Gabfocus Self Storage Podcast

It's the final episode of 2023, so we're looking into our crystal balls to see what's in store for the self storage industry in 2024. Will occupancy bounce back? Is remote management here to stay? Where will marketing dollars be spent? What systems will come under the microscope? We discuss all this and more as we get ready to turn the calendar over to the year ahead. Hosts:  Josh Huff  &  Melissa...

It's the final webinar of the year and it did not disappoint. Industry experts Jane Sauls, Nick Newcomb, and Ginny Sutton talked the good, bad, and ugly of 2023 along with a few predictions for 2024. They discussed the impact of decreased rental activity, rising costs, and tenant issues, along with the crucial role of technology adoption in staying competitive. The episode also covers market conso...

We're back for a second look at day to day operations. The normal routine of a self storage manager is anything but routine. There are several day to day practices that can make the job run smoothly and efficiently no matter what your property or your tenants throw your way. Our experts weigh in on communication software, sending information to tenants, preferred software and management tools, how...

Apparently it's time to panic. Occupancy is down, deliquency is up, and we have to do whatever it takes to fill up our self storage facilities, right? False. There is a time and place for discounts and specials, but has that time come for you? Just because the big boys are dropping discounts doesn't mean you need to do it as well. Today we talk about the good and bad types of discounts, when to co...

Today is all about Thanksgiving! And we certainly have a lot to be thankful for, especially when it comes to the self storage industry. Our Gabfocus Friends helped us out for this episode, so a special shout out to Max, Adam, Megan, Cindy, Sue, Bob, Chad, Alonna, and all the rest who chimed in with their reasons for gratitude. From tenants, to managers, to vendors, to the SSA, we are so incredibly...

A secure self storage facility is one of the top 2 priorities for new and existing tenants. But how can practically and affordably keep your facility secure? What are the best gates, cameras, and lights? How often should you upgrade your technology? What are the newest tools entering the storage industry? Our experts tackle these questions and many more throughout this webinar episode. Plus, the m...

Maintaining your property is a huge area of focus if you own and operate self storage. If done properly, it can save you thousands of dollars. It's so important that we've dedicated not one, but two webinars to it. Jackie and Nigel are back for round two. Last time was all about doors. This one is about all the rest- gates, locks, driveways, beautification, and more. If you missed part one, you ca...

Managers are crucial to the success, or failure, of your self storage business. We learned this lesson again and again on our membership drive through Louisiana last month as we encountered dozens of managers. The vast majority were fantastic, exemplifying the importance of that friendly face in the office. Of course, there were some not so great ones as well. We break down the good and the bad fr...

Joe Doherty ( Self Storage Association ) joined us for our 2023 Storage Legal Update! We reviewed the latest national and state legal updates and discussed the trickiest legal sticking points of self storage. What are the legal challenges happening around the country? What are the biggest concerns facing operators? How do you handle dead bodies in your unit? These and many more LIVE questions are...

How important is social media? Is a manager really necessary? Tenant protection or tenant insurance? These were the topics debated at the 2023 Tennessee Self Storage Association conference in Nashville. Our participants gave great arguments on all sides of these issues. But who won? We go through the arguments, highlight our favorite points, and declare our winners. Plus, some takeaways from the T...

We're excited to welcome Scott Zucker, one of the best self storage attorneys, to the podcast. You may be familiar with Scott's work as his expertise has played a role in many leases and laws throughout the storage world. But you may not be as familiar with him as an author or baseball fan. Today, we cover all three as we hear some incredible storage stories, get Scott's take on his most asked que...

Marketing can be a maze of acronyms, analytics, and ad management, but it doesn't have to be. Simple solutions are out there for even a beginner self storage manager or owner to utilize. Today we tackle some takeaways from a few of the recent shows we attended. In particular, we get practical with marketing, give away some tools to help verify your marketing is doing what it is supposed to do, and...

We're back with a fresh webinar episode focussing on data & reports. What reports should you focus on? What metrics should you be measuring? What data tells the true story of your self storage facility and what can be misleading? Our amazing guests shed light on the key things to consider when analyzing the data and reports for your self storage operation. Just about everything from marketing, to...

We're LIVE from Las Vegas at the SSA Fall Conference and Expo! There is a ton happening in our industry, from technology to marketing to operations. We learned a lot, plus spent plenty of time building relationships with our storage family. Listen in on a few key takeaways from days one and two of the conference, plus a few teasers for topics we'll be covering in future episodes. Also, our recomme...

Are you just getting started in self storage? Have you been around for a bit and want to hear what another operator is up to? From new tech, to building plans, to the benefits of your state association, we cover a ton of territory with some very special guests. Max & Allison Vallotton from Gate 5 Self Storage joined us for a fun remote podcast LIVE from Augusta, GA. They share their story of getti...

Industry experts Sue Haviland and Terry Campbell join hosts Tommy and Melissa for our monthly webinar rebroadcast focused on team management. We covered a ton from hiring top talent, identifying red and green flags, and implementing effective training programs to nurturing employee growth, retaining staff with attractive perks, and resolving conflicts. Discover strategies for training employees in...

Picture a vibrant luncheon near Memphis, TN, where attendees gathered around round tables, engaging in lively discussions about occupancy, marketing, and preferred vendors. The event kicked off on a light note with the question "What's the craziest thing you found in your units?" Listen in as we share the most intriguing and hilarious stories that emerged from this icebreaker. But it's not just ab...

What is the best self storage software? What should it do for you? What are the must-have features? Software is essential for the success of your self storage business, from online rentals, to facility maps, to integrations. We've seen a lot of questions online about which company to choose and which options are important. There are a ton of great options out there with more popping up all the tim...

Do you know what it takes to maintain your self storage facility? What preventative maintenance should you schedule and when is it time to replace vs repair? Join us for a maintenance-focused episode where self-storage experts Jackie Belau and Nigel Kreft join Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff for an insightful discussion. From gates and fences to doors and locks, we explore various options and their...

It's easy to become complacent in any industry, thinking you've got the answers. Maybe you do know all the answers to your questions, but are you sure you're asking the right questions? That's where a consultant proves their value.  Have you enlisted a consultant to maximize your self storage business? If not, why not? Consultants provide a valuable second set of eyes to evaluate your operation, p...

A picture's worth 1,000 words, but a drone photo is worth 1,000 photos. If you haven't gotten on board the drone train to showcase your self storage facility, you're missing out on a valuable marketing tool. But once you decide to enlist a drone company, how do you pick the right one? Can't you just do it yourself? Melissa and Josh cover just about everything you need to know to make sure you get...

Did you have a fun day off celebrating the 4th of July? Did your customers know you were closed? We dive into some basic best practices for holidays, plus talk through some scenarios brought up on the self storage managers Facebook group. How do you deal with a potentially problematic tenant who is on property all the time and may be up to no good? Should you just raise their rent? Lock them out?...

Business success comes down to the daily choices you and your team make. What do you prioritize? What's working? What needs to be better? In this rebroadcast of the Gabfocus webinar Optimizing  Your Day-to-Day, we'll take a magnifying glass to small tasks that make up managers' and operators' days and see how you can make them better. Tommy and Melissa will be joined by Denise Bowley (Self Storage...

It's Episode 50! We dive into Melissa's article recently published by Inside Self Storage (ISS) about the importance of policies and procedures. These are your living documents in case the "hit by a bus" scenario happens to you. P&Ps have a huge impact on all aspects of your business, from operations to employees to customers. Do you have them in place? We talk all about why you need them, how to...

We finally rented a storage unit. It was a first for Josh and the first in more than 15 years for Melissa. We walk through our experience, touching on what went well and highlighting some missed opportunities. From the online search, to the rental process, to the boots on the ground move-in, there's a lot involved in self storage. Are you aware of what your customers are going through? Is it simpl...