005: Working with Family The Loot Rentals Way

Anna Crelia and Rhoda Brimberry share their story of establishing Loot Rentals, with two locations, in Austin and Fort Worth, Texas. After sourcing specialty pieces for Anna’s own wedding, the pair found themselves with a collection of rental inventory on their hands. You’ll hear these women look back on those early years and explain how they develop their influential rental collections now. 

What’s in this episode:

• How one of the founder’s own engagement started everything
• Gathering a vision for the Loot collection
• Working with family members
• The importance of the Austin community in Loot’s success
• Investing in artisan and local makers.
• Honing fresh styles and sharing them in regular company lookbooks
• Screening future team members and cultivating a company culture
• Managing a business with multiple locations

Quotes:

“You’ve always heard ‘Don’t go into business with your family or friends.’ I think we knew that was a risk but we were willing to take it.” - Rhoda Brimberry

“I joke sometimes how it’s like a hoarding problem that has turned into a successful business.” - Rhoda Brimberry

“Austin is full of a lot of early adopters...they’ll try something unusual and aren’t fearful about what that is.” - Rhoda Brimberry

“What is lacking in the market? What do you need? What are you not seeing?...That feedback is going to guide my purchasing decisions.” - Anna Crelia

For full show notes and resources, head to https://rwelephant.com/podcast/episode-5-loot-rentals