Articles

Lessons from HappyPorch Radio’s Rental Season (So Far)

Last week we took time to look back at the first half of HappyPorch Radios’s 9th season, focused on circular minded rental businesses, and the ecosystem of support and software to enable them, reflecting on what we learned. The recurring themes and insights may surprise!

How can rental be “more awesome than ownership”?

Bob Jansen, founder of Firmhouse, a recurring commerce platform powering rental businesses across Europe, shares a candid perspective on where the industry stands and what it will take to unlock its full potential. 

A nuanced, technology wise approach to the Product-as-a-Service space

We delve with Patrick Hypscher into the realities of introducing product-as-a-service (PaaS) — both in B2B and B2C contexts — and the pivotal role that digital tools play in making these models viable and scalable.

How to build a circular rental business

If you’re considering entering or are currently in the circular based rental business, our recent conversation with Katie Hanton-Parr, Co-Founder of premium baby equipment rental company Baboodle, delves into the details of bringing one from idea to kitchen table to a scaling, evolving, ongoing concern. 

How to thrive in the Product-as-a-Service space

We explore the opportunities, challenges, mindset and tech resources needed to thrive in the Product-as-a-Service space with Yann Toutant of Black Winch, an expert in the realm and ally to companies wanting to successfully enter it. 

What software does a circular rental business need to succeed?

Running a circular minded rental business can be a complex, crazymaking process. But with the right support and software, integrated well, it can really help. Drawing from our recent conversation with Ryan Atkins of Supercycle, you’ll find a great deal of insights, resources and paths forward in this regard. 

How to optimise your circular sales across the spectrum

Following our conversation with Ryan Atkins of Shopify circular enabler Supercycle, we focus on two powerful distinctions which could well greatly open up your circular business: How rental and resale are in many ways just different facets of the same spectrum (and how best to leverage each) And, reframing the common brand fear that resale & rental of their products will cannibalise new product sales. 

One concept that nails the key benefit of rental businesses

In a vibrant conversation, HappyPorch Radio spoke with Lucy Wishart, getting an academic perspective on the circular economy that was ripe with insights, including consumption work, a powerfully simple encapsulation of the key way rental companies benefit consumers. And how to best leverage that. 

Accidental circularity?

Paul Smith

What is accidental circularity? What role does empathy play in embracing a circular model of business? What lessons can be learned from Apple's domination of the smartphone resale market? What role can open source devices play in the circular economy? Inspired by our recent conversation with Leah Pollen, we explore this and more.