Rent-A-Vet Christmas Lights started with just 11 houses and grew into a Nebraska business that’s doing much more than decorating homes for the holidays.
There’s something special about driving through a small Nebraska town during the holidays.
The storefronts are decorated, Christmas lights brighten the streets, and for a few weeks, everything feels like something straight out of a Hallmark movie.
If you’ve ever driven through downtown Louisville, Nebraska, during the Christmas season, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
But have you ever wondered who’s responsible for making all that holiday magic happen?
Meet Kyle and Jeremy, the Nebraska veterans behind Rent-A-Vet, a veteran-owned Christmas light installation company serving Omaha and communities throughout eastern Nebraska.
What started as a way to earn a little extra money during the holidays has grown into a business serving hundreds of customers. Along the way, Kyle and Jeremy have created something even more meaningful: opportunities for fellow veterans to work, reconnect, and find the camaraderie they remember from military service.
As a retired Navy veteran myself, that’s the part of their story that really caught my attention.
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From 11 Houses to 500 Christmas Light Installations
Like a lot of great business ideas, Rent-A-Vet started small.
Kyle first got into Christmas light installation after returning home from military training. He had been doing lawn care and landscaping and eventually started working with someone who owned a Christmas lighting business.
But military deployments, including spending holidays in the Middle East, made it difficult to keep that business going.
Years later, when Kyle returned to Nebraska from Tennessee, he called his friend Jeremy with an idea.
Why not give the Christmas light business another shot?
In 2018, they launched Rent-A-Vet, installing Christmas lights on just 11 houses during their first season.
At the time, it was mostly the two of them doing the work, hoping to earn some extra holiday money.
Today, the company handles approximately 500 installations, with around 35 people helping during the previous season.
That’s quite a leap from 11 houses.
But the most interesting part of their growth isn’t necessarily how many Christmas lights they’re hanging.
It’s who’s hanging them.
A Business Built Around Veterans Helping Veterans
When Kyle and Jeremy needed additional help, they naturally turned to friends in the military community.
As the business grew, so did their vision.
They realized Rent-A-Vet could provide something many veterans are looking for after leaving military service: flexible work, a sense of purpose, and the opportunity to be part of a team again.
One thing that doesn’t always translate easily from military life to civilian life is camaraderie.
In the military, you’re accustomed to working closely with people who share responsibilities, challenges, and a common mission. That experience can be difficult to replicate in a traditional civilian workplace.
Rent-A-Vet offers another option.
Veterans can sign up for seasonal work without committing to a traditional nine-to-five schedule. That flexibility can be especially appealing to retired service members who want to supplement their income, stay active, and work alongside people with similar experiences.
And their military backgrounds bring some valuable skills to the business.
Kyle and Jeremy talked about how communication, reliability, and attention to detail make a difference in their work.
Whether it’s responding promptly to a customer, making sure Christmas lights are evenly spaced, or hiding cords so a display looks professional, those little details matter.
Anyone who’s ever waited days for a contractor to return a phone call can probably appreciate that!
Turning Downtown Louisville Into a Hallmark Christmas Movie
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing about Rent-A-Vet’s work in Louisville, Nebraska.
The opportunity started when Louisville’s public works director, who also serves in the Army National Guard, approached Kyle about lighting up Main Street.
The result?
The team behind Rent-A-Vet Christmas Lights has helped transform downtown Louisville into a holiday destination that looks like something straight out of a Hallmark movie.
Rent-A-Vet installs holiday lighting on buildings along Main Street, including City Hall and other downtown businesses.
But their involvement doesn’t stop there.
The company has also become part of Louisville’s hometown holiday celebrations, helping with the community Christmas tree lighting and donating additional decorations for City Park.
Think about what that means for a small community.
Families gathering downtown. Children waiting for the Christmas tree to light up. Local businesses welcoming holiday shoppers. Neighbors celebrating traditions together.
Those are the kinds of experiences that make living in Nebraska special.
And they’re the kinds of traditions that businesses like Rent-A-Vet help make possible.
Love looking at Christmas lights? Louisville is just one place to enjoy the holiday magic. Check out our guide to Christmas lights and holiday displays around Omaha and eastern Nebraska — THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO OMAHA CHRISTMAS LIGHTS for more places to explore this season.
Giving Back Means More Than Hanging Christmas Lights
Of course, Christmas lights are what Rent-A-Vet is known for.
But Kyle and Jeremy shared stories that show how the business has become a way to help people beyond their customers.
They’ve used their success to purchase Christmas gifts for families experiencing difficult times.
They’ve also helped fellow veterans facing serious challenges.
Kyle shared the story of an Army National Guard veteran who was dealing with an illness believed to be terminal. With the family struggling to afford groceries, Rent-A-Vet stepped in with Hy-Vee gift cards.
It’s a reminder that supporting a veteran-owned business can have an impact that extends well beyond the transaction.
Sometimes the money you spend with a local business helps that business support someone else in the community.
For Kyle and Jeremy, the Christmas lights have become a way to do something much bigger.
Meet Kyle and Jeremy: Watch the Rent-A-Vet Interview
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Kyle and Jeremy to hear how Rent-A-Vet got started, how their military experience influences their business, and what they hope to accomplish in the future.
We talked about some of their most memorable Christmas lighting projects, including the incredible displays they’ve created in Louisville and throughout Cass County.
But what stood out most was their commitment to giving fellow veterans meaningful opportunities and supporting the communities they call home.
Watch our full conversation below.
Rent-A-Vet Christmas Lights and Permanent Outdoor Lighting in Omaha
If you’re looking to brighten up your own home or business for the holidays, Rent-A-Vet offers several options.
Traditional Christmas Light Installation
Rent-A-Vet installs custom-fit holiday lighting for homes and commercial properties.
Rather than simply hanging standard strands of lights, the team creates displays tailored to each property, with nine bulb colors available for different combinations.
The company handles installation, maintenance, and removal after the holiday season.
That means homeowners can enjoy their Christmas lights without climbing ladders, untangling cords, or spending a freezing January afternoon taking everything down.
Permanent Outdoor Lighting for Every Season
Rent-A-Vet has also expanded into permanent outdoor lighting.
These lights are installed discreetly beneath a home’s soffits and can remain in place throughout the year.
Using a smartphone, homeowners can change colors, create custom designs, or select programmed lighting patterns for holidays and special occasions.
Christmas? Absolutely.
But also Halloween, the Fourth of July, Easter, or even everyday exterior lighting.
It’s an option for people who love decorating but would rather skip the annual installation process.
The company is also expanding its lighting business through The Good Lights, offering products for retail customers and other installers.
Where Does Rent-A-Vet Work?
Although the business originally focused on Omaha, Rent-A-Vet now serves communities throughout eastern Nebraska, including Omaha, Plattsmouth, Louisville, Nebraska City, Lincoln, Syracuse, Wahoo, Blair, and surrounding Cass County communities.
Service availability may vary by location and project.
Interested in Christmas light installation or permanent outdoor lighting?
Visit Rent-A-Vet’s website to learn more about their services and request information.
Whether you’re looking for traditional holiday lighting or permanent outdoor lights, Rent-A-Vet Christmas Lights offers options for homes and businesses throughout the Omaha area.
More Veteran-Owned Businesses Making a Difference in Nebraska
One of the things I enjoy most about sharing local business stories through The Midwest Will Move You is introducing people to the individuals behind the businesses we see around town.
And as a Navy veteran, I especially appreciate the opportunity to highlight fellow veterans who have continued serving their communities through entrepreneurship.
Rent-A-Vet is one example, but they’re certainly not alone.
Over the course of this series, I’ve had the opportunity to feature other veteran-owned businesses right here in our area.
If you enjoy supporting local businesses and the men and women who have served our country, I encourage you to check out their stories, too.
Wimbro Farms Flower Farm – Season Beauty Rooted Locally
Life Changing Lessons From a Veteran-Owned Martial Arts School
The Powerful Story Behind La Vista’s #1 Frozen Custard Shop
Why Parents are Falling in Love with this Sensory-Friendly Toy Store
Moving Veterans Forward – A Story About Empowering Homeless Veterans
Each business has its own story, but they share something important: a commitment to building something worthwhile and contributing to the communities around them.
The Midwest Will Move You
When people think about what makes the Omaha area a great place to live, they often start with affordable housing, good schools, or the cost of living.
Those things certainly matter.
But I think the people and businesses that make up our communities are just as important.
A couple of Nebraska veterans who started hanging Christmas lights on 11 houses probably never imagined they’d someday be lighting up an entire downtown, employing dozens of people, and helping fellow veterans and families through difficult times.
Yet here they are.
And that’s exactly the kind of story I love sharing.
I’m Justin Ogburn, a retired Navy veteran and REALTOR® with Revel Realty. Through The Midwest Will Move You, I share the people, places, businesses, and experiences that make the Omaha metro and eastern Nebraska a great place to call home.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the area, I’d love the opportunity to help.
Justin Ogburn | Revel Realty
402-600-3006
