I decided to burn my own trail and make sure I was securing my future, not just someone else’s.
Dan Opoka, Premier Rental Purchase

See Premier Rents Ad in the May issue of RTO MAGAZINE.

When Dan Opoka turned 40, he decided it was time to stop working hard for other people.

“I had always known that when working for someone else you are at the mercy of when they will retire. Everything hinges on the owner, who, as in my case, may end up selling to a bigger company. While working for my most recent employer, I decided not to wait. I started working on my own business knowing he would retire. I decided to burn my own trail and make sure I was securing my future, not just someone else’s. I’m sick of making everyone else’s future.”
A 17-year RTO veteran, Dan began his career as a driver in the Portland, Ore. metro area. He worked his way up to become manager of a store but transferred with the opportunity to co-own a store in Seattle. After three years his partner, who owned the larger percent of their business, sold to Rent A Center, so Dan moved on and was responsible for the success of another Rent to Own franchise as operations manager.

“I was disappointed with the way the owner was doing things. He didn’t want to move forward, didn’t want to take on the challenge of getting bigger. I wasn’t able to do what I felt I could fully do. One day I talked with vendor who said I should call this guy named Trooper Earle. ‘What kind of a name is that?’ I thought. But I started talking with him. He was very precise, real strong-minded with a vision. I liked him. I wanted to follow this vision.” Dan saw the way to begin his dream of store ownership – through Trooper’s Premier Rental Purchase.

That was about a year and a half ago. Dan found that “starting out in business is a lot harder than you think.” He found the SBA in particular to be tricky.
“All that you have to do to get in business is not easy. Even with excellent credit, it’s still a battle. I had always done the workhorse and in-store jobs. Premier gave me a perspective from other side of the desk, financially speaking. In preparing for a successful business of your own, Premier makes you graduate through different requirements before you get to the bank, so in the end you know what you are doing. Premier insures you know what you’re doing when you open your store. I’m grateful for what Premier showed me. You don’t typically find that in franchising.”

For Dan, part of the benefits of choosing Premier is that “scary” didn’t mean impossible. He found he wasn’t blazing the trail alone. He also realized he would be helping those coming behind him.

“Premier has one of the best formats. Banks are familiar with it, and that makes it easier. Each person that goes through the process makes a huge road for those behind us. I went to six banks, and then I went to one that another Premier dealer had used. I was approved in 30 minutes.”

Securing a loan wasn’t the only stumbling block for Dan. It took him six months to secure a lease in such a hot Oregon market. But Premier was able to help even with that through their leasing department.

Dan credits his successful career to date with a strong belief in what he is doing – customer service. “This is a very customer service oriented business. We give a lot more than in retail. I’ve been successful because I treat all of my customers the same regardless of what they earn. My customers all know me. I know them all by name and look forward to seeing everyone and seeing how their family is. I’ve seen generations come through and have loyal clients. They’ve found me through my relocations and even told me I should get out on my own. I’ve been blessed that people care enough about me that they would tell me that.”

Dan feels his vision matches Trooper’s and is eager to prove what he can do. He says success is all in his attitude, and he’s ready to put his success to work – for himself this time.