The Do More Podcast

Today, Jon is diving into the top three things that helped him scale to 18 self-storage facilities. This isn’t about bragging—it’s about sharing insights that would have been incredibly valuable to him a few years ago when he was just getting started.First, building a strong foundation in real estate was critical. Jon spent years educating himself and gaining hands-on experience before making his first major move.Second, he focused on acquiring properties within his home state of Ohio. Deep familiarity with local markets and strong relationships with sellers played a significant role in his growth.Finally, Jon emphasizes the importance of consistent action and ongoing education. Success isn’t just about acquisitions—it’s about networking, learning, and staying engaged.By applying these principles, others can begin paving their own path in real estate as well.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential for measuring success in self-storage—and really, any business. In this episode, Jon dives into why KPIs matter more than ever. Self-storage is no longer just a hobby; it’s a serious business that requires attention to detail and accountability. Jon breaks down how he approaches KPIs by focusing on the big picture, like money collected and cash flow, while his team tracks more granular metrics to ensure strong performance. Together, these KPIs create a clear snapshot of where the business stands and where there’s room for improvement. Whether you’re in self-storage or another industry, understanding and using KPIs can help guide your business in the right direction and keep everyone aligned.

Rod Khleif joins Jon for an engaging conversation on the power of mindset in achieving success and overcoming adversity. He shares his compelling journey from growing up in a Dutch immigrant family struggling to make ends meet to becoming a multifamily real estate mogul, once owning a portfolio of over 2,000 properties. Rod emphasizes that an astonishing 80–90% of success comes from mindset and psychology—not just the mechanics of business. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the importance of pushing through challenges, practicing gratitude, and giving back to the community. By the end of the episode, listeners are inspired to tap into their inner drive, set meaningful goals, and embrace growth, no matter the obstacles they face.

Christine Valdez joins Jon to share her extensive experience in both the pharmaceutical industry and real estate investing. With over 30 years as a regional sales director, Christine has built a diverse portfolio that includes single-family homes in California and Texas, along with multifamily investments and digital marketing ventures.We dive deep into the challenges and strategies of navigating real estate—especially in landlord-unfriendly markets like California—and how she balances a demanding career with her passion for investing. Christine emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you know and love in real estate, avoiding the pitfalls of jumping between asset classes without true mastery. She also shares valuable insights on leadership, personal development, and the importance of giving back, offering a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to thrive both professionally and personally.

Jon dives into six significant changes in the self-storage industry that have emerged since 2021. One of the main points he emphasizes is how the landscape for buying storage facilities has become increasingly challenging; deals that once promised to double in value within a year are now harder to find. He discusses the shift from a focus on rapid value increases to a more cash-flow-oriented approach, highlighting the importance of long-term stability in investments. Jon also reflects on how underwriting now includes a variety of fees that were not considered before, and he stresses the necessity of adapting to current market realities, such as occupancy rates and customer service expectations. Overall, this episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to navigate the evolving world of self-storage investments.

Closing on a property is never as easy as it looks, and in this episode, Jon dives straight into that reality. He shares his firsthand experience navigating a closing that was far from smooth—made even more stressful by the timing right before Christmas. Jon breaks down the hard truths that surfaced along the way, including why closings are rarely clean and just how critical strong relationships with your team can be. He also highlights key lessons learned, like the value of having a dependable attorney and the importance of persistence when obstacles arise. If you’re in the real estate game, this episode offers insights that could save you time, stress, and a few headaches down the road.

Jon dives into the idea of going all in on your goals and staying committed for the long haul. He shares his perspective on New Year’s resolutions, noting how they often lose momentum just weeks into the year. Instead, Jon emphasizes the power of setting long-term goals—thinking one, five, or even ten years ahead. Drawing from his own journey in self-storage and real estate investing, he highlights how focus and commitment to a single niche can create momentum over time. As Jon has experienced through his recent deals, when you fully dedicate yourself, opportunities begin to flow more naturally. This conversation explores what it truly means to be all in and how that mindset can reshape the path to long-term success.

Navigating the self-storage industry can be daunting, but Jon's latest podcast episode sheds light on some exciting developments within the Storage Rebellion community. As the new leader of the Insiders group, Jon discusses his journey and the inspiration behind stepping into this role. Attending a Storage Rebellion insiders event in Nashville reignited his passion for the community and highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in achieving success. He shares past experiences with the group and how those connections have propelled their growth as an investor.

Learn more about the importance of long-term planning and strategic vision in growing a successful storage business.We’re talking about the world of self-storage with Andrew Freeman, co-founder of KO Storage. Andrew’s journey from e-commerce to self-storage is pretty remarkable, showcasing how he identified an opportunity in a market ripe for innovation and consolidation.We talk about how he turned a struggling 90-unit facility into a thriving operation by rolling up his sleeves and tackling every aspect of the business, which ultimately laid the groundwork for their current success.Andrew also shares insights on the importance of adapting management strategies to different market dynamics and how technology is reshaping the industry. Stick around as we unpack the lessons learned along the way and explore the future of self-storage in an ever-evolving landscape.Takeaways:Andrew shares his journey from e-commerce to self-storage, highlighting the unique opportunities in the industry.The importance of hands-on experience is emphasized, as Andrew details how he personally managed operations during early growth.Andrew discusses the significance of technology in modern self-storage management, noting the shift to automation and remote systems.We highlight the evolving landscape of self-storage and the trend of consolidation among operators in the market.Freeman explains how he transitioned from being directly involved in acquisitions to empowering his team to take over that role.Thanks for following, subscribing and listening to this episode of The Do More podcast hosted by Jon Farling. To learn more or ask questions, go to l4investing.com.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/The Do More Podcast

Ian Noble shares his journey from working in his family's dry cleaning business to becoming a successful entrepreneur and real estate investor. He discusses how he took over the business during a recession and navigated challenges like COVID-19, ultimately leading to a successful exit. Ian emphasizes the importance of hard work and adapting to changing market conditions, highlighting how his experience in dry cleaning laid the groundwork for his venture into real estate. He talks about the dynamics of mobile home parks and syndications, explaining how these investments can be a smart strategy for building wealth and providing affordable housing. Free Passive Investing in Real Estate Cheat Sheet: https://go.runsteadyinvestments.com/do-more-podcastJoin My Passive Investor Mailing List: runsteadyinvestments.com/investor-clubLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/iannoble1/Instagram: @ian_investsTakeaways: Ian Noble shares his journey from a family-run dry cleaning business to real estate investing, emphasizing the importance of hard work and learning every position. He discusses the impact of the 2008 recession on career decisions, illustrating how networking opened doors and shaped his entrepreneurial path. Noble highlights the benefits of mobile home parks as an investment strategy, focusing on their supply cap and stability in affordable housing markets. A significant lesson from his experience is the importance of vetting investment partners thoroughly to ensure alignment of values and objectives. He stresses the emotional challenges entrepreneurs face during transitions, especially after selling a business and finding a new purpose in life. Noble's approach to syndications showcases how he combines personal experience with due diligence to guide others in real estate investments.Thanks for following, subscribing and listening to this episode of The Do More podcast hosted by Jon Farling. To learn more or ask questions, go to l4investing.com.The Do More Podcast https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/