Advertise on podcast: Creating Wealth Through Self Storage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We all know how AI is changing the self-storage landscape. Others smarter than me have talked about using chatbots for storage answering services, AI in revenue management and tenant data analysis (determining which tenants can pay what rate based on behavior), and many of the tools savvy operators in the industry use today. Let me give you a real-life example of how I am using it today as I move through the diligence process of some deals right now. 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

After over forty years in real estate and the self-storage business, I have learned a few things about business that I am sharing as I hover around this 500-episode mark. I guess we could call these episodes “What I’ve Learned About Wealth, Business, and Life.” This also coincides with my newly released book, The Creative Method of Wealth Generation. Let me share with you five things I have learned about business over the years. When I started, I knew very little about money, wealth, and running businesses. I have learned what I know through research and grinding away. 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

As I hover around the 500-episode mark, I am apparently becoming more philosophical and want to share some insights I have gained over the last ten years or so in the storage business. I’ve talked about the five biggest mistakes I have made in my career and the five decisions I have made that helped me create my first millions in wealth. In this episode, let me share with you five things I have learned about creating wealth. Some may seem obvious, but these are all critical lessons I actually had to learn on my own. I didn’t know anyone who could teach them to me. I hope this helps you on your journey toward your goals 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

Here I am at Episode 500. On one level, it means nothing, really, but on another, it shows I can stick to something for a long time and/or you can hang in there with me no matter how bad or off I can be at times. I hope you have received some value from these episodes. Last week, I discussed some of my flaws and how they translated into some of the biggest mistakes I have made in my self-storage career. Today, I want to talk about some of the things I did right. I chose to do this in the context of the decisions I have made that generated the first million dollars of wealth from the storage industry. 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

As I approach Episode 500, I have been thinking a lot about the self-storage business and my thirty-one years in and around the industry. I was thinking about what I could share that would be helpful. I had two startling insights. The first was that what would be most helpful is not what I’ve done right, but more importantly, the biggest mistakes I have made. The second was, as I wrote them out, the realization that none of my biggest mistakes were really about the business itself or about making a bad storage decision, although I’ve made my share. They were personal development flaws in me that had an impact on my business. Let me share them with you, and hopefully you can learn from them. 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