four years, and people still are like, dude, are you are you the guy that was on the Shag Geek podcast? I'm like, how do you even know that still? Like, it's been so long. Like the impression you've made on the industry, um it it's making waves, and it's really awesome to see and to see how far it's come. Because I mean I remember having a conversation with you in in in your shed. Okay. For real, in your shed, in your backyard about wanting to do the podcast, and then to see you go out and buy the like actually buy the equipment. I was like, okay, that's when I got nerdy. Like, okay, this is cool. Like, okay, let's do it. And just to see, like, from that moment to where we're at today is you know, that was that's awesome, man.

Shannon 41:30

Thank you. First of all, thank you. Uh I appreciate that. And this wouldn't be here without you. I mean, that that first year, I felt like we just hit it really hard, and we were both two passionate people searching for something, you know, and it was it was great that we were able to do that together. And I do I admire that time that we had together. Me and you have good chemistry on the mic. I mean, I I'm not afraid to say that if it sounds arrogant, you know, just forgive me, but we have great chemistry on the mic.

Kyle Summers 41:56

Great chemistry Cord. Did you hear that?

Craig Felker 41:59

Just on the microphone.

Shannon 42:00

Very mature, very mature, mature chemistry. And but I but I do uh I do miss it. And uh, you know, I'm so I'm proud of you. I'm so happy for you an the uh things that that that you've accomplished through your professional career. Like me and you've had enough conversations going down the road in the car that like I know your heart, you know what I mean? Uh I know where you stand, I know what who you are, and uh super happy for you too, man. And uh you're welcome on any time. I mean, like both of you guys are only. You guys are welcome on any time. We'll be back next week, you know.

Cord 42:32

I'd like to Duane, I'd like to have you on for I'm trying to put together a uh shed market projection episode. So seriously, I think it'd be great to just kind of dive into like what data would be needed, uh uh approach to that. Anyway, that's a separate thing. But Duane, if you'd like to do that, I would I would really enjoy continuing that conversation.

Duane Burkholder 42:54

Well, talk to Kyle. He's my manager, and never gave you the phone number.

Craig Felker 43:01

I have a press release to you in a uh a new photo.

Shannon 43:06

Uh well, it's I mean, to me, it's been a great episode. I think there's two parts here easy. I know we've taken a lot of you guys this Thursday evening, and I know you guys are on East Coast, so it's even later there. You're probably wanting to go get dinner. I love the product, Duane. I love you talking about it four or five months ago whenever you even briefly discussed it. And even seeing you at that same Charlotte uh uh Shed Hauler's Bash was a great time sitting and talking with you guys. And uh I think it's great. I think you guys are, you know, uh uh that Mount Rushmore of the shed industry, all the time that you guys have had into it. Your management services now running into like this extended help for people who need it uh in the RTO world. If you're an uh an RTO company, take notice uh only is here. And uh, I got a feeling they're gonna do really, really big things. So thank you guys for joining us. It does mean a lot that you sit down and share your story with us. And your expertise as well to the industry.

Kyle Summers 44:03

And thanks, Craig, for just being here. Yeah, thank thanks, Craig. Appreciate you being here. Oh no, he said their expertise. I was just as a dig, is all it was. I wasn't trying to. I see what you said there. Yeah. Thanks for expertise. And thank you, Craig. You guys are nerds.

Shannon 44:21

I'm sorry. I really have enjoyed myself here today. Any final thoughts? Any uh anything that you guys honestly want to share with the industry? Any shout-outs or any questions, comments, uh anything at all? Feel free.

Cord 44:35

Seems very thorough to me. I think we should have made a point to hear more from Leann. She was like so passionate on a couple of those on a couple of those things.

Leann’s Role Building The Business

Kyle Summers 44:45

Leann is like the like source for everything RTO. She is amazing. Like we didn't even scratch the surface.

Duane Burkholder 44:56

So yeah, she I have to I have to tell a story because if it none of us would be sitting here in this conversation as it's currently sits if it wasn't for Leann. So, I started in in doing rent owned back in 2007. Worked with a uh first got invited to work with a guy named Andrew Weaver, and um he was doing some rent home management. I did it for a while with for about a year with him, and he said, We took on some more management clients, and he looks at me one day and goes, I'm not interested in building a big team. So here, you take these two companies, and I'll take these two companies, and you go home and do your own thing. And I'm like, I'm 20-something years old, and I'm like, how hard could it be? Well, nearly ran that ship into the ground at one point, and I did it kind of as a as by myself for quite a while, and just got really burnt out with answering all the phones, doing everything all by myself. Uh, we actually had hired some um some individuals for a little while doing some part-time stuff, and so one day I got this brainy idea, you know, I'm done. I'm walking away from this thing. I'm I am sick and tired of it. I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go do I'm gonna go do sound stuff, I'm gonna go mix, you know, I'm gonna work for a church or something. And she looked at me and said, You're crazy. Wait, what you're just gonna leave this? Like, we can't just leave this, like this business. This thing works really, really well. And I said, Oh, I mean, if you want to do it, you're gonna have it. Otherwise, we're gonna just hand it back to the clients that we have and we're gonna, I'm just walking away. And she picked that thing up and she turned it into a real business. And why where we are today as a company by far is her work. I've it we would have we would have nosedived that thing a long time ago if it was just me. So, I am blessed to have my wife rescue my own business at one point in my life. And where we are today is really due to just the phenomenal operations work that she does, the integrating of the things that we do. I'm a I love big ideas, I'm a visionary, I like I like doing fun things. Um, but please don't strap me down with the operations. And if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be here. So, there you go. If thank you.

Leann Burkholder 47:27

That was too kind. Um, but it's cool that you wanted to come back. And uh I think it's really awesome that you were you rejoined us. So, the gig lasted for a little while, and he came back and he had new ideas. And we always say we balance each other out in a lot of ways. Um, he brings the ideas and the inertia to get us moving, and um I'm good on the other side of carrying it out and making it into a process and bringing it in and finishing it. And now we've got four of us, and we just doubled that again. And we each have such unique skills that I think that's what's the most exciting to me.

Craig Felker 48:06

I uh uh I had an hour uh conversation today with Addison Burkholder. He is uh a 21-year-old uh uh Renaissance man and over IT at Burkholder and happens to be um the son of these two uh cool people. And here's what he said about uh Duane and Leann. He said, My dad is uh the creative force. He has these ideas and he loves to start things and get them going. And my mom makes sure that they stay going and they thrive. They do great things. It was really, really a sweet conversation about um and if you know him, he's uh he's such a cool kid. Like he's way you know, he's yeah, if you were around him, you'd be like, This guy I was such a dork. Still am, but like at that age, it's like oh my gosh, but um how thoughtful he is, and uh it's just really cool to hear him talk about mom and dad kind of off the record.

Cord 49:14

So, Leann, so no, he put it on the record. I was just gonna say thank you for putting up with this boys club today. Like, I mean, I know we've just been sitting here laughing and cutting up, but like, yes, thank you so much.

Shannon 49:29

I don't I don't know we can end any better. Uh any better than that. Uh Duane, Leann, certainly appreciate you guys joining us. Uh lots of content here, lots of good things, lots of uh comedy, but lots of seriousness and lots of help. I love what you guys are doing. I think that we can't do enough in the industry uh to continue to create Duane. That's where uh something that me and you find the same passion in. Uh go out and uh what's Jared say? Go out and do something great for your neighbor. You know, go out and do something great for the comp uh for the industry. I mean, there's so much opportunity here as it's growing. Uh love to see what you guys are doing. Thank you guys for joining us today. We appreciate it. Thank you for having us.

OUTRO 50:09

Thanks again, Shed Pro, for being the Shed Geeks studio sponsor. If you need any more information about Shed Pro or about Shed Geek. just reach out. You can reach us by email at info@Shedgeek.com. Or just go to our website, www.shedgeek.com, and submit a form with your information, and we'll be in contact right away. Thank you again for listening, as always, to today's episode of the Shed Geek Podcast. Thank you and have a blessed day.