Episode Description
One video on a birthday night was enough to force an honest mirror. Jeff Smith tells us how that moment helped him choose sobriety on April 16, 2022, and why everything accelerated after he stopped drinking, not just his health, but his leadership, focus, and ability to build. Jeff is now part-owner of Hometown Rent To Own with five locations, and he brings a rare perspective on what growth looks like when you are rebuilding yourself at the same time you are building a company.
We talk about the rent-to-own business as a relationship business, the hard parts of ownership that nobody posts about, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps stores stable: culture, training, compliance, numbers, and the right people in the right seats. Jeff shares how therapy helped him understand resentment and self-esteem, how AA helped him get traction early, and how faith became a lasting anchor. We also dig into the reality of staying sober while working in an industry where conference culture often includes heavy drinking.
From there, the conversation turns outward. Jeff explains why he created RTORecovery.com, including an anonymous chat option for anyone who needs help, whether they work in RTO or not. We also cover industry advocacy and community through APRO, NYRDA, and networking at events like LedgeCon and Meeting of the Minds, plus new ventures like Mr. Appliance and plans connected to RNR Tire Express. If you care about rent-to-own leadership, addiction recovery, mental health, and building a business that actually gives back, this one stays with you.
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