Kyle Sanders

Feature Story

Continued from "Local Lumberjacks Mean Business" story.

University Rental

Party and tool/equipment rentals, permanent external illumination

Kyle Sanders, manager of University Rental, began working at the business while attending SFA. Now he owns it along with three other SFA alumni: Autumn Sanders, his wife; Katy Lanmon, Autumn's Alpha Chi Omega sorority sister; and Katy's husband, Patrick Lanmon.
Kyle Sanders, manager of University Rental, began working at the business while attending SFA. Now he owns it along with three other SFA alumni: Autumn Sanders, his wife; Katy Lanmon, Autumn's Alpha Chi Omega sorority sister; and Katy's husband, Patrick Lanmon.

When not studying during his college years at SFA, Kyle Sanders '07 worked at University Rental for former owners Jim and Nancy Elder. That eventually led to his purchase of the business in 2017 with three of his SFA buddies: Autumn '05, now his wife; Katy Lanmon '04, Autumn's Alpha Chi Omega sorority sister; and Katy's husband, Patrick '01. All four earned their bachelor's degrees from the Rusche College of Business.

Nearly 40 years before, Susan and Don Moon established University Rental on University Drive. In 2000, the Elders purchased the business and moved it to its current location in downtown Nacogdoches in 2005. Since the Sanderses and Lanmons purchased University Rental in 2017, the company has seen a 13% increase in revenue.

"We've learned over the years to take care of the people who take care of you," Kyle said. "We have a lot of repeat customers."

University Rental offers supplies for weddings, conventions, company picnics, parties, climate-controlled outdoor events and festivals. Party services include delivery, setup, breakdown and pickup for an area that starts at Crockett in the west, stretches up north to Henderson, extends down to Toledo Bend and circles back through Diboll.

"We have a wedding or party every weekend nine months out of the year," Kyle said. "Our top five rentals are tables, chairs, tents, linens and bounce houses, but we also offer tools and equipment, like dollies, augers and pressure washers."

In 2024, the Sanderses and Lanmons launched the UR Lighting division of the company that provides homeowners and businesses with permanent, custom accent lighting they can adjust from anywhere through an app.

The company's biggest challenge since the Sanderses and Lanmons took over has been the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyle said.

"Our business dropped 50% as clients canceled social engagements."

Luckily, Patrick's day job at Commercial Bank of Texas in Nacogdoches helped University Rental obtain a Paycheck Protection Loan from the federal government.

Current challenges include keeping up with party trends and making sure they have enough inventory to meet customer demands, Kyle said.

"Our inventory is always growing with the latest trends in designer décor, food service, games and entertainment."

universityrentalnac.com
936.560.0800
universityrental75961@gmail.com
510 East Main St.

Owners

Kyle Sanders '07, manager
Autumn Sanders '05
Patrick Lanmon '01
Katy Lanmon '04