Gabfocus Self Storage Podcast

It's important to count the cost before you start any project. That's the goal behind feasibility studies in self storage. Will I make money? What does my competition look like? Can I afford to run this? What are the red flags and green lights? All of these questions and more are answered with a feasibility study. We get into all the details of what it is, why it's important, and where you can get...

Special guests Adam & Megan Armstrong join us today to give us the inside scoop on owning and operating self storage. We get into the lessons learned, what has given them success, what has given them heartburn, and things to consider if you are thinking about owning and/or operating your own facility. Plus, some key recommendations at the end of the episode. Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff Guests:...

A fake manager, a domestic dispute, and an afternoon rendezvous highlight the tales in this first volume of storage stories. So pour yourself a drink (if you're not at work), sit back, relax, and enjoy a few fun and crazy stories we all can relate to if you've been in self storage for a minute or two.  Plus a few more recommendations at the end of the episode. Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Do you have the street smarts to keep your self storage facility secure? We've all heard about cameras, locks, and gates. But even "secure" facilities can have security problems if people see an opportunity to make trouble. How can you limit those opportunities and go beyond the hardware to increase the safety of your facility? We'll get into all that and more. Plus, stick around for our recommend...

As the calendar turns, most of us will set all sorts of goals for the new year. But are your goals SMART? Josh & Melissa break down some important categories to make sure your goals are effective in bringing success to your self storage business. Goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable... tune in to hear all about the importance of SMART goal setting for 2023. Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa...

What is your "main thing" heading into 2023? If it isn't your customer, it probably should be. It's easy to get distracted from our main thing, whether through pet projects, a focus on revenue, or being stat driven. But at the end of the day, the customer pays the bills and is a fantastic source of free advertising. Happy customers make life easier and business more profitable. Plus, Josh and Meli...

Join us for lessons and insights from our favorite self storage people. At the end of each year, we like to invite some of our favorite experts to share their lessons and insights from the year and what they're dreaming up for 2023. Featured Speakers:  Chad Lundberg ,  Jane Sauls ,  Nick Newcomb ,  Stephanie Tharpe , &  Sue Haviland Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Affordable Storage...

You've done all the work of getting a potential customer on your radar. What do you do now? Having good communication, follow-up, and sales training is crucial for your team. Join us as we talk about the best ways to follow up with your self storage leads and communicate with your customers. Guests: Carol Mixon-Krendl (SkilCheck) and Hailey Teal (Jenkins Organization) Brought to you by the teams a...

From operations to marketing to team processes, there are plenty of lessons that large, multi-location storage businesses have to teach us. Whether you're a fellow large operator looking to improve or a small operator looking to level up, we dive into how these big brands are making it happen. Guests: Guy Middlebrooks (CubeSmart) & Darren Kelley (Right Move Storage) Brought to you by StoragePug an...

From the costs to customer expectations, running a facility focused on storing boats, RVs, and other vehicles is very different from running a traditional self storage facility full of storage units. There's a lot to know to set yourself up for success. Whether you're new to storage entirely or you're a seasoned storage veteran trying to add vehicle storage to your portfolio, this Gabfocus session...

We answered your self storage questions LIVE to wrap up the Fall Conference in Tennessee. Topics ranged all over the place- pros and cons of 24/7 access, auction timelines, best office hours, software, gate companies... you name it, we probably talked about it. We even had a few industry experts chime in like Cindy Ashby and Stephanie Tharpe. Special thanks to the TNSSA for letting us record this...

Marketing is a crazy world, and there are tons of ideas about what works and what doesn't. This goes double for online marketing. The problem is that not every marketing strategy works for every industry or even every business in a given industry. Plenty of marketers who don't know the industry try to apply strategies that work in other industries but don't quite fit the landscape of self storage....

Do you take advantage of national, state, and local shows for you and your self storage teams? The education and networking opportunities at these events are essential for your success in this industry. Josh and Melissa recap two of the shows they recently attended in Mississippi and Tennessee and discuss some of the highlights, a few things they learned, and why they think you should go, whether...

Are you interested in constructing a new self storage facility? Have you thought about remodeling an existing facility? Do you know what materials to consider, what a reasonable timeline is, or even what questions to ask? In today's episode we cover just about everything from feasibility studies, to materials, to lease up. Special Guests: Nigel Kreft ( Storage Structures ) and Jeremy Rollwitz ( Th...

I'm sure most of us in self storage have insurance, but is it the right kind? Are the right things covered? What are the events that should trigger reevaluating your level of coverage? We aren't insurance agents, but we tackle a few of these key questions every facility owner should ask. If you need a solid agent, contact your local storage association for recommendations for your area. Brought to...

There's a lot of talk about making money in self storage, but what about the best ways to spend it? Do you have a handle on managing your finances? They're the lifeblood of any business. Without proper financial management, you can easily find yourself digging your business into a hole. See what our expert panelists have to say about keeping track of and even improving your self storage business's...

Finding balance between work and everything else can be a struggle, especially if you own and operate a self storage facility. Customer interactions, maintenance issues, and operational tasks don't always fit neatly into a 9-5, 40 hour a week job. How do you find balance? How much work is too much or not enough? Our hosts offer some tips about making the most of your time and focusing on what real...

Keeping your facility and your customers' belongings safe is one of your highest priorities. But, there are a lot of security features to choose from. Let's explore the range of security options, what matters most to customers, and what the future of self storage security looks like. Featured Speakers: Kristi Adams (Open Tech), Kevin Alvarado (Storable), & Hayden Buettner (Janus International). Br...

Self Storage has been booming lately, but is that season coming to an end? What concerns are facing our tenants? What are the concerns owners should have? Jane Sauls, a facility owner and self storage broker from Sauls Storage Group , joins us to talk about the market and what we should be looking out for as facility values settle down and as the country faces economic uncertainty. Brought to you...

Self storage has given a lot to us. It's helped pay the bills and provided income for thousands across the nation. Today, Lonnie Bickford (Appletree Storage, StorageAuctions.com) joins us to talk about giving back. His organization Storage Gives provides a unique way to contribute to vetted charitable organizations from the proceeds of our storage auctions. For more info, visit  StorageGives.org B...

If you're a self storage owner or manager, you probably get a few calls a week asking if your facility is for sale. What do you need to know to make the most of a sale? What should you look for when buying a new facility? Our experts join Tommy to discuss the market, buying, selling, and growing your facility. Guests: Jane Sauls ( Sauls Storage Group ), Kris Bennett ( PassiveInvesting.com ), and M...

The self storage world is always changing. One of the best ways to stay informed is to attend national and state shows. In this episode, we catch up with Chad Lundberg ( The Storage Group ) at the SSA Spring show. Chad is a part of the Self Storage Association of Michigan ( SSAM ) and loves shows like this for a ton of reasons. Melissa and Tommy also give their takes on the importance of continuin...

These days software is almost as essential as a building in self storage. But which program is the best? From Sitelink to Easy Storage Solutions to Web Self Storage (and just about everything in between), we cover the good, the bad, what brings a headache, and what we can't live without, all from an operator's/manager's perspective. Special Guests- Brian Ward, Erika Weidman, & Steven Jeffers Broug...

We caught up with special guest Tim Dietz (CEO of the Self Storage Association) at the SSA Spring Show in Orlando. Tim shared his take on the conference and the future of self storage. Is the outlook bright? Any big ticket legal items? How many attended the conference? You'll have to listen to find out. Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management .

Automation doesn't always mean unmanned. From leasing to access control to communication, there are self storage facilities implementing technology and automation across their business in all sorts of different ways. Find out how operators are navigating a modern world, when they're adding automation, and when they're not. Guests: AJ Osborne, Mason Levy, & Josh Parker Brought to you by StoragePug...