StorChats

In this episode of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes welcomes Randy Huber, Business Development Manager at Valston Construction, a general contractor specializing in self-storage, retail, and commercial projects across the Southeast. The two reconnect in Texas after six years in the industry—this time over pours of Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Heritage Barrel Rye, a 100-proof Tennessee rye with a...

In this episode of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes welcomes Dave Deems, Business Development Manager at Storage Asset Management (SAM) — one of the fastest-growing self-storage operators in the U.S., expanding from 40 to nearly 600 stores in just over a decade. In true Bourbon & Bullsh*t fashion, they kick things off with a twist — rum instead of bourbon — including a hand-selected Bacardi...

In this episode of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes welcomes “The Arizona Guys” — Andrew Wisdom and Jorge Varela from OpenTech Alliance — who flew in from Phoenix to Katy, Texas for a few good pours and even better stories. With bottles of Stagg Jr. (Batch 23C) and Elmer T. Lee 90 Proof open on the bar, the crew talks bourbon, business, fatherhood, and finding humour (and wisdom) in the grind. G...

In this episode of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes welcomes Joey (Joseph) Cottle, General Manager of Anthonie's Market Grill in Simonton, Texas - where Tuesdays mean legendary bourbon flights and live-music vibes. Between pours of E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof (Batch 13), a vintage 1995 Weller Antique 107, and Joey’s Elijah Craig Single Barrel pick, they talk bourbon, restaurant leadership, and buil...

In this episode, StorSuite CEO Scott Worden and VP of Sales & Client Success Damon Emerson dive into what truly sets great companies apart - service. Not the buzzword kind, but the real, lived-out, people-first approach that creates loyalty, trust, and yes, even hugs from clients. From Starbucks drive-thru moments to Disney “backstage” lessons, Scott and Damon share personal stories that shape...

In this episode of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO pours a comforting glass of Napa Gamay Rouge and opens up about one of the most challenging parts of leadership—balancing business and being human. From burnout and boundaries to imposter syndrome and emotional intelligence, Christina reflects on her own journey as a founder, sharing the behind-the-scenes stru...

Brews, bros, and… beef jerky? In this episode, StorSuite COO Scott Worden and VP of Sales & Client Success Damon Emerson sit down to talk about the real foundation of goal setting—why it matters, how to set achievable vs. stretch goals, and what it takes to stay motivated when life (and business) gets messy. From sports lessons that shaped their mindset to the daily habits and tools they rely...

In this StorSuite special of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO and founder of FineView Marketing, pours a bold Cabernet Franc and sits down with StorSuite’s Director of Marketing, Operations, and Services, Taylor Johnson, to bust the biggest myths in storage marketing. From the “set it and forget it” website myth to the misconception that more traffic always mea...

Tip of the Day | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John Manes Ep 6   Everyone asks John Manes the same question: “How do I get started in storage?” In this episode, he breaks it down into 4 no-BS steps: 1. Get in the right room 2. Find your resources 3. Give before you ask 4. Then make your ask   Whether you’re looking at self-storage, real estate, or any business, these principles will help yo...

Join Co-Founders Damon Emerson (VP of Sales & Client Success) and Scott Worden (COO) for another episode of Bros, Brews, and Business, as they swap their favorite movie quotes and unpack how films can inspire, motivate, and break up the grind of sales and leadership.   Pull up a chair (and maybe a bucket of popcorn) for a conversation where they cover: • Sales lessons from classics like Glenga...

In this StorSuite special of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO and founder of FineView Marketing, swaps her usual red for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and takes us on the winding journey from launching a boutique marketing agency to merging with StorSuite. From the early days of consulting for a handful of self-storage facilities to building a 60-person team combinin...

In this birthday special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes sits down with longtime friend and first-time business owner Bradley Elliott for a conversation about bourbon, entrepreneurship, and work ethic — all while sipping Rabbit Hole Cavehill.   What starts with a bottle pop quickly turns into a deep dive into Bradley’s journey from BB guns and blue-collar grind to buying his first small busi...

Join Co-Founders Damon Emerson (VP of Sales & Client Success) and Scott Worden (COO) for the premiere of their podcast Bros, Brews, and Business, as they have honest conversation about their journey from the sports field to the self-storage boardroom. Grab a mug (or a can) and join them for a candid first episode where they cover: • Why sports taught them more about business than business scho...

In this StorSuite special of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO and lifelong entrepreneur, pours a glass of red and shares her unfiltered origin story in business, leadership, and self storage. From the steel towns of Pittsburgh to founding a marketing agency and now leading a portfolio of brands under StorSuite, Christina opens up about the women who shaped her,...

In this StorSuite special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes breaks down the most misunderstood metric in self-storage investing: the cap rate. Over a pour of Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon (because this episode deserves a classic), John calls BS on broker proformas, unrealistic expense ratios, and overpriced deals that don’t pencil out in today’s interest rate environment. If you’re buying o...

In this StorSuite special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes sits down with Peter Spickenagel—owner/operator, industry veteran, and longtime friend—for a candid conversation over a pour of Rowan’s Creek Bourbon (crafted by Willett Distillery). From touring in bands to building a self-storage portfolio from the ground up, Peter shares how a call from his mom led to a $13/hour job that launched a...

Welcome to the first episode of Success with Jess! Jessica Johnson is back on the mic to share battle-tested insights on how small tweaks can lead to big success in your business—and in life. Today, Jess dives into why your storage facility should prioritize renting online instead of reserving, and how this strategy creates faster move-ins, better revenue certainty, and happier custom`ers. Whether...

In this StorSuite special of Bourbon and Bullshit, John Manes sits down with David Allan, President of Apple Self Storage, for a no-BS conversation over a pour of Rowan's Creek Bourbon (crafted by Willett Distillery). With 54 facilities and over 2.4 million square feet under management, David shares his real-world lessons on scaling from 10 to 50+ self-storage sites in Canada—and what pain points...

Join StorSuite Chairman and bourbon enthusiast John Manes for the premiere of "Bourbon and Bullshit." In this episode, John sits down with Damon Emerson, StorSuite's VP of Sales and Client Success, as they share a glass from John's personal bourbon collection. They discuss industry insights, leadership lessons, and candid experiences from their careers in self-storage. Grab your favorite drink and...