RentalShare: Utah Man Finds a Way to Make Money Offering Free Storage

When Ellis Atwood was ready to renovate his new home in Orem, UT, he was frustrated by how much of a hassle it was to rent the tools he needed. Renting required multiple trips to the store, reservations couldn’t be made in advance, and it was expensive. At the same time, he noticed his home storage space was filling up with tools and outdoor gear that he rarely used, but wasn’t quite ready to sell. Those problems inspired Atwood to start RentalS hare , a community-powered rental shop in Orem, UT. RentalShare is based on a simple premise - they offer you free storage for the tools and outdoor gear you use less often, and then they rent your gear out to the community, and they pay you a commission when your gear is used. Along the way, they handle repairs and maintenance, so you can have confidence they’ll have your stuff ready to pick up in good condition when you need it again. “Free storage is very compelling. People love the idea of sharing and getting by with less. That ...