Pete Rose signed two jerseys that were auctioned off during Thursday's general session to raise $10,000 for Kids Across America.

Ken Schimpf was named ColorTyme Franchisee of the Year for 2006. Pictured left to right; Pete Rose, Ken Schimpf, Richele Schimpf, and ColorTyme President Bob Bloom. Pete Rose was the guest speaker at Thursday's general session. See a photo gallery of: Awards (22), General Session with Pete Rose (64), Pete Rose Autograph Session (45), Welcome Reception (41).

Ken Schimpf was named ColorTyme Franchisee of the Year for 2006. Schimpf was awarded the company's prestigious Eagle Award Thursday at ColorTyme's 2007 National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ken and Richele Schimpf operate two stores in Cincinnati. Ken told RTO Online in a podcast interview Thursday (listen) that the secret is hiring the right people. "Find people with a track record of success," he advised. "And then let them do their job."

High volume stores require more employees. Schimpf averages 11 employees per location. It takes a real coach, not necessarily someone with a rental-purchase background. "One of my managers has a background in fast food," he said. Schimpf recommends paying whatever it takes to hire a manager with a proven track record of success. Until he made that decision, his stores were average. Since bringing in the right team both locations are consistently among the highest volume stores in the entire ColorTyme System.

Listen to RTO Online's exclusive interview with Ken Schimpf, 2006 ColorTyme Franchisee of the Year.

Other podcast interviews from the 2007 ColorTyme Convention

Pete Rose, shown here with ColorTyme President Bob Bloom at Thursday's general session, signed two jerseys that were auctioned off to raise $10,000 for Kids Across America.

Amy Woods, ColorTyme Director of Marketing
Amy Woods discusses ColorTyme's online marketing strategy and the recent successes at search engine optimization.

Rick Rineberg, ColorTyme Franchisee
Rick Rineberg discusses the opportunities in doing business in rural areas and his lifelong involvement in the rent to own industry.

Tom Neyhart, ColorTyme Franchisee
Tom Neyhart discusses his new expansion from Louisiana to New York, his success during a recent summer promotion -Crusin the Caribbean With ColorTyme - in Louisiana and his 10 year plan to add 6 partners.

Ken Schimpf, 2006 ColorTyme Franchisee of the Year
Ken Schimpf discusses what it takes to operate high volume stores and what it took to become the 2006 ColorTyme Franchisee of the Year.

Photo galleries
Awards (22)
General Session with Pete Rose (64)
Pete Rose Autograph Session (45)
Welcome Reception (41)