On this episode of the Rent It Out Podcast, Cal sits down with Bodhi, a software engineer and founder of Locki, to talk about the evolution of automated rentals and the growing opportunities in the rental side hustle world.

Bodhi shares how he and his uncle built one of the world’s first paddleboard vending machines in Australia, allowing customers to rent paddleboards without needing staff onsite. What started as a creative experiment turned into a successful automated rental business before COVID changed everything.

The conversation dives into:

• How automation removes friction from rental businesses
• Why last-minute rentals are rapidly growing
• The importance of Google and Apple business profiles
• Why multiple pickup locations dramatically increase traffic
• What trailer types make the most money at different business stages
• New rental trends including tools, water sports equipment, and golf simulators
• The concept of “distribution as a moat” in rental businesses
• Why convenience matters more than ever for customers

Bodhi also shares insights from working with some of the largest automated trailer rental operators in the world and explains how small operators can compete by focusing on accessibility, automation, and customer convenience.

If you’ve ever considered starting a rental side hustle or expanding your current rental operation, this episode is packed with practical insights and future-focused ideas.

Resources Mentioned

• Lockii
• Google Business Profile
• Apple Business Connect

On this episode of the Rent It Out Podcast, Cal sits down with Nikki, who shares how she’s growing a tote rental business, not through ads or cold outreach, but through simple, consistent networking.

After years as a stay-at-home mom, Nikki found herself stepping into unfamiliar territory: meeting new people, attending events, and building connections from scratch. What started as a small effort to support their business quickly turned into a powerful customer acquisition strategy.

Instead of pitching or selling, Nikki focuses on building real relationships and those relationships are turning into rentals, referrals, and long-term opportunities.

If you’ve ever struggled with finding customers or felt uncomfortable selling, this episode will give you a practical, approachable path forward.

In this episode:

• How Nikki went from “knowing no one” to building a strong network
• Why networking works better than selling for service-based rentals
• The exact follow-up system she uses after meeting people
• How realtors are becoming a key referral source
• What to say (and not say) when talking about your business
• Why relationship-building beats hard sales every time
• How to get started networking, even if you’re uncomfortable

Resources Mentioned:

• Local networking groups and events
• Realtor partnerships
• Small Business Development Centers

Find Out More
Totes on Loan
Totes Rental Business Owners

This episode is different.

Instead of another success story, I’m sharing my own journey into the trailer rental business. And it’s still a work in progress.

From buying my first trailers to dealing with damage on day one, chasing “passive income,” and realizing I wasn’t marketing nearly enough… I break down what actually happened.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a rental side hustle, this is the honest version, not the highlight reel.

I cover:

• Why I got into trailer rentals in the first place
• The biggest mistake that cost me money
• What I misunderstood about “hands-off” income
• Why my business grew… then slowed down
• Marketing efforts that worked (and didn’t)
• Lessons from buying the wrong equipment
• What I would do differently if starting today
• The decision I’m facing: go all-in or get out

This isn’t a polished success story. It’s a real look at building something that hasn’t fully clicked yet and figuring out what comes next.

If you're in the middle of your own journey, this one’s for you.