The Self Storage Show

Hosted by The Storage Marketplace

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

386

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to "The Self Storage Show," your ultimate resource for everything related to the self storage industry. Hosted by industry expert Jim Ross from 3 Mile Storage Management, this podcast delves into the latest trends, tips, and strategies to help self storage owners and managers optimize their operations and grow their businesses. Each episode features insightful interviews with leading industry professionals, practical advice on marketing, operations, and customer service, as well as innovative solutions to common challenges faced by self-storage facilities. From maximizing occupancy rates to enhancing security measures, "The Self Storage Show" covers it all. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to the self storage industry, tune in to "The Self Storage Show" to stay informed and inspired. Join us every week for engaging discussions and actionable insights that will help you take your self storage business to the next level.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 10, 202621 min

No Tricks, Just Self Storage Insights & Innovation | AI Overview #102

No tricks. Just real conversations, fresh ideas, and a little Halloween spirit! 🎃 What you'd normally spend an hour experiencing live... condensed into minutes. This is an AI-generated episode of The Storage Marketplace Podcast , created from Storage Meetup #102 , recorded live on October 30, 2026 . With Halloween just around the corner, the self storage community gathered for another Friday of connecting, learning, and sharing what's happening across the industry. Every week, self storage owners, operators, managers, vendors, and industry professionals come together for open conversations, live Show & Tell demonstrations, attendee questions, and the exchange of practical ideas. No scripted webinars. No endless sales pitches. Just an opportunity to learn from people working in self storage every day. In this AI-generated overview, we explore the ideas and themes that make these weekly conversations valuable, including: Operations & Management: Real challenges, practical solutions, and lessons from running self storage facilities AI & Automation: How emerging technology is creating new opportunities for owners and operators Marketing & Customer Acquisition: Strategies for improving visibility, attracting renters, and increasing conversions Industry Tools & Innovation: New software, services, and solutions worth exploring Weekly Show & Tell: Sharing tools, ideas, and experiences with the broader storage community Community & Collaboration: Why learning from other operators remains one of the industry's most valuable resources The biggest takeaway? The scariest thing in self storage might not be an empty facility or a competitor down the street. It might be trying to figure everything out on your own. That's why Storage Meetup exists. Every Friday, we bring together people willing to ask questions, share experiences, challenge ideas, and help one another build better businesses. This AI-generated podcast gives you a convenient way to catch up on the conversation. But the real value happens live. Come watch the Show & Tell. Ask a question. Share an idea. Discover a new tool. Meet another operator. Then stick around for the smaller breakout-room conversations. Storage Meetup happens live every Friday, and it's free to attend. 🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Storage Marketplace Podcast: https://thestoragemarketplace.com/podcast Join the next Storage Meetup: https://thestoragemarketplace.com/meetup Connect. Learn. Grow. The industry keeps changing. The conversations keep evolving. And every Friday, there's something new to learn. We'll save you a seat!

November 6, 202618 min

Vendor Deep Dive: Black Swan Storage | Self Storage Feasibility Studies & Investment Analysis

Thinking about building a new self storage facility? Before you purchase land, secure financing, or start construction, there's one critical question you need to answer: Does the market actually support your project? In this Storage Marketplace Vendor Deep Dive , we're taking a closer look at Black Swan Storage , a company specializing in feasibility studies and financial analysis for self storage development and investment projects. Black Swan Storage helps developers, investors, and prospective facility owners evaluate potential opportunities before committing significant capital. Their feasibility studies examine everything from local market demand and competition to construction costs, projected revenue, unit mix recommendations, and potential investment returns. These reports can also provide important documentation for lenders evaluating self storage development financing. In this episode, we explore: Why feasibility studies are essential before developing a self storage facility Evaluating local market demand and growth potential Analyzing existing competitors and market conditions Determining the right unit mix for a proposed facility Estimating construction and development costs Projecting rental revenue and operating performance Evaluating potential investment returns Understanding lender requirements for development financing How feasibility studies help identify risks before investing Preliminary consultations for investors and first-time developers Whether you're considering your first self storage development or evaluating another investment opportunity, understanding the numbers before moving forward can make all the difference. About Vendor Deep Dive Vendor Deep Dive is a recurring series from The Storage Marketplace Podcast , designed to help self storage owners and operators better understand the companies, products, technology, and services available throughout the industry. Using AI-generated podcast discussions based on vendor information, we explore what companies do, how their solutions work, and the problems they're designed to solve. No traditional sales interviews. Just an opportunity to learn more about the businesses and solutions serving self storage. Want to learn more about Black Swan Storage? Visit https://thestoragemarketplace.com to explore Black Swan Storage's virtual booth, learn more about their feasibility studies, and discover how they can help evaluate your next self storage investment or development opportunity. 🎙️ The Storage Marketplace Podcast Real operators. Real tools. Real results.

November 3, 202620 min

The Next 100 Start Here: Real Self Storage Conversations | AI Overview #101

100 meetups behind us. The next 100 start now. What you'd normally spend an hour experiencing live... condensed into minutes. This is an AI-generated episode of The Storage Marketplace Podcast , created from Storage Meetup #101 , recorded live on October 23, 2026 . After celebrating our 100th Storage Meetup, we're right back to doing what brought this community together in the first place. Showing up every Friday. Talking shop. Sharing ideas. Learning from each other. Every week, self-storage owners, operators, managers, vendors, investors, and industry professionals gather in a live Zoom room to discuss what's happening across the industry. No scripted presentations. No complicated agendas. Just real conversations, practical ideas, and a community willing to help one another succeed. In this AI-generated overview, we explore the kinds of ideas and discussions that make Storage Meetup valuable, including: Operations & Management: Practical challenges, solutions, and lessons from running self-storage facilities Marketing & Customer Acquisition: Ideas for attracting renters, improving visibility, and increasing conversions AI & Automation: How technology is creating new opportunities for storage owners and operators Industry Tools & Innovation: New services, software, and solutions worth exploring Weekly Show & Tell: Learning from the tools, strategies, and experiences shared by industry professionals Community & Collaboration: Why connecting with others in the industry remains one of the best ways to grow The biggest takeaway? You don't have to figure everything out on your own. Somewhere in the self-storage industry, someone has probably already faced the challenge you're dealing with, tested the idea you're considering, or discovered a solution that could save you time and money. And every Friday, we bring those people together. This AI-generated podcast gives you a convenient way to catch up on the latest Storage Meetup. But the real value isn't just hearing what happened. It's being part of the conversation. Come ask a question. Share something you've learned. Discover a new tool. Meet another operator. Stick around for the breakout rooms. Storage Meetup happens live every Friday . No registration. No membership. No cost. 🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Storage Marketplace Podcast: https://thestoragemarketplace.com/podcast Want to join us live? https://thestoragemarketplace.com/ Connect. Learn. Grow. We didn't reach 100 meetups because of fancy presentations or elaborate productions. We reached 100 because people kept showing up for each other. Here's to the next 100 Fridays. We'll save you a seat.

October 30, 202621 min

Vendor Deep Dive: StorIQ | AI Marketing Agents for Self-Storage Growth

What if your self-storage facility had an AI-powered marketing team working around the clock to attract more renters, improve local search visibility, and track exactly which marketing efforts produce actual move-ins? In this Storage Marketplace Vendor Deep Dive , we're taking a closer look at StorIQ , an AI-driven marketing platform designed specifically for the self-storage industry. StorIQ offers an alternative to traditional marketing agencies by using automated AI marketing agents to manage Google Business Profiles, optimize paid advertising, and strengthen local search visibility. But what makes StorIQ particularly interesting is its focus on actual rentals rather than just clicks, impressions, and website traffic. By integrating with facility management software, StorIQ connects marketing performance to real move-ins, helping operators better understand their return on investment and make smarter marketing decisions. In this episode, we explore: How AI marketing agents work for self-storage facilities Automating Google Business Profile management and optimization Improving local SEO and search visibility Using AI to manage and optimize paid advertising campaigns Connecting marketing performance directly to actual move-ins Tracking marketing ROI instead of relying on clicks and impressions How facility management software integrations improve attribution Reducing customer acquisition costs through smarter marketing Comparing AI-powered marketing automation with traditional agencies Flexible marketing solutions for individual facilities and larger portfolios About Vendor Deep Dive Vendor Deep Dive is a recurring series from The Storage Marketplace Podcast , designed to help self-storage owners and operators better understand the companies, products, technology, and services available throughout the industry. Using AI-generated podcast discussions based on vendor information, we explore what companies do, how their solutions work, and the problems they're designed to solve. No traditional sales interviews. Just an opportunity to learn more about the businesses and solutions serving self storage. Want to learn more about StorIQ? Visit https://thestoragemarketplace.com to explore StorIQ's virtual booth, discover its AI marketing solutions, and learn how the platform aims to help self-storage operators attract more renters while improving marketing efficiency. 🎙️ The Storage Marketplace Podcast Real operators. Real tools. Real results.

October 27, 202623 min

100 Fridays. Countless Ideas. One Self Storage Community. | AI Overview #100

100 Storage Meetups. 100 Fridays of connecting, learning, and growing together. What started as a simple opportunity for self-storage professionals to get together and talk shop has reached an incredible milestone. Welcome to Storage Meetup #100! This is an AI-generated episode of The Storage Marketplace Podcast , created from the live discussion at Storage Meetup #100 , recorded on October 16, 2026 . For 100 meetups, self-storage owners, operators, managers, vendors, investors, and industry professionals have been coming together to do something remarkably simple: Share what they know. Learn from each other. Build a stronger industry. No elaborate productions. No carefully scripted presentations. Just an open, welcoming community where conversations happen naturally, questions get answered, new tools are discovered, and relationships are built. And that's exactly what makes Storage Meetup special. This AI-generated overview celebrates our 100th meetup and explores the ideas and themes that continue to bring the self-storage community together, including: Weekly Show & Tell: Discovering tools, technology, and solutions being used across the industry AI & Automation: Exploring how emerging technology is changing the way storage facilities operate Marketing & Operations: Sharing practical ideas, strategies, and lessons from everyday challenges Industry Insights: Learning from the experiences and perspectives of owners, operators, managers, and vendors Community & Collaboration: Building relationships and helping one another succeed The Power of Showing Up: Why consistent conversations and shared knowledge can be more valuable than another presentation The biggest takeaway from 100 Storage Meetups? Some of the best ideas in self storage don't come from a stage, a conference, or a polished presentation. They come from conversations. Someone asks a question. Someone else shares an experience. Another person offers a different perspective. And suddenly, everyone in the room walks away knowing something they didn't know before. That's the magic of Storage Meetup. This podcast is an AI-generated overview of our 100th gathering, giving you a chance to catch up on the conversations and ideas from the live event. But here's the thing: You don't need to wait for another 100 meetups to become part of this community. We do this every Friday. Come watch the Show & Tell. Ask a question. Share an idea. Meet someone new. Discover a tool. Stick around for the breakout rooms. No registration. No membership. No cost. Just a community that keeps showing up. 🎧 Explore The Storage Marketplace Podcast: https://thestoragemarketplace.com/podcast Join us live every Friday: https://thestoragemarketplace.com/ Connect. Learn. Grow. 100 meetups down. And the best conversations are still ahead of us. We'll save you a seat next Friday.

October 23, 202619 min

Vendor Deep Dive: Ability Services | Self-Storage Facility Upgrades & SiteView Technology

What if you could see exactly how your self-storage facility would look after a renovation before the work even begins? In this Storage Marketplace Vendor Deep Dive , we're taking a closer look at Ability Services , a nationwide commercial contractor specializing in facility upgrades, renovations, and visual planning technology. Ability Services helps self-storage owners and operators improve their properties by bringing three essential services—painting, lighting, and flooring—together under one contract, simplifying the renovation process and reducing the headaches of managing multiple contractors. One of their standout offerings is SiteView , a visualization tool that uses aerial imagery to create photorealistic previews of proposed paint projects, helping property owners see potential improvements before committing to a renovation. In this episode, we explore: How Ability Services helps self-storage facilities modernize and improve their properties Commercial painting, lighting, and flooring services The advantages of coordinating multiple upgrades through one contractor How SiteView technology creates realistic previews of proposed paint projects Using visualizations to evaluate facility improvements before construction begins Improving property appearance and curb appeal Managing renovations while minimizing disruption to daily operations How strategic facility upgrades can support long-term property value About Vendor Deep Dive Vendor Deep Dive is a recurring series from The Storage Marketplace Podcast , designed to help self-storage owners and operators better understand the companies, products, technology, and services available throughout the industry. Using AI-generated podcast discussions based on vendor information, we explore what companies do, how their solutions work, and the problems they're designed to solve. No sales pitches. Just an opportunity to learn more about the businesses and solutions serving self storage. Want to learn more about Ability Services? Visit https://thestoragemarketplace.com to explore Ability Services' virtual booth, discover their services, and learn how they can help transform your self-storage property. 🎙️ The Storage Marketplace Podcast Real operators. Real tools. Real results.

October 20, 202623 min

99 Fridays of Self Storage Conversations, Ideas & Innovation | AI Overview #99

This is an AI-generated episode of The Storage Marketplace Podcast , created from Storage Meetup #99 , recorded live on October 9, 2026 . 99 meetups. Countless conversations. One growing self-storage community. Every Friday, self-storage owners, operators, managers, vendors, and industry professionals come together for something you don't find at every conference or webinar. An opportunity to connect, share ideas, ask questions, discover solutions, and learn from people who are actually working in the industry. Storage Meetup #99 continues that tradition with our Weekly Show & Tell, community conversations, industry insights, and the kind of spontaneous discussions that make every Friday different. In this AI-generated overview, we explore ideas and themes from the weekly meetup experience, including: The operational challenges and opportunities facing self-storage professionals Technology, AI, and automation transforming the industry Marketing strategies and new approaches to attracting renters Tools, services, and innovations shared through our Weekly Show & Tell The importance of learning from fellow owners, operators, managers, and vendors How a growing virtual community is changing the way the self-storage industry connects and shares knowledge The biggest takeaway? You don't need to wait for the next industry conference to learn something valuable, discover a solution, or connect with someone who understands your business. You just need to show up on Friday. And with our 100th Storage Meetup right around the corner, it's a reminder of what happens when an industry community keeps showing up, sharing ideas, and helping one another grow. This AI-generated podcast gives you the highlights. But the real value happens live. Every Friday, storage professionals from across the country come together to watch live demonstrations, ask questions, exchange ideas, meet new people, and continue the conversation in smaller breakout rooms. No registration. No membership. No cost. 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://thestoragemarketplace.com/podcast Want to be part of Storage Meetup #100 and beyond? Join us live at: https://thestoragemarketplace.com/ Connect. Learn. Grow. 99 meetups down. And we're just getting started. See you Friday!

October 16, 202616 min

Vendor Spotlight: On The Move | Custom Branded Truck Rentals for Self Storage

What if your self-storage facility's moving truck could do more than help tenants move? What if it could also become a rolling billboard for your business? In this Storage Marketplace Vendor Spotlight , we're taking a closer look at On The Move , a company specializing in custom-branded truck rentals, leasing, and commercial vehicle solutions for the self-storage industry. Founded in 1992, On The Move helps self-storage operators provide convenient moving trucks for their customers while turning those vehicles into powerful mobile marketing opportunities. In this episode, we explore: How custom-branded moving trucks benefit self-storage facilities Truck rental and leasing programs for storage operators Turning moving trucks into mobile advertising How branded trucks can increase facility visibility Improving the tenant experience during move-ins and move-outs Vehicle customization and commercial upfitting Rental truck insurance and tenant protection programs How truck programs can support marketing, customer satisfaction, and facility growth Vendor Spotlights from The Storage Marketplace are designed to help self-storage owners and operators understand the companies, technology, and services available to them, what they do, how they work, and the problems they solve. Want to learn more about On The Move? Visit TheStorageMarketplace.com to explore On The Move's virtual booth and discover more solutions for your self-storage business. 🎙️ The Storage Marketplace Podcast Real operators. Real tools. Real results.

October 13, 202610 min

The Self Storage Conversations You Don't Hear Anywhere Else | AI Overview #98

This is an AI-generated episode of The Storage Marketplace Podcast , created from Storage Meetup #98 , recorded live on October 2, 2026 . Every Friday, self storage owners, operators, managers, vendors, and industry professionals get together live to talk shop. There's a Weekly Show & Tell , attendee questions, industry discussion, smaller breakout rooms, and plenty of conversations that weren't planned ahead of time. And that's kind of the point. Storage Meetup is a place where someone can bring up a problem they're dealing with, another person can share how they solved it, a vendor can demonstrate a new solution, and an entirely different conversation can emerge from there. This AI-generated episode pulls together some of the most interesting ideas and takeaways from this week's room, including: • Operational challenges and solutions being discussed by storage professionals • New technology, AI, automation, and tools entering the industry • Marketing and customer acquisition ideas worth testing • Our Weekly Show & Tell, featuring solutions and ideas in action • Lessons being shared between owners, operators, managers, and vendors • Trends and opportunities that could impact the future of self storage The big takeaway? 👉 You never really know what you're going to learn when you put a room full of self storage people together and let them talk. That's what makes Storage Meetup different. This AI-generated podcast gives you the highlights. But the best way to experience Storage Meetup is still to be there. Come watch the Show & Tell. Turn your camera on. Ask a question. Share what you're working on. Meet someone new. Then stick around for the breakout rooms, where some of the best conversations happen. Storage Meetup happens live every Friday. No registration. No membership. No cost. 🎧 Listen to The Storage Marketplace Podcast: thestoragemarketplace.com/podcast Want to join us live next Friday? The Storage Marketplace Connect. Learn. Grow. Listen to what happened last Friday. Then come be part of what happens next.

October 9, 202621 min

Vendor Spotlight: Late2Lien | Automating Self-Storage Lien Sale Compliance

Lien sales are one of those parts of self-storage operations you absolutely cannot afford to get wrong. In this Storage Marketplace Vendor Spotlight , we're taking a closer look at Late2Lien , an automated software platform designed specifically to help self-storage operators manage the tenant lien sale process. Late2Lien helps simplify a complicated, state-specific process by automating notices, tracking changing lien laws, handling required advertising, and integrating with existing facility management software. In this episode, we explore: • How Late2Lien automates the lien sale process • State-specific lien notices and compliance requirements • Keeping up with changing lien laws • Required lien sale advertising • Reducing administrative time and manual work • Helping minimize operational and compliance risk • Integrations with existing self-storage management software • How the platform can help accelerate delinquent payments • Using Late2Lien across facilities in all 50 states Vendor Spotlights from The Storage Marketplace are designed to help self-storage owners and operators understand the companies, technology, and services available to them, what they do, how they work, and the problems they solve. Want to learn more about Late2Lien? Visit TheStorageMarketplace.com to explore Late2Lien's virtual booth and discover more solutions for your self-storage business. 🎙️ The Storage Marketplace Podcast Real operators. Real tools. Real results.