There is a certain art to dealing with banks in particular
Mike Hubbard

left to right - Owners Christopher Darden, John Daren, and Mike Hubbard; and Expo Camacho, product distribution specialist.

Christopher Darden literally grew up in the RTO industry. Now he has opened his own Premier rental store, partnering with the man who gave him his start – his dad – John – along with his former supervisor, Mike Hubbard.

“I got into RTO when I was eight years old,” says Christopher who spent time after school in his parents’ rent-to-own store. “I learned proper care and upkeep of product as well as how to interact with the diverse customer base. By the time I was 16, I was out on the truck learning to professionally deliver and service product as well as how to effectively manage customers’ accounts.”

With the opening of their new store, the Dardens and Mike Hubbard combine well over 50 years of RTO experience and bring an interesting history with Premier’s president/CEO Trooper Earle full circle.

John and Donna Darden opened their first store in 1980 with the assistance of the late Willie Talley. John had worked for Willie in Texas and as a result of John’s solid production for his company, Willie wanted to put him in business. Their first store was with ColorTyme and was also the first rent-to-own store in Central Virginia.

“Who better to learn the nuts and bolts from – particularly with regard to sales, service and the financial end of the rental business – than Willie Talley,” said John who also reflects even farther back to his RTO origins with Joe Arnette, current director of training for Rent-A-Center.

“Joe hired me into the business in 1976. He taught me store operations and also instilled in me a highly positive attitude for the rental business. He also taught me that if you break the product you pay for the product. Willie built upon the vast knowledge and experience that Joe gave me and took it to the next level. I have truly missed him!”

By 1983 the Dardens owned three RTO stores in Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, and it became necessary to hire quality manager trainees. A good friend of theirs knew they were looking and suggested they interview his brother. That brother happened to be Trooper Earle. Trooper came on board as their first manager trainee, beginning a relationship that continues today. The Dardens, along with an associate of John’s, decided to open a new company, and Trooper would run operations.

“Trooper has an incredible work ethic and a solid grasp on the numbers that make our industry successful,” stated John. “Under his direction this new company quickly grew from one store to five stores in just a few years.

In 1990, John sold his three original stores to ColorTyme Corporate and went to work full time with Trooper. Later that year John and his associate agreed to sell Trooper their share of the company, and Trooper became sole owner with John continuing to run the operational side.

“Troop is terrific at looking at financial matters and determining what it takes for a financial forecast to work. My strength has always been operations so it was a great team!”

The company quickly grew from five to 16 stores and was one of the largest ColorTyme franchises in the country.

In 1995 John decided it was time to take a break from RTO and left the industry. It was five years before he returned, to work for a medium-sized regional RTO company. There he took underperforming stores and quickly turned them into profitable locations. He also met his close personal friend who is now his business partner, Mike Hubbard.

Mike, a 21-year RTO veteran, had spent his entire tenure with one company. A very successful regional manager and sales trainer, he developed programs that proved the potential that high-end product offers both the company and more importantly the customers.

“Our customers deserve access to every home furnishing product that the entire buying public has access to. It is good for the customer and good for business” he said.

Meanwhile Christopher Darden who, like his dad, had also taken a break from the industry, decided to leave a career in restaurant management to return to his home – RTO – and begin working for Mike. Christopher, John and Mike decided to become a team, poised to make a difference in the RTO.

According to Christopher they were ready to offer the industry something special: a commitment to exceed customer expectations while offering great value.” Christopher felt that by not being strapped down with the bureaucracy of a larger organization they could “explore our creativity while concentrating on servicing the customers.”

With that as their shared mission, the biggest issue in getting started was to research available options for financing of the store. After reading of the great success Trooper was having with assisting new dealers in the starting of their own business as Premier dealers, Christopher decided to give him a call. Impressed with the program, as well as with Trooper’s easy, fair, no-pressure style, the three partners felt that joining the Premier family would support their goal of setting up a successful operation.

“Trooper and Dan Whitsell, Premier’s CPA, walked us through the process of obtaining SBA financing,” said Mike. “There is a certain art to dealing with banks in particular.”

“Trooper and Dan did a great job of educating us on how the Small Business Administration’s system works,” added Christopher. “Dan Whitsell is a solid professional whose knowledge of the finances in the Rental Industry is critical in preparing and implementing your financial forecast. He has been with us every step of the way.”

The Dardens and Mike named their new corporation is Eklesia, Inc., Latin for “the called out ones.” According to Mike, “We feel we have been provided an opportunity to use our God-given talents, and we plan on making the most of the opportunity that God has provided us with.”

For John, his new partnership is a “dream come true. I had hoped that one day I would have a business with my son. The fact that we can begin this venture with someone as talented and as gifted as Mike Hubbard makes this experience that much more surreal. I have been very blessed. The plan is to stay focused, and we feel like we will be very successful!”

The new store is located at 129 Seminole Court. The telephone number is
(434) 973-8812. Hours of operation are Monday thru Thursday 9am to 6pm, Friday 9am to 7pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

The national office of Premier Rental-Purchase is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. All Premier stores are independently owned and operated. Visit Premier’s website at www.premierrents.net or call (800) 2-Premier and ask for Trooper Earle.