Gabfocus Self Storage Podcast

How important is social media? Is a manager really necessary? Tenant protection or tenant insurance? These were the topics debated at the 2023 Tennessee Self Storage Association conference in Nashville. Our participants gave great arguments on all sides of these issues. But who won? We go through the arguments, highlight our favorite points, and declare our winners. Plus, some takeaways from the Texas show and a few solid recommendations from our weeks on the road. Hosts: Melissa Huff & Josh Huff Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

We're excited to welcome Scott Zucker, one of the best self storage attorneys, to the podcast. You may be familiar with Scott's work as his expertise has played a role in many leases and laws throughout the storage world. But you may not be as familiar with him as an author or baseball fan. Today, we cover all three as we hear some incredible storage stories, get Scott's take on his most asked questions (hint... it involves dead people), and hear about his start both in self storage and as an author. Featured Guest: Scott Zucker Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff Recommendations: Self Storage Legal Network, Scott's Books Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Marketing can be a maze of acronyms, analytics, and ad management, but it doesn't have to be. Simple solutions are out there for even a beginner self storage manager or owner to utilize. Today we tackle some takeaways from a few of the recent shows we attended. In particular, we get practical with marketing, give away some tools to help verify your marketing is doing what it is supposed to do, and share some QR code secrets you can put into practice. Plus, our recommendations at the end to brighten your day. Hosts: Josh Huff, Melissa Huff Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

We're back with a fresh webinar episode focussing on data & reports. What reports should you focus on? What metrics should you be measuring? What data tells the true story of your self storage facility and what can be misleading? Our amazing guests shed light on the key things to consider when analyzing the data and reports for your self storage operation. Just about everything from marketing, to occupancy, to manager involvement are covered. Guests: Alyssa Quill (CEO: Storage Asset Management), Jeremy Rollwitz (Regional Manager: The Jenkins Organization), and Cherolyn Johnson Chiang (Director of Marketing: The Jenkins Organization) Hosts: Melissa Huff (Co-Owner: Lighthouse Storage Solutions) and Tommy Nguyen (Co-Founder: StoragePug)

We're LIVE from Las Vegas at the SSA Fall Conference and Expo! There is a ton happening in our industry, from technology to marketing to operations. We learned a lot, plus spent plenty of time building relationships with our storage family. Listen in on a few key takeaways from days one and two of the conference, plus a few teasers for topics we'll be covering in future episodes. Also, our recommendations if you're ever in Vegas and need a great tattoo or a tasty dinner. Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Are you just getting started in self storage? Have you been around for a bit and want to hear what another operator is up to? From new tech, to building plans, to the benefits of your state association, we cover a ton of territory with some very special guests. Max & Allison Vallotton from Gate 5 Self Storage joined us for a fun remote podcast LIVE from Augusta, GA. They share their story of getting into the industry and several lessons learned along the way. There's something for everyone in this episode, including some unique recommendations at the end. Hosts: Josh Huff, Melissa Huff, Max Vallotton, & Allison Vallotton Learn more about Gate 5 Self Storage Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Industry experts Sue Haviland and Terry Campbell join hosts Tommy and Melissa for our monthly webinar rebroadcast focused on team management. We covered a ton from hiring top talent, identifying red and green flags, and implementing effective training programs to nurturing employee growth, retaining staff with attractive perks, and resolving conflicts. Discover strategies for training employees in various areas like sales, marketing, maintenance, collections, conflict resolution, and customer service, as well as engaging in a lively lightning round to wrap it up. Guests: Sue Haviland (Owner: Haviland Storage Services) & Terry Campbell (CEO: Copper Storage Management) Hosts: Melissa Huff (Lightouse Storage Solutions) & Tommy Nguyen (StoragePug)

Picture a vibrant luncheon near Memphis, TN, where attendees gathered around round tables, engaging in lively discussions about occupancy, marketing, and preferred vendors. The event kicked off on a light note with the question "What's the craziest thing you found in your units?" Listen in as we share the most intriguing and hilarious stories that emerged from this icebreaker. But it's not just about the tales; this episode underscores the immense value of attending such gatherings and other self-storage shows. Discover how these events serve as educational hubs and unparalleled networking opportunities for industry professionals like you. Hosts: Melissa Huff and Josh Huff Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

What is the best self storage software? What should it do for you? What are the must-have features? Software is essential for the success of your self storage business, from online rentals, to facility maps, to integrations. We've seen a lot of questions online about which company to choose and which options are important. There are a ton of great options out there with more popping up all the time. We share our top features and things to keep in mind as you consider moving to a new platform or look to use it for the first time. Plus, we share a few recommendations at the end about new tech we're enjoying for work and play. Learn from our experience using one of these softwares during our move in- Episode 49 We Rented a Storage Unit Hosts: Melissa Huff and Josh Huff Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Do you know what it takes to maintain your self storage facility? What preventative maintenance should you schedule and when is it time to replace vs repair? Join us for a maintenance-focused episode where self-storage experts Jackie Belau and Nigel Kreft join Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff for an insightful discussion. From gates and fences to doors and locks, we explore various options and their pros and cons. Discover maintenance tips for walls, siding, and roofs, along with the importance of signage, presentation, and cleanliness. Guests: Jackie Belau (Everbrite Coatings) & Nigel Kreft (Storage Structures) Hosts: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff Brought to you by the teams at Lighthouse Storage Solutions and StoragePug For more on this topic check out our past episode- "Storage Maintenance Part 1: The Property"