​

​This was a wild ride.

Imagine growing to over 20,000 doors and then staring liquidation in the face.

RW was sold to GA Technologies earlier this year for $8M after going public in 2022 via a SPAC that gave them the ticker symbol SFR.

The rise, fall and rebirth of Renters Warehouse is a truly wild ride and I cannot thank Kevin Ortner enough for the courage and candor of breaking it all down.

This interview is special for me for a couple reasons:

1. ​Brenton Hayden, the founder of RW was the first truly growth focused operator I ever met. This mattered as I was running customer discovery interviews trying to validate the need for a PM focused CRM at the time. You can read my 11 pages of notes from that interview.
2. I've closely followed RW over the years as the company has matured and iterated from startup to scale up. From running the first and only Superbowl ad by a pm, to coining the term RentEstate to acquiring OwnAmerica - the company has had a unique and colorful history.
3. Kevin pulled back the curtain in this interview when he didn't have to. He's led the company through a really challenging period and has come out the other side still standing and still believing in the company, asset class and future. I am reminded of Churchhill quote, “If you're going through hell, keep going". Mad respect for the indefatigability of him and his team.

If you want the full scoop on the rise, fall, and rebirth of Renters Warehouse check out this weeks podcast.

- JAAM​​

P.S. - 11 pages of notes from my first call w/ RW founder Brenton Hayden in 2012.

P.P.S. - The 2022 SPAC investor presentation that outlined RW's plans in detail.

P.P.P.S. - Video breakdown of $8M acquisition or RW by GA Technologies

P.P.P.P.S. - My 2018 interview with Brenton Hayden reflecting on their ride up to that point and his 2015 exit after a majority sale to North Pacific Group.

P.P.P.P.P.S. - Examples of radio spots Renters Warehouse ran as a part of their massive push into radio advertising.

P.P.P.P.P.P.S. - Shout to the following RW people I met along the way - Steven Walters, Rich Drake, Todd Barton, Ron Wright, Pam Kosanke, Jon Ortner, Tracy Call, Anthony Cazazian, Jesse Evans, Ryan Marvin, Kent Nielson, Glen Clawson, Sheila Scholl, Caleb Gilbertson, Mark Zimmerman, Kelly B. Coffman, Noel Christopher, Scott Dorn, Cassie Parker, Jon Michaels, David Gurian, Donovan Reese, Wes Donovan, Mitch Carlson, Dave Gorham... and many more!

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