How I Made It How Sam Kennard built a $2.6b empire storing other people's stuff
Dec 17, 2023
Sam Kennard, an Australian entrepreneur, took the reins of Kennard's Self Storage at just 24 and transformed it into a $2.6 billion empire. He shares insights about his father's risk-taking spirit that fueled their business growth. Sam discusses his early leadership challenges, including a culture crisis he faced and how he revamped the company's ethos. He emphasizes the importance of strategic site selection and the role of family dynamics in business. With a focus on data-driven strategies, Sam unveils the complexities behind self-storage operations.
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Childhood Work Shaped Commitment
- Neville Kennard started packaging hire tools at home and involved his kids in the family work.
- Sam and his brother earned pocket money doing repetitive tasks while learning the business early on.
Degree Into Family Business During Recession
- Sam graduated in real estate during a deep recession and couldn't find external roles.
- He returned and joined Kennards Self Storage in April 1991 and started as an assistant manager.
Sudden Succession At 24
- At almost 25, Sam's father told him he'd retire and left for a year so Sam could run the business.
- Sam became CEO while managing roughly 13–14 properties and about 35 staff at the time.
