Our first store went unexpectedly well. It took off like it had wings.
Jim Forker, Premier Rental Purchase Franchisee

photo © RTO online Jim Forker at the recent Premier Companies Convention in Miami, Florida. See a complete photo gallery from the convention here (159 pics).

Jim Forker put 24 years of RTO savvy to work for himself – and himself alone – when he opened his first Premier Rental-Purchase store in Benton Harbor, Michigan over 15 months ago. Back for round two with a second store, he is finding success is easier than he thought. Listen to Podcast interviews with nine Premier Franchisees and Executives here; See a complete photo gallery from the recent Premier Convention in Miami, Florida here -159 pics.

“It was time to venture out on my own and secure a future that I could control, not leave to someone else,” he says of his first steps toward business ownership. Known for saying, “I want to make my millions instead of making millions for other people,” he was inspired by fellow Premier store owner and friend Mike Lewis to launch the beginning of a multi-store operation. And he’s realized success he hadn’t counted on.
“The first store went unexpectedly well,” he says.” It took off like it had wings.”

He credits his success to prioritizing customer service and to hiring quality employees who do the same.

“They believe in what I am trying to accomplish as a small business owner. They have the same goals.”

Matthew Chamberlain

And he gives credit to Premier’s help getting him underway with a successful SBA business plan. “It was something I had never done.” But Premier helped him through that, and Jim found the rest of the process “very easy going.”

Although ahead of schedule, his plan to open a second store hatched, and just after the new year he opened a Premier store in Sturgis, Mich.

“I always planned to open a second store,” says Jim. “I’m not thinking small. I wanted to think big. I have managed a multi-unit operation for someone else for 12 years. I know what one store can do, and that gives me the drive to go forward with more.”

Jim isn’t alone this time, however. He has partnered with Matthew Chamberlain, a former employee of his back when both worked for one of the big chains. Matt, an eight-year RTO veteran and most recently store manager, was ready to pursue his dreams and jumped on the opportunity to go into business when Jim presented him with it.

“Jim came to me back in September,” says Matt. “Over the years my company had cut back the freedom of store managers. We weren’t involved in ordering any more and things were really too tight. There were clamps on everything. I had the title but no entrepreneurial spirit left. Jim had been my market manager and boss, and it was a no-brainer when he came with the proposition.”

Jim had discovered that opening his first Premier store was a streamlined effort. “The steps are all laid out for you. You just follow them.” From the bank presentation to leasing agreements, advertising to human resources, Jim has found Premier to be full service.

“After setting up the first store, I found it couldn’t have been easier with the second store. I already had the contacts and the vendors.” And Jim had a good history with Benton Harbor.

“With the second loan, we walked right into the bank with paperwork, and because of our good record, we walked out with our loan. It was easy.”

Jim adds that the Premier name and reputation helped as well.

“Premier stands for quality. It stands for being the best. As Premier continues to expand, more people know and trust you as a Premier dealer.”

We haven’t heard the last from Jim or Matt. Matt enjoys being the entrepreneur he was meant to be, and Jim is already mapping out what’s next for his Premier operations in Michigan.

Jim says, “I like to go to smaller communities, give great customer services, give products at a great price and beat the heck out of competitors!”