JOYFUL, CLASSY events and sweaty outdoor work may not seem to have much in common, but in Franklin County, they have found a common denominator in Reliable Rental. Since 2020, the business has been owned by April and Jeremy Acklen, and their leadership has grown the company into something that can keep up with big city rental stores.
“We have everything that the big cities have — you don’t have to go out of town to get something,” April said. “We may be a small town, but we [can] put on a big event.”
Taking over a business is never easy, and the Acklens faced challenges from the beginning. April and Jeremy bought Reliable Rental right before the pandemic, and the lack of events made keeping it open difficult. Still, they persisted, using their own money when they had to.
“We don’t give up,” April said.
That attitude is present everywhere at Reliable Rental. Events and equipment needs rarely take a holiday, and that carries over into the Acklens’ work. Often, they arrive at an event location before the sun comes up, and they don’t leave until it is over.
Those same events offer some of the best moments on the job as brides and event planners get to see their vision come together. April said her favorite part is the happiness it brings.
“It’s just fun to help people get married and make their day beautiful and have a wonderful event,” April said. “We just like helping everybody as best we can.”
Reliable Rental has rented equipment and decorations for many large events in Franklin County and the surrounding area, especially weddings — one of their brides has even been featured in Vogue magazine. Each event brings something to the county, and April said their goal is to keep expanding their inventory and providing up-to-date decor. They have it all — from 40-by-120-foot tents to delicate champagne flutes.
“We just want to keep growing,” April said. “Anything we can find, we want it to be the best we can make it.”
Reliable Rental isn’t just for events, however. Husbands with honey-do lists and contractors with construction projects depend on the business to get the job done, renting everything from carpet cleaners to compressors and trenchers. Reliable Rental is a resource for everyone, offering big-city rental opportunities while keeping the local, small-town courtesy everyone knows and loves. What else could a community ask for? GN
Find Reliable Rental online at reliablerentalfc.com or call (931) 962-0406 to plan your event or equipment rental.
