Gabfocus Self Storage Podcast
Melissa Huff, Josh Huff, Tommy Nguyen
Listen in as we gab about the self storage industry and focus in on particular areas. Want to learn more about auctions, operations, management, marketing, best practices, customer service, and more? Interested in what the best in the industry have to say? Melissa Huff and Josh Huff tap into a combined 30+ years of experience on operations and marketing to speak to the issues that concern owners and operators. This is also the place for the monthly Gabfocus webinar rebroadcasts where Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen bring in nationally recognized speakers, leaders of companies, and top experts to help you maximize your self-storage business, optimize your management team, and prepare for what's ahead.
Brought to you by the teams at Lighthouse Storage Solutions and StoragePug.
Brought to you by the teams at Lighthouse Storage Solutions and StoragePug.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 6, 2022 • 1h 10min
RV and Boat Storage
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 features experts and veterans in the field that can give you the perspective you need! Episode Resources here Guests: Terry Anderson, Barry Raber, & Greg Ellsworth Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management
Sep 27, 2022 • 58min
LIVE Q&A From the TNSSA Fall Conference
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 session. Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management
Sep 1, 2022 • 1h 23min
Marketing That Matters
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. Today we hear from marketing professionals that actually work inside the self storage industry! Speakers: Grace Totty (Absolute Storage Management) & Tommy Nguyen (StoragePug) Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management.
Aug 18, 2022 • 23min
Storage Shows Are Essential
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 it's an SSA event in Vegas or a local luncheon. Brought to you by Affordable Storage Guys Management and StoragePug.
Jul 29, 2022 • 1h 30min
Constructing Your Facility
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 (The Jenkins Organization) Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management
Jul 14, 2022 • 17min
Insurance is Important
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 you by StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management
Jun 30, 2022 • 1h 19min
Managing Your Finances
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 finances as we learn about accounting, revenue management, preparing for a recession, and a little bit about taxes. Guests: Magen Smith (Atomic Storage Group) & Alex Erbs (Erbs Management Group) Brought to you by StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management
Jun 16, 2022 • 30min
Work Life Balance
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 really matters to you. Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management.
Jun 2, 2022 • 1h 20min
Security, Gates, and Smart Units
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). Brought to you by StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management
May 19, 2022 • 27min
Understanding the Market with Jane Sauls
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 by StoragePug and Affordable Storage Guys Management.
