Скачать или смотреть APRO Webinar - The RTO Revolution

Join co-authors Charles Smitherman (APRO CEO) and Ryan Krass (Wow Brands CEO) for a candid fireside chat on their new book, The RTO Revolution: a sweeping history of the rent-to-own industry and a timely case for why its story matters right now.

In this conversation, they unpack what sparked the project, how the industry’s “oral tradition” is at risk of disappearing, and why documenting RTO’s past is also a strategy for the future. From early roots (pianos, sewing machines, and hire-purchase agreements) to today’s fast-moving product cycles (yes, gaming computers), the authors explore how rent-to-own has continually evolved to expand access to life-changing household and technology essentials.

They also dig into the advocacy and policy angle: how outdated narratives keep resurfacing in legislative debates, why having a shared factual foundation matters, and how modern AI-powered search is reshaping the way the public, regulators, and consumers discover information. The core message: if the industry doesn’t tell its story, someone else will.

In this webinar, you’ll hear about:

✅ Why the book was written and why timing matters now
✅ Preserving institutional memory and capturing stories before they’re lost
✅ How RTO’s product evolution mirrors cultural and technology shifts
✅ The advocacy landscape: recurring misconceptions and policy challenges
✅ Why “searchability” is the new visibility in an AI-driven world
✅ Where to find the book and how proceeds support APRO’s scholarship fund

📘 Book: The RTO Revolution by Charles Smitherman and Ryan Krass
🎙️ Featuring discussion of the RTO Legends interviews and industry archive preservation
🛠️ Key theme: building a durable, searchable foundation for education, advocacy, and pride in the business

Like, subscribe, and share if you want more conversations on RTO advocacy, leadership, and the future of technology in the industry.