Gabfocus Self Storage Podcast

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 get started, and how to keep them updated in the self storage world. Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions Crafting Your Self-Storage Operation's Policies and Procedures: Why, How and When- Article from ISS

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 simple or are there some snags? Plus, we reflect on a wild couple weeks for our new businesses and make a few recommendations. Hosts: Josh Huff (Lighthouse Storage Solutions) and Melissa Huff (Melissa's Management & Consulting)

We open up the Facebook mailbag today, grabbing some popular questions from various self storage groups. As Melissa says, there are no bad questions, but there are some questionable answers. We hit on three common issues that had a few of those questionable responses: What do you do about someone who won't setup auto pay? What are the do's and don'ts for social media posts? How many times do I put up with a tenant who swoops in last minute to pay before their stuff goes to auction? We highlight some good responses and add a few of our own to these important topics. Plus, our recommendations at the end. Do you have a questions you'd like us to address? Let us know and we'll tackle what we can in future episodes. Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff (Melissa's Management & Consulting) Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

In this special rebroadcast episode, we take you back to a recent webinar where Anthony Krupa from the Self Storage Networking and Acquisitions Group hosted Josh and Melissa as guest speakers. Join us as we delve into their fascinating self storage journeys, tracing their origins, and exploring their current ventures with Lighthouse Storage Solutions and Melissa's Management & Consulting. Discover how they have provided invaluable support and guidance to vendors, owners, and operators in the self storage industry. As the group posed their questions, Josh and Melissa shared insights on camera recommendations, effective marketing strategies, essential facility management programs, and more. Hosts: Melissa Huff, Josh Huff, & Anthony Krupa

This is a rebroadcast of the insightful "Storage Tech Summit" webinar from our monthly Gabfocus. Featuring Chuck Gordon, the CEO of Storable, and Raheem Amer, the President of Mini Mall Storage, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the world of self storage technology. Discover the state of storage tech, the latest trends and innovations, and the impact of automation on the industry. Gain valuable insights into communication systems, software solutions, and enhancing facility security. Chuck and Raheem share their experiences and discuss the future of technology in the storage industry. Plus, they dive into the must have technologies for every self storage facility.  Guests: Chuck Gordon (CEO of Storable) and Raheem Amer (President of Mini Mall Storage) Hosts: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen Produced by StoragePug and Lighthouse Storage Solutions

In this second installment of our maintenance series, Melissa and Josh navigate through the integral aspects of marketing and operations for your self-storage facility. Discover how routine attention to your digital tools like your website and Google utilities can ensure they remain effective marketing instruments. But it's not just about marketing: they'll also shed light on operational maintenance, emphasizing the significance of employee training, staying up-to-date with state laws, and the crucial role of continuous education. All these tasks, when intentionally maintained, contribute to the seamless and successful operation of your self-storage facility. So, gear up and get ready to unlock the door to a well-oiled self-storage operation! Hosts: Josh Huff and Melissa Huff Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

How are you maintaining your self storage facility? This is part one of a series, focussing on the importance of maintenance, but not just mowing and cleaning. Maintenance is important for employees, operations, and marketing too. But, in this episode, we start with the importance of routine maintenance for your self-storage property. Discover how sticking to a schedule, utilizing a checklist, and staying proactive can help you avoid larger problems down the road and keep your facility in tip-top shape. Join us as we share insights on the best practices for seasonal, quarterly, monthly, weekly, and unit-specific maintenance tasks, and learn how to prevent major expenses through regular care and attention. Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Who's ready to play "That's Not Self Storage!" Josh and Melissa dive into various storage options and determine whether they qualify as self storage or not. From a traditional 10x10 storage unit to more unconventional options like valet parking and safety deposit boxes, the duo breaks down each option and explains why it does or does not fall under the self storage category. Throughout the episode, Melissa emphasizes the importance of the "care, custody, and control" aspect of self storage and how it differentiates it from other storage options. Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Industry experts Adam Steckler (StorageMart) and Drew Pearson (Pearson Partners) share their thoughts on evaluating, managing, and growing storage facilities. They emphasize the importance of data-driven decision-making, with Adam highlighting the use of scorecards to monitor performance and guide improvements, while Drew discusses the significance of key metrics, such as lead-to-lease conversion rates. Both experts share their strategies for operations, technology implementation, and team management, emphasizing the value of having the right people and consistent processes in place. At the end of the podcast, Drew points out that "real estate does not run itself, people run real estate. If you get the people right, everything falls into place." Listen in to gain valuable insights and actionable tips for your storage business. Guests: Adam Steckler and Drew Pearson Hosts: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of successful self storage auctions? We cover a ton, from the importance of following state lien laws, to balancing business with compassion, to tips about avoiding auctions all together. But don't worry, it's not all serious business - we'll also throw in some auction humor to keep you entertained. And if that's not enough, we'll give you the inside scoop on Josh's exciting new storage venture, Lighthouse Storage Solutions. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn the do's and don'ts of self storage auctions. Hosts: Josh Huff and Melissa Huff