Jumping into new roles is nothing new for Suzique (Zique) Couture. In February 2019, she left her job of 17 years managing her family’s outdoor power equipment company and joined her husband, Tony, in taking over the ownership of T.C. Rentals, Traverse City, Mich., a company he had worked at as a service technician and manager for the last several years. Then this past March she took on a brand-new role as board member of the ARA of Michigan.
This latest jump seemed to be a natural transition. “I wanted to join the ARA of Michigan board because I saw that there was a need and I thought it would be good experience to learn more about the industry, get to know other people who are doing similar things as we are and discover how to help out the rental community,” Couture says.
Couture and her husband learned about the ARA of Michigan from the company’s previous owner and by attending the state chapter’s last two Winter Conferences.
“Before we purchased the business, we went to the ARA of Michigan Winter Conference. We thought that would be a good way to meet people in the industry and see the different equipment vendors. It was great,” she says.
They became owners of T.C. Rentals after the previous owner decided to retire from the business. “The owner was planning on retiring and we were able to work out a deal with her and purchase the business. Even though we have been owners only since 2019, the company, which caters to both homeowners and contractors, was founded in April 1979. There have been a couple of different owners through the years. One of the former owners is still working in the business, so we are lucky to have that help,” she says.
Making the transition into rental as owners “was quite a change for me,” Couture says. “I always have dealt with people, so that was no big deal. As far as handling rental procedures and figuring out best practices, well, we are still developing that. Another challenge has been getting to know the different vendors who can provide us parts for some of our equipment. We have equipment that we don’t necessarily need parts for frequently, but you have to figure out where to get them from when you need the parts,” she says.
Having her husband join her on this venture has eased the transition. “With his background and understanding of how things work, knowing the rental process, understanding how to maintain the equipment and his ability to know what to look for as far as failures — all have helped us be more successful. Otherwise, I would feel we would have been going in blind,” she says.
Couture says she definitely will be bringing “her perspective as a new rental owner to the board. I haven’t been in the rental industry that long, but having run my family’s outdoor power equipment dealership for all those years has given me some perspective on the equipment field. I am just new to the rental side. Once I learn more about my role and get to know the other board members, I want to see how I can help,” she says.
Couture is proud that, as a Traverse City native, she and her husband are helping those in their community be successful. “I am local. I grew up here. Now we own a small rental house with a lot of good customers who work hard for a living. I like the fact that we are able to help them accomplish their goals and their jobs more efficiently with the proper equipment,” she says.
She also is thrilled with how the rental community has been so friendly. “As far as the rental industry goes, we have enjoyed meeting different vendors and interacting with other rental operations, most lately through the ARA Facebook pages. Everyone is super-friendly, willing to help out and offer advice, which is great,” she says, adding that in her new role as an ARA of Michigan board member, she will be able to interact with even more in the industry and learn how to assist those not only in her hometown but also in the entire state.