HomeRental ResourcesPodcastsRental Roundtable #97: You Can’t Out-Compete the Nationals by Playing It Safe

Rental Roundtable #97: You Can’t Out-Compete the Nationals by Playing It Safe

44 Min
April 23, 2026
Episode #97
How States Rentals Became One of the Fastest-Growing Independents

Episode Overview

In this episode, recorded live at Rental Roundtable Live, Brett Baker, founder of States Rentals, shares how he built one of the fastest-growing independent rental companies in the U.S. and what it actually takes to compete against the national chains.

Brett covers the maintenance philosophy behind his company’s growth, why cash flow is the only metric that matters, and why independent owners who ignore AI do so at their own peril. He also delivers a candid warning about where the rental industry is headed.