Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

Hosted by Mark Helm

Business Education

Website RSS feed

Episodes

208

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Self-storage investor, CCIM and bestselling author Mark Helm shares what he has learned since 2000 about buying, building, converting and operating self-storage facilities. Each episode gives small and first-time investors practical, no-fluff guidance on deals, financing, feasibility and operations. New to self storage? Start with Mark's free 3-part video series: https://thequickstartacademy.com/p/free-3-part-video-series

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 23, 202613 min

Our Proformas Are Living in the Past – It Is Time To Change That

The self-storage industry is evolving fast, and one of the biggest challenges we struggle with is financial modeling today. If you are in the acquisition business of self-storage, you have subscriptions to data platforms. We use the data to make assumptions such as rental rate, market health, how fast a project will absorb new square feet, etc. Next, we plow those assumptions into Excel or something like the Storage World Analyzer and get some kind of financial model to predict the future. This process has worked well over the years, but now, not so much. LET ME SHARE THE FUTURE OF SELF-STORAGE PROFORMAS, or at least how I see it. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

October 16, 202610 min

Three Ways a Smaller Operator Can Win the Customer Game Against REITs

I will admit that a few years ago I was scared of competing in a market against REITs. Well, yes, they have a lot more money than I do, and yes, I had my doubts about whether I could compete for the same customers and win. Those days are over. I am clear that smaller facility owners who are willing to learn and play the game can go head-to-head and win. Also, there is a free download you can get with some measurements for the third way I discuss. The link is below. Free download from this episode: The Community Scorecard New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

September 25, 20268 min

What the 2026 StorageCafe Survey Is Telling Us

One of the advantages of being a smaller self-storage operator is that — unlike the REITs and larger players who focus on their investors and stockholders — we can focus on the real source of our success: our customers. I found the StorageCafe (an online marketplace for consumers) newly released survey on self-storage in 2026 very interesting. Let’s explore the results and what they can mean for us smaller owner-operators. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

September 11, 202614 min

The Storage Business I Knew Is Gone – Here’s What’s Coming Next

As I look to the future, as I regularly do as a business owner, I realize that the self-storage business of the past will most likely not be the industry of the future. Let’s jump into the time machine and take a look at self-storage in the years ahead. Hint: To a large degree, this future landscape is already here. Don’t tell anyone. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

September 4, 202612 min

Why I am Not A Fan Of Storage Funds

Let me tell you why I am not a big fan of large storage funds. I was recently reminded of this when I read an article in the ISS Newsfeed. We have got to do something to restore the image of our industry and I think the time to start is now. Let me explain in this episode. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

August 21, 202612 min

Put a Bullseye on Your Customer: Why Landing Pages Still Win in Self-Storage

I don’t see owners utilizing landing pages that much anymore in online self-storage marketing, and I am not sure why. I suspect it is because it has been beat into our heads that reduced clicks for consumers is the holy grail for online marketing success. Now I am all about reducing friction to renting units online, but let me tell you why I am still a firm believer in landing pages. Even today! New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

August 14, 202610 min

What the Jobs Report, CPI, and Bond Market May Be Telling Us About Interest Rates

It has been a while since I used an SBA loan to develop some storage, but I am in a deal where we are using it now for a boat and RV development. We are racing to get it closed by Sept. 14 because the deal was underwritten at today’s interest rates, and if rates go up and the deal is not closed…well, it has to be underwritten at the new rate. Let’s look at 2 key reports I have been keeping a watch for and how the market reacted to them, and let’s make a prediction where interest rates are going in Sept. and beyond. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

August 7, 202610 min

The One Habit I Wish I Had Started Early In My Career

I have made a lot of mistakes over my business career and done a few things right. Fortunately, it only takes a few good decisions, and some grace from the universe, to be successful. But if there is one lesson I wish I had learned early in my career, it is… in this episode. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

July 31, 202611 min

Why the Smaller Investor Can Win in Today’s Self-Storage Market

As I move through some of the various deals I am involved with today, the markets and the deals themselves are changing at a very rapid pace. Let’s look at what is behind these changes and the big advantage this current environment can offer the smaller investor/operator. I think you may be surprised. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

July 24, 202617 min

The First-Call Offer: A Different Approach to Finding Off-Market Self-Storage Deals

I think trying to find off-market listings is hard as well today. As a storage owner, I get, on average, 10 texts a week, lots of letters a month, and perhaps one to two calls every week or so about selling my facility. Some inquiries even come for properties I sold years ago (not sure what lists out there show us as owners). The reality is, for the most part, the way most of us try to connect with and buy off-market properties doesn’t work very well. Perhaps there is a better way to stand out from the herd. Try this method and see if it may help. New to self storage? Start here: Mark’s free 3-part video series Courses: The QuickStart Academy Software: Storage World Analyzer Books: The Creative Method of Wealth Generation · Creating Wealth Through Self Storage Free tools: 5 KPIs ebook · 4 Critical Metrics · Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator Store: QuickStart Academy Store Follow Mark: Blog · YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Facebook · X

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts