Gabfocus Self Storage Podcast

Crime at a storage facility isn't a matter of if, it's a matter of when. You don't have to be in this business long to deal with a break-in, some trespassing, vandalism, or worse. In this episode, Josh and Melissa kick off a two-part series on fighting crime at your facility, starting with the threats that come from the outside. The big idea? A property that looks awake doesn't get hit. Overgrown...

Josh and Melissa recently went undercover, visiting several self-storage facilities near one of their managed properties in Southern California to see how the competition was showing up. What they found was equal parts encouraging and eye-opening. The tours were genuinely enjoyable. Several facilities presented well, with staff who were friendly and professional. But not everything passed the test...

This one starts with goats… and ends with better business decisions. Josh and Melissa share the story behind their recent decision to bring goats onto their property to tackle a growing poison ivy problem. For a long time, they stuck with the status quo. The problem was annoying, but not quite painful enough to force a change. Goats felt like a big step into the unknown. Then things shifted. The p...

Josh and Melissa are back from the Inside Self-Storage World Expo and sharing their biggest takeaways from one of the industry's largest events. AI was everywhere, with vendors continuing to integrate it into their platforms. At the same time, we are seeing the rise of agentic AI in other industries, which raises interesting questions about where self storage is headed next. But even with all the...

What can self storage operators learn from the hotel industry? Quite a bit. In this episode, Josh Huff and Melissa Huff sit down with Lee Creech to talk through how hospitality principles apply directly to self storage. Lee shares how his background in hotels shaped the way he thinks about customer service, pricing, and running a facility day to day. The conversation covers everything from keeping...

As the self storage industry heads into another busy season and with ISS World Expo around the corner, Josh and Melissa take a step back to talk about something simple but often overlooked. What is the core of your business and are you still focused on it? With AI and new tools dominating conversations across the industry, it is easy to get pulled in a lot of different directions. Some of those to...

Are your vendors actually doing what you're paying them to do? After a short break to get settled into our new role alongside Haviland Storage Services, Melissa and Josh are back on the podcast addressing a topic that affects every single operator. We all rely on vendors. Landscaping, software, security, marketing… They're a critical part of running a self storage facility. But here's the question...

In this special announcement episode of the Gabfocus Podcast, Josh and Melissa Huff share three major updates that will shape the future of the self storage industry as a whole. Joining Forces with Haviland Storage Services Sue Haviland joins the show to talk about partnering with Lighthouse Storage Solutions and what this collaboration means for owners and operators. Melissa shares her new role s...

In this episode, Josh and Melissa tackle one of the most common decisions self-storage owners face: should you partner with a third-party management company (3PM)? This honest conversation explores when it makes sense, when it doesn't, and what you need to consider before handing over the keys. They cover: The pros and cons of going with 3PM What 3PM companies really provide How to know if you're...

As 2025 comes to a close, what have we learned and what should we be ready for in 2026? In this special year-end Gabfocus LIVE episode, we reflect on the highs and lows of the self storage industry in 2025 with three seasoned professionals. We break down trends in occupancy, rates, technology, operations, and customer behavior, and we talk honestly about challenges that operators faced—from rate w...

As we wrap up the year, Josh and Melissa close out the podcast season with a forward-looking conversation on setting the right goals for 2026. In this episode, we focus on the importance of establishing SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—that actually move the needle for self storage operators. Rather than chasing everything at once, we break down three big-pict...

Every self storage manager hears objections from customers—but how you respond can make the difference between a lost lead and a new tenant. In this episode, we into the art of overcoming customer objections with empathy and strategy. Through practical role-playing and real-world examples, we explore some of the most common pushbacks, including: "Do I really need tenant insurance?" "That price is...

Understanding the financial side of self storage is critical—whether you're just getting started or already scaling your portfolio. In this rebroadcast of our popular webinar, we're joined by Brooks Lumpkin and Amber Crucian to break down the financial fundamentals every owner and operator should know. We cover: The key reports and KPIs to track your facility's financial health Budgeting for contr...

In this practical follow-up episode, Josh and Melissa dive deeper into real-world ways self-storage operators can use AI to improve their daily workflow, marketing, and operations. They break down: The right way to write a useful AI prompt How to use AI to build a social media calendar Using AI to analyze competitors and improve your market position Leveraging AI to simplify maintenance tracking a...

In this rebroadcast of our live webinar, attorney Joe Doherty joins Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen to unpack the most pressing legal topics facing self storage owners and operators in 2025. From website privacy lawsuits and predatory ADA claims to evolving lien laws and tenant disputes, this session is packed with practical legal insight. You'll learn: What 2025's biggest legal trends mean for your...

In this special episode, Melissa and Josh reflect on a big moment: being featured on the cover of Modern Storage Media's October issue! 🎉 They share what it means to be recognized and the exciting shifts happening behind the scenes at Lighthouse Storage Solutions. Melissa opens up about her recent transition away from managing a state association to focus fully on Lighthouse, and together they br...

Do you really know who's renting your storage units? In this episode, Josh and Melissa Huff dive into one of the most overlooked aspects of effective self-storage marketing: creating clear, specific buyer personas . Understanding your customers is the first step to attracting more of them—and retaining them longer. We break down how to analyze your current rent roll to identify customer patterns,...

Whether you're a hands-on owner-operator or a passive investor looking to scale, finding the right management style can make or break your self-storage success. In this episode, guest host Brad North walks us through the various management setups—from on-site managers and remote tech-driven operations to hybrid and hub-and-spoke models. We explore the real pros and cons of each option, when it's t...

None of us would go a year between oil changes for our cars. I can't even go 6 months without descaling my Keurig. But how long has it been since you did a tune-up of your self storage facility? The word "Audit" has gotten a bad wrap over the years, but it is one of the most essential things you can do to ensure your facility runs smoothly and avoids major issues. Today, we tackle why audits are i...

Another generational event has happened, and it's worth taking a break from self storage to talk about. The events of yesterday, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, remind us of the last great generational tragedy from 24 years ago today. In both cases, evil individuals plotted and carried out deadly killings against people and ideals they disagreed with. Innocents lost their lives, children were l...

If you're like us, you didn't make it out to Vegas this year for the Self Storage Association 50th Anniversary Conference. But don't despair! We have tons of other ways to find the education, networking, and vendor updates you need to keep your business competitive. Whether it's in-person events, virtual webinars, podcasts, or papers, we share all our recommendations for finding out what you need...

Today we focus on something every self storage operator hopes they never have to face—but absolutely need to be ready for: disasters . When the worst happens, every decision matters. Kevin Leebrick and Scott McLaughlin join Tommy and Melissa to share real stories from their own crisis experiences—fires, floods, and more—and the lessons they've learned the hard way. We cover: What to do (and avoid)...

As the self storage industry moves further online, legal risks are evolving fast. In this Legal Chat episode, Carlos Kaslow and Scott Zucker break down the biggest legal challenges operators face today—and how to prepare for them. Key topics include: Website accessibility & ADA lawsuits Deceptive Trade Practices and Drip Pricing Mandatory arbitration vs. class action exposure Disclosing fees and e...

AI is everywhere in the self storage world—but how can operators actually use it day-to-day ? In this episode, Jennifer Barroqueiro from All-Purpose Storage joins Josh and Melissa Huff to share real, practical ways managers and owners can leverage AI to save time, improve communication, and boost efficiency. We discuss: How AI can streamline emails, Google review responses, and content creation Us...

Is your self storage facility ready for the future—or falling behind? In this episode, Nigel Kreft from Elevate Structures joins Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff to talk about how to keep your property competitive, profitable, and positioned for growth through the right upgrades and expansions. We discuss: When and why to upgrade or expand (from occupancy struggles to prepping for a sale) How to time...