10. Building Automated Rental Businesses That Scale

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 MentionedLockiiGoogle Business Profile Apple Business Connect