Episode Overview
Carol Fontanez, Rental Manager at Jamco and President of the ARA of Florida, shares her journey from building a small rental department into a thriving business. She talks about earning respect through technical knowledge, protecting fleets from theft, and why integrity and strong relationships are the foundation of success in equipment rental.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Introduction to Carol Fontanez, rental manager at Jamco for 11 years and current ARA Florida president
- 01:27 – Announcement of the upcoming ARA Florida event
- 09:30 – Why product knowledge is critical in rental and why “shooting from the hip” only works for so long
- 13:10 – Advice on growth: take risks, get uncomfortable, and don’t be afraid to fail
- 16:39 – Building strong relationships as the key to long-term success, sometimes even above price
- 26:43 – Why integrity is Carol’s core value and how it shapes both leadership and life
- 35:47 – What to expect at the ARA Florida event, from themed receptions to keynote speakers like Elliot Vigil
- 43:25 – Insights on theft prevention and why Florida has been hit especially hard
- 44:55 – Why GPS alone isn’t enough to stop theft and the risks of relying on it
- 47:00 – Career advice: put in the time, work hard, and trust that effort will pay off
