You can't use the economy as an excuse to lose. It just gives us more reasons to get better at what we do.
Mike Lewis, VP Operations, Premier Companies

RTO Online conducted 10 new videocast interviews Wednesday. Click the images or links below to view.

Ruben Flores Alexis Miller Tommy Crenshaw Jim Upchurch Tony Craig Mike Lewis Trooper Earle Jay Muir Jim Ratner Brian Reed

The 2008 Premier Companies Business Conference wrapped Wednesday.

CEO Trooper Earle said Wednesday that Premier has taken a big step toward solving one of the primary hurdles faced by independent dealers wishing to add financial services to their portfolio - cash. "We put together an 'inventory cash fund' - a private investment fund that will provide cash to dealers for check cashing and payday-loans." See the Trooper Earle interview.

Jim Upchurch has been brought in as Vice President of Franchise Development for Premier U-Getcha Cash, the financial services division of Premier Companies. Upchurch came to U-Getcha from Countrywide Mortgage. He will pull double duty, also acting as VP of Franchise Support for all of the Premier Companies. See the Jim Upchurch interview.

The non-recession-recession doesn't seem to be affecting Premier dealers' new store opening plans. Vice President of Operations Mike Lewis told RTO Online, "It certainly has an effect, but you can't use the economy as an excuse to lose. It just gives us more reasons to get better at what we do. It's forcing us as operators to do a better job at providing the same service at a lower price." See the Mike Lewis interview.

Premier's 2009 convention is set for  January 19-22 in New Orleans. RTO Online will provide live streaming video of select sessions from the New Orleans event.

RTO Online broadcast a total of twenty videocast interviews during the three day Memphis conference - ten on Wednesday;

Wednesday Interviews:
-Ruben Flores, Premier Franchisee from Bradenton, Florida.
-Brian Reed, Premier's newest franchisee from Owosso, Michigan.
-Alexis Miller, Advertising Coordinator for Advertising Made Easy.
-Tommy Crenshaw, Vice President Operations, Wheel Workz.
-Jim Upchurch, VP Franchise Support, Premier Companies.
-Tony Craig, business consultant to Premier Companies.
-Mike Lewis, VP Operations, Premier Companies.
-Trooper Earle, CEO, Premier Companies.
-Jay Muir, Franchisee from Manchester, New Hampshire.
-Jim Ratner, Franchisee from Westbrook, Maine.

Tuesday:
-Trooper Earle, CEO, Premier Companies.
-Mike Gordon, Premier Franchisee, Denver, Colorado.
-Steve Newman, Premier Franchisee, Milford Delaware.
-Mike Garner, President, Premier Rent N Ride.
-Josh Enis, Territory Manager, American Furn. Mfg.
-Clyde Stutzman, VP Franchise Development, Premier Companies.
-Wally Landmesser, Premier's first Franchisee.

Monday
-Bill Cuthbertson, Premier Franchisee, Clarksville, Tennessee.
-Brian Duke, National Accounts Manager, Whirlpool.
-Charlie Brandt, Webmaster, The Premier Companies.