Advertise on podcast: Self Storage Lab

A special one-off episode of Self Storage Lab, recorded live at the SSA Fall Conference on September 11, 2026. This isn't a typical interview. It's a panel titled "What's Real, What's Next?", a candid, unscripted look at how AI is actually being adopted and deployed across self storage, from three people building with it every day. Matt Engfer, co-founder and CEO of Cubby, moderates. He's joined by Mason Levy, co-founder and CEO of swivl, and Austin Rockman, who leads AI at White Label Storage. Between them: machine learning backgrounds, millions of customer conversations, and a lot of hard-won opinions on what works and what's just slop. The conversation moves through three arcs: where AI adoption really stands today, how these teams are applying it inside their own operations, and a closing "what's next" look at where self storage goes from here. What they get into: How to actually drive adoption inside an organization, and why it usually starts with one or two people who "get the joke"Training teams seat by seat, and installing shared skills so people start with a good experience instead of a rabbit holeThe deployment problem nobody warns you about: who gets access, to what data, and where the thing you built actually livesCommunication preferences as the highest-leverage setup step, and why the fundamentals of good work haven't changed even as the tools haveKeeping AI output honest: human review, QA, and avoiding the "it's the coolest thing ever" trap before it's actually goodReal applications in storage, from pricing and collections to review solicitation and field maintenance routingClean, structured, well-labeled data as the thing that still makes or breaks everythingMCPs and connectors explained in plain languageTalking to your models: dictation, cognitive load, and the new social norms of whispering to your computerIf you're just getting started with AI or already deep into building internal tools, this panel offers an unusually honest, in-the-weeds look at the state of play from three people who are living in it. A few ideas worth stealing The fastest way to spread AI adoption is to find the one or two people already using it well, then productize what they built for everyone else.Don't wait for perfect data to start. The definition of "economic occupancy" can get refined while you're already making progress.Spend real time up front on how you want your AI to communicate with you. It pays off across every session after.The fundamentals of being good at your job haven't changed. The tools have. Curiosity is still rule number one.Structured, well-annotated data is still the whole game. Bad data in, bad data out. Featured on this panel Mason Levy, co-founder & CEO, swivl. Matt Engfer, co-founder & CEO, Cubby. Austin Rockman, AI lead, White Label Storage.

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today's technology-driven landscape and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode brings two guests from StorageMax, Mississippi's largest self-storage operator, spanning 39 locations across three states with a lean 48-person team. Nick Newcomb stepped into the CEO role in late 2024 after joining the family business in 2013 and rising through COO. Shannon Wolfe runs training and development, joining in 2019 from the coffee world just before COVID reshaped the industry. Together they break down how a lean operator stays coherent at scale, even as AI handles more of the customer-facing work. In this episode, we explore: Why StorageMax runs with no district managers, and how a siloed, specialty-based structure replaced the traditional modelThe CEO transition, learning to delegate, and the "ISMADAT" spreadsheet (Improving StorageMax One Day At A Time)The acquisition playbook: broker and off-market deals, long-term-hold relationships, and a two-month runway to StorageMax standardsFirst impressions as strategy, from deep-cleaning every vacant unit to the back lip of the doorWhat breaks first when you grow: software integrations, not peopleAncillary revenue done right, and how an RV campground near an AWS data-center campus became the primary business at that siteBuilding an AI-literate team: safe-practices training, AI to enhance roles rather than replace themPersonal tech stacks, from Claude in Excel and vibe-coded dashboards to reMarkable tablets and SuperhumanWhy the manager who got poached by a competitor asked for a repaved driveway, not a raiseThe bait-and-switch rate problem and what it costs the industry's reputation If you've ever wondered how a lean team competes with the REITs, when specialization beats the jack-of-all-trades manager, or how to bring AI into an operation without losing the human touch, this episode delivers a candid, operator-level look from two people building it in real time. In This Episode We Discussed (00:00:00) Two guests, one lean operator: intros and backgrounds(00:03:02) Monday mornings and how a small corporate team divides the work(00:05:32) The CEO transition and learning to delegate(00:08:35) Building the siloed structure and why no district managers(00:10:12) What breaks first when you scale(00:12:00) The acquisition playbook and turning a facility into StorageMax(00:18:04) Ancillary revenue, RV campgrounds, and the data-center effect(00:22:37) Investing in people and the repaved-driveway story(00:27:19) Personal AI tech stacks and how the team actually uses AI(00:39:09) Training an AI-literate team without losing the human touch(00:48:35) Biggest surprises and the bait-and-switch rate problem(00:51:50) Rapid fire: Monday opens, curb appeal, lunch spots, sports, and unmanned myths Key Themes & Takeaways Specialize Instead of Cloning ManagersOne manager wearing every hat never masters sales. StorageMax replaced district managers with specialists in training, quality control, and personnel, borrowing the logic operators usually reserve for call centers. AI Enhances Roles, It Doesn't Replace ThemThe message to the team is explicit: lean into new tools, but they exist to take work off your plate, not to take your job. Do Right by Your PeopleThe best team members care about their customers. Sometimes retention isn't about money; it's about paving the road they've been apologizing for. Favorite Nuggets "Unmanned properties do not exist.""Improving StorageMax one day at a time.""You can't get a first impression back the second try.""If you're single-sentence prompting, you're doing it wrong."🔗 More from StorageMaxLearn more at the StorageMax website. Connect with Nick Connect with Shannon

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today's technology-driven landscape and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode's guest is Joel Patterson, SVP of Operations at Personal Mini Storage and past president of the Florida Self Storage Association. Joel got his start in moving and storage at U-Haul in 2001, then joined Personal Mini in 2004 as a live-in resident manager while finishing college. 22 years and one company later, he oversees operations across 20-plus locations in Florida. He isn't chasing the fully remote model, and he isn't automating the personal out of his business. In this episode, we explore: Joel's path from running a U-Haul center to becoming a U-Haul dealer, and lessons about the one-stop-shop mindsetLiving on site with his brother in the early years, and what stuckWhat Joel watches every Monday morning, and why reviews and referrals are his North Star over vanity metricsThe tech stack behind the operationTesting ancillary revenue: 18 truck-parking bookings in under three weeks, plus motion-sensor and unit-monitoring experimentsHow Personal Mini evaluates new vendors and AI tools without chasing shiny toysRunning a pilot-site rollout the right way: get the team's buy-in, learn in real time, and let managers shape the futureWhy half the portfolio still has live-in managers, and the conviction behind that choiceThe human-in-the-loop philosophy, and whether the industry is overcorrecting toward automationFighting to modernize Florida's lien laws, the newspaper lobby, and the "rally in Tally"Living in both worlds: operating as an NSA regional partner and as an independentWhat Joel keys in on when he walks a property, from the gate to the keypad to the front doorRapid fire: Percy the kangaroo, giving up coffee for tea, a 24-book reading goal, national parks, and a first concert with a fake IDIf you've ever wondered how a people-first operator competes with the REITs, when live-in management still makes sense, or how to roll out new technology without losing your team, this episode delivers a candid, operator-level perspective from someone who has done it for 22 years. In This Episode We Discussed (00:00:00) 22 years, one company: Joel's story and the Costco lesson(00:01:32) From U-Haul to Personal Mini, and learning the ropes as a live-in manager(00:06:34) The one-stop-shop mindset and making every customer encounter count(00:09:22) Joel's North Star: reviews, referrals, and what customers say when you're not in the room(00:11:12) What a Monday morning looks like: SSM, QuickBase, and a homegrown tech stack(00:14:14) Ancillary revenue, truck parking club, and 18 bookings in three weeks(00:17:53) How Personal Mini filters the vendor fire hose and avoids shiny-toy syndrome(00:22:56) Rolling out new technology the right way: pilot sites, buy-in, and learning in real time(00:26:02) Why half the portfolio still has live-in managers(00:29:21) Are we overcorrecting on automation? Where the human fits in(00:33:36) Florida lien-law advocacy, the newspaper lobby, and the rally in Tally(00:39:59) Living in both camps: NSA regional partner and independent operator(00:42:32) Walking a property: the gate, the keypad, and the front door(00:45:01) Rapid fire: Percy the kangaroo, tea over coffee, books, national parks, concerts(00:52:08) Where to find Joel and a closing word on state associations Favorite Nuggets "We're not looking to take the personal out of Personal Mini Storage.""We're really renting time, not just space.""Hey, we don't know what we're doing. We're learning it with you in real time.""If you're only consuming industry content, then you're only gonna have industry content.""You can't get a first impression back the second try.""The people that get stuff done are the people that go up and do that sort of thing."🔗 More from Joel & Personal Mini Storagepersonalministorage.com

This episode's guest is Travis Morrow, Chairman and CEO of Store Local and President of National Self Storage. Few people have seen the industry from as many angles as Travis: operator, co-op founder, publisher, event host, and one of the most connected voices in self storage. He runs a 29-store portfolio, learned the business from the ground up doing feasibility studies as an intern, and has been working remote since 2009, long before anyone had a pandemic to blame. Through it all, he still calls himself an operator first, and every hat he wears traces back to one question: are my stores renting units? ‍ In this episode, we explore: Travis's path from a half-semester internship to a portfolio he owns, develops, and managesThe mentorship of Bob Schaff and learning to look out for the whole industry, not just your own facilitiesWhy the Young Leaders Group exists and what he tells the 25-year-old just entering storageThe cooperative origins of Store Local and the bet that scale can be sharedWhether consolidation has gone too far, and why storage trails hospitality by about 15 yearsHow Store Local Storage gives independents a brand to fly without becoming a franchiseThe advantage independents still hold: speed and nimblenessWhy operators have a reputation for being cheap, and what's finally breaking the habit"Cheap leads" and the endless hunt for true lead attribution and return on ad spendAI as a multiplier, not a magic wand, and how Travis evaluates which tools actually rent unitsBringing back MSM, the rebrand to Modern Storage Media, and launching a new fall show in AtlantaRapid fire: Red Bull to Celsius, morning person, Tucson vs. Atlanta, and a favorite Braves moment‍ In This Episode We Discussed: ‍ (00:00:00) Intro: a long time coming, and Swivl ahead of the curve (00:02:50) Travis's many hats, and why he's still an operator first (00:05:54) The Young Leaders Group and mentorship under Bob Schaff (00:12:13) Store Local's co-op origins and the long tail of the industry (00:15:54) Has consolidation gone too far? The hospitality parallel (00:18:06) The independent operator's real advantage: speed (00:19:40) Inside the co-op: ownership, choice, and Store Local Storage (00:23:09) Why operators are slow to invest, and what breaks the habit (00:27:44) Travis's framework for prioritizing where to spend time and energy (00:28:33) "Cheap leads" and the endless hunt for true lead attribution (00:34:25) Evaluating AI tools as an operator and at a tech company (00:38:27) AI as a multiplier, not a magic wand, and an LLM-as-golf-clubs analogy (00:43:12) Bringing back MSM and the rebrand to Modern Storage Media (00:47:00) Why Atlanta, and building a modern conference experience (00:53:08) Rapid fire: Red Bull, Celsius, mornings, Tucson vs. Atlanta, Braves (00:59:19) One thing Travis wishes the REITs would stop doing (01:00:34) Where to find Travis and the MSM show ‍ Favorite Nuggets "I am still a self storage operator first, regardless of any of the other hats that I wear.""Now go rent some units.""One of the worst things you can tell an entrepreneur is no.""Technology is a multiplier. It is not a magic wand.""AI today is as bad as it's ever going to be. And as bad as it is today, it's still pretty cool."🔗 More from Travis & MSM Learn about the show and view the schedule at msmtheshow.com. Listeners can use affiliate code SWIVL26 at registration to save $100. ‍

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape—and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode’s guest is Brett Copper, President and Partner at Copper Storage Management. Brett grew up in the self storage industry but chose not to simply inherit the traditional playbook. Instead, he challenged it. What started as frustration with hiring inefficiencies evolved into one of the industry’s most recognizable remote-first management models. Today, Copper manages hundreds of facilities nationwide with a system built around operational efficiency, centralized teams, and disciplined technology adoption. In this episode, we explore: Brett’s journey from resisting the family business to redefining it The real economics behind remote-first storage management Why efficiency and NOI are the future battlegrounds for operators Misconceptions about unmanned facilities—and what actually works How to transition stores from traditional to remote without losing tenants Pricing pressures in a post-COVID world AI-driven search and the future of storage marketing What small operators can do to compete with REITs The long-term outlook for consolidation in self storage If you’ve ever wondered whether remote management is hype or inevitability, or how to operate profitably in today’s interest rate and pricing environment, this episode delivers a candid, operator-level breakdown. This Episode We Discussed (00:00:00) Nashville ice storms, puzzles, and married life(00:03:15) When storage became Brett’s business, not just his family’s(00:08:17) The origin story behind remote-first management(00:11:41) The operational checklist that increases facility value(00:15:16) Misconceptions about unmanned facilities(00:19:26) Preserving human touch in automated environments(00:22:19) What’s at stake if operators don’t evolve(00:27:16) Today’s biggest operator pressures: pricing and occupancy(00:29:28) AI, search, and marketing in a shifting discovery landscape(00:35:29) Helping other operators adopt remote models(00:37:23) Will storage consolidate like other asset classes?(00:44:29) How small operators can differentiate(00:48:46) What owners misunderstand about third-party management(00:52:20) Rapid fire: tools, brands, gaming, and Nashville hot chicken Efficiency WinsIn an environment of compressed margins and higher interest rates, operators who control expenses and maximize NOI will outlast those clinging to legacy staffing models. Remote Doesn’t Mean Less HumanCopper’s model emphasizes customer choice—phone, chat, text, or self-serve—delivering flexibility rather than eliminating service. Pricing Is the Industry’s Hardest ProblemPost-COVID distortions continue to impact occupancy and revenue strategies, forcing operators to rethink aggressive rate increase models. The Attention Layer Is ChangingAI-driven search and generative discovery are reshaping how renters find facilities, creating new urgency around digital presence. Favorite Nuggets “Operational problems are the easiest problems to fix.” “If occupancy is the same but expenses are lower, the math speaks for itself.” “Remote only works if customer service gets better, not worse.” “Eventually, storage will be thought of as self-service by default.” 🔗 More from Copper Storage Managementhttps://www.copperstoragemanagement.com

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape—and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode features Amanda DiGaspari and Austin Simmons, CEO and COO of Storagely, a company rethinking what a self storage website should actually do. What started as a digital marketing agency turned into a SaaS platform after one pivotal moment: fixing a broken checkout flow and tripling online rentals. That shift pulled Amanda and Austin out of agency work and into building a conversion-first, revenue-driven website platform purpose-built for how renters behave today—and where AI-driven discovery is headed next. In this conversation, Mason and Rodolfo dig into Storagely’s evolution from services to product, the hard lessons learned along the way, and why websites should be treated as full-time digital managers, not static brochures. The episode spans branding, data, UX, AI, and leadership, with plenty of practical insight for operators navigating changing renter expectations. If you’re thinking about online rentals, checkout optimization, AI search, or how to build product with discipline in a noisy market, this episode is a must-listen. In This Episode, We Discussed: (00:00:00) Introductions, banter, and how Storagely found self storage(00:00:40) From marketing agency to storage tech(00:03:10) The leap from services to SaaS(00:05:38) Early mistakes, false starts, and lessons learned(00:07:50) Why vision and mission became guardrails(00:10:39) Rebranding and what it signaled internally and externally(00:12:59) Current challenges and future direction(00:21:45) Building renter personas to improve UX(00:23:25) What truly differentiates storage websites(00:26:06) Using data, not opinions, to guide product decisions(00:29:28) How renter expectations and online behavior are changing(00:34:39) Balancing operator feedback with behavioral data(00:37:59) Storagely’s framework for product development and iteration(00:45:36) Architecture-first thinking and faster innovation(00:51:54) AI, generative search, and the future of discovery(00:57:26) Morning routines, chaos, and staying grounded(01:03:06) Finding inspiration outside self storage(01:10:55) Alternate universes and creative paths not taken Key Themes Websites Are Revenue EnginesStoragely treats the website as a 24/7 manager, not a brochure. Every design and feature decision ladders back to conversion and lifetime value. Data Over GuessworkFrom checkout flows to feature prioritization, decisions are driven by renter behavior, not assumptions or “in case” thinking. Focus WinsLearning to say no—to features, distractions, and edge cases—has been critical to building a product that scales without losing clarity. AI Is an Extension, Not a ShortcutSEO and generative search are converging, but the foundation remains the same: structured, local, trustworthy content built to serve real users. Favorite Nuggets “Designing a website in case someone rents online vs because they will.” Why a 30-second checkout changed everything Treating your website like a digital team member The power of showing the work with real data Why being embarrassed by what you shipped six months ago is a good sign 🔗 Learn more about Storagelyhttps://storagely.io 🔗 Connect with the guestsAmanda DiGaspariAustin Simmons

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape—and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode’s guest is Anastasia Malagisi, Vice President of Marketing at Safeguard Self Storage. With roots in the industry going back decades, Anastasia brings a rare blend of institutional knowledge, operator empathy, and modern marketing rigor. From competing head-to-head with REITs to building trust-driven brands in dense urban markets, she offers a thoughtful, grounded perspective on what actually works in storage marketing today. In this episode, we explore: The marketing “hill” Anastasia would die on—and why everything starts with the customer. How Safeguard balances data, intuition, and storytelling to drive real results. The evolution of value-based pricing and CRO testing in self storage. What smaller and mid-sized operators can do that big REITs can’t. Why transparency, trust, and human connection still matter more than budgets. How AI fits into marketing and operations without becoming a distraction. Leadership lessons from mentors, family, and years in the field. If you’ve ever wrestled with competing against larger operators, making sense of endless marketing tools, or aligning brand with real customer experience, this episode is packed with both strategic insight and practical wisdom. Frameworks & Philosophies Customer-first marketing Transparency and trust as brand foundations Value-based pricing CRO and continuous testing Competition as a catalyst for improvement Tools & Practices CRO and A/B testing programs Digital marketing agencies and partners Dashboard-driven decision making AI as an operational and marketing assist Favorite Nuggets “Marketing starts with knowing who you’re serving.” “You won’t win every sale, but you should always be honest.” “Data doesn’t replace intuition—it sharpens it.” “Small operators can win by doing what big ones can’t.” 🔗 More from Anastasia & Safeguard https://www.safeguardit.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasiamalagisi/

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode features a special roundtable conversation with the leadership team at Access Self Storage, a Northeast-based operator approaching its 50th anniversary. Joining us are Andrew Rockoff (Marketing), Brian Russ (Third-Party Management), and Chris Feild (Operations), three long-tenured leaders who have helped shape Access’s reputation for hyper-local execution, people-first culture, and thoughtful adoption of technology. In this episode, we explore how a regional operator competes and wins in REIT-heavy markets by leaning into relationships, local expertise, and disciplined systems thinking. The conversation spans marketing, operations, culture, and technology, with plenty of humor and hard-earned insight along the way. If you’re a midsize operator wondering how to scale without losing your soul, this episode offers a candid look inside a business that’s been doing exactly that for decades. In This Episode How Access Self Storage balances technology adoption with boots-on-the-ground service Why employee experience and retention improve when tech removes friction The case for hyper-local marketing in dense, competitive markets What most operators misunderstand about automation and unmanned facilities How third-party management can be a scalable growth lever Why integration and simplicity matter more than shiny new tools How Access evaluates ROI before rolling out new systems The internal dynamics between marketing, ops, and leadership Lessons from nearly 50 years of operating through industry shifts Pizza takes, radio DJ throwbacks, and some very honest hot takes Key Themes People First, AlwaysAccess emphasizes ownership at the store level, long-term employee development, and trust as the foundation of the business. Managers are treated like operators, not order-takers. Hyper-Local WinsFrom knowing the best pizza place in town to tailoring ads by neighborhood, Access believes storage is a three-to-five mile business where local relevance beats national branding. Technology as an Enabler, Not a ReplacementAutomation and AI are embraced when they remove repetitive work and improve the customer experience, but never at the expense of human connection. Culture Is Built on PurposeWith clearly defined fundamentals, open dialogue, and long-term careers, Access shows how intentional culture building creates durability and alignment. “Self storage isn’t one size fits all.” “Technology and people aren’t in conflict if you use tech to eliminate pain points.” “Hyper-local beats national every time in our markets.” “Unmanned facilities are overhyped.” 🔗 Learn more about Access Self Storagehttps://www.accessselfstorage.com 🔗 Connect with the guests on LinkedInAndrew RockoffBrian RussChris Feild

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode’s guest is Susan Hovey, Director of Marketing at Strat Property Management, whose career path spans tech, wine, and now self storage. Susan is known for blending creativity with data, grounding modern marketing tactics in timeless fundamentals, and building brands that feel human in an industry often reduced to square footage. From fax blasts to AI-driven search, she’s seen every evolution, and brings a rare combination of storytelling, operational alignment, and pragmatic strategy to the table. In this episode, we explore:• How a background in theater, tech, and wine shaped Susan’s marketing philosophy• Why marketing should be viewed as operational infrastructure, not a discretionary expense• How AI search and zero-click experiences are reshaping visibility for operators• The do’s and don’ts she wishes every owner understood—from Google habits to FAQs• Why attribution is still the holy grail (and why most people chase it wrong)• How brand authority and authenticity now matter more than ranking alone• The future of storage marketing and the growing role of retention and community If you’ve ever wondered how to elevate your brand, navigate a shifting search landscape, or align marketing with operations across dozens of properties, this episode offers a masterclass from one of the most thoughtful voices in the industry. In this Episode (00:00:00) Why marketing isn’t optional anymore(00:01:03) From theater storytelling to fax blasts to AI(00:04:23) Catching the “self storage bug”(00:07:26) What wine, tech, and storage have in common(00:09:52) Serving customers across personas, preferences, and channels(00:11:28) Google's chaos, AI overviews, and the new search reality(00:14:55) The messy truth about attribution(00:17:19) How AI is already impacting storage rentals(00:21:39) Brand authority as the new SEO(00:26:11) The first things to fix when taking over a facility(00:30:00) Storytelling as the foundation of every great brand(00:33:30) What operators get wrong about their audience(00:37:17) Winning internal debates and making the case for marketing(00:42:08) Marketing don’ts: Google searches, Q&A neglect, and chasing rankings(00:48:00) The future of storage marketing: retention and brand-led strategies(00:50:41) Rapid fire: rituals, routines, tools, and staying grounded Frameworks & Philosophies• Storytelling as strategic foundation• Brand authority over pure keyword strategy• Meeting customers exactly where they are• The importance of community and belonging Tools & Practices• Google Business Profile essentials• Schema markup and FAQs for AI-driven search• Brand reputation platforms• Personal rituals for clarity and grounded leadership Favorite Nuggets• “Marketing is not the only cost with a price tag. We just see it more clearly.”• “Don’t Google yourself every morning.”• “Self storage isn’t about belongings. It’s about helping people feel like they belong.”• “Attribution is the holy grail and no one has it fully figured out.” 🔗 Connect with Susan:LinkedIn: Susan Hovey Strat Property Management

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape—and what it means for the future of the industry. ‍ This episode’s guest is Noah Starr, founder and CEO of Tract IQ—a data intelligence platform giving operators, brokers, and investors visibility into over 70,000 self storage properties nationwide. Before launching Tract IQ, Noah built a portfolio of 12 self storage facilities and underwrote billions in real estate transactions. That operator-first perspective now powers one of the most talked-about data platforms in self storage. ‍ In this episode, we explore: Noah’s leap from Wall Street to storage entrepreneur (and why it all happened in the same week he got engaged and bought a house).The data gap that led to Tract IQ—and why smaller operators were flying blind for too long.How independent operators can use data transparency to compete with REITs.The balance between scaling fast and staying focused on quality.What “AI hype” gets wrong about real innovation in real estate tech.Why empathy, trust, and relationships will always be the real moat—even in a data-rich future.If you’ve ever wondered how better data could transform the way you evaluate deals, forecast performance, and build trust with investors, this episode is a must-listen. (00:02:32) From corporate burnout to closing on his first storage deal.(00:05:22) Building a 12-facility portfolio—and discovering the data problem firsthand.(00:06:05) The story behind acquiring Tract IQ and shifting from investor to tech founder.(00:08:20) What scaling fast actually looks like (and what not to do).(00:10:00) Why real estate data has been broken—and how Tract IQ is fixing it.(00:14:00) How smaller operators can differentiate from REITs through transparency and partnership.(00:16:35) Real customer stories: how Tract IQ helps users find—or avoid—their next deal.(00:18:50) The cost of a bad deal (and why saying “no” can be your best ROI).(00:20:00) What headlines get wrong about street rates, rents, and market health.(00:24:00) Why there’s no single “health metric” for self storage—and what to track instead.(00:25:47) The cost of data is dropping—and why that’s good for operators.(00:27:00) AI, data quality, and why Noah refuses to chase the hype.(00:39:02) How Tract IQ builds culture around transparency and empowerment.(00:43:00) What will truly differentiate operators once everyone has access to the same data.(00:45:00) Leadership lessons, favorite books, and the routines that keep Noah grounded. ‍ Frameworks & Philosophies Data transparency as a competitive advantage“There’s nothing more expensive than a bad deal.”Relationships as the ultimate moat in a data-rich worldTechnology should simplify—not distract—from operator focusTools & Practices Tract IQ’s custom prospecting enginesMentorship and conservative underwriting frameworksJournaling and “offline weekends” for clarityFavorite Nuggets “Real estate data today is mostly peripheral metrics—we’re fixing that.”“The AI is only as good as the data.”“You can’t automate empathy, trust, or partnership.”“It’s a fun time to be a builder—but the unsexy problems still matter most.”‍ 🔗 More from Noah & Tract IQ: ‍tractiq.com ‍LinkedIn: Noah Starr

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology driven landscape and what it means for the future of the industry. ‍ This episode’s guest is Jessie Lamb, VP of Self Storage at and one of the sharpest minds working at the intersection of people, operations, and technology. Jessie’s path into the industry is anything but traditional. From early HR work and sticky-floor movie theater gigs to seven years leading tech and operations at Strat Property Management, Jessie has built a career around solving real problems for real teams. ‍ Today, she brings that experience to the vendor side, helping nodaFi shape software that actually works in the physical world operators live in every day. ‍ In this episode, we explore: • Jessie’s winding and accidental path into self storage • Why tech adoption fails and how operators can get it right • The role of intuition, data, and joy in decision making • Change management, culture design, and helping teams navigate the “messy middle” • What moving from operator to vendor has taught her about speed, innovation, and collaboration • The future of physical operations technology and what nodaFi is building next If you’ve ever tried to implement new tools, lead through change, or build systems your team will actually use, this conversation is going to hit home. ‍ (00:00:22) Why we need more tugboats and fewer cruise ships in tech adoption (00:00:52) Jessie’s transition from HR to operations and where her people-first approach began (00:03:18) Moving from rural Texas to San Francisco and finding energy in the tech world (00:05:00) Why tech should augment people rather than replace them (00:06:30) How consumer behavior created new expectations around access, hours, and responsiveness (00:07:00) Jessie’s Craigslist origin story and the unlikely path into storage (00:12:00) Seeing problems early and learning to speak up with clarity and confidence (00:14:49) Growing up in many environments and how that shaped her balanced decision making (00:17:13) Why intuition only works when you understand the inputs behind it (00:20:00) How she thinks about KPIs, joy, and defining what “good work” feels like (00:23:20) Change management, transparency, and the importance of naming the hard thing directly (00:28:00) Taking the leap from Strat to consulting to nodaFi (00:32:09) What surprised her most about joining the tech vendor side (00:34:18) The pace of innovation and why fast feedback loops matter (00:37:04) Working with customers who love to “break things” and why they drive the best product decisions (00:39:56) Operators as cruise ships, vendors as speedboats, and the need to move together (00:43:45) The importance of slow moments, celebration, and reducing change fatigue (00:48:22) What nodaFi is building and why physical operations software is the next frontier (00:51:16) How real operators walk properties and why that matters for great design (00:52:00) Rapid fire: butcher paper walls, black coffee, and motorcycle adventures (00:58:47) Where to find Jessie online and connect at industry events ‍ ‍ Frameworks & Philosophies • Joy as a productivity multiplier • Transparent change management • Blending intuition with observable signals • The physics of entropy and why systems drift without intentionality • Kinesthetic problem solving ‍ Tools & Workflows • Butcher-paper ideation • QR-based asset tracking • Property walkthrough workflows • Vendor-operator co-design processes ‍ Favorite Nuggets • “Show people the variables so they understand the decision.” • Why the best ideas often come from the most critical users • Adventure as a career compass • Storage culture, tugboats, and the power of celebration ‍ LinkedIn: Connect with Jessie Lamb ‍ nodaFi: https://www.nodafi.com/

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape—and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode’s guest is Tommy Nguyen, co-founder and COO of StoragePug—a company that started with one family-owned facility and evolved into one of the most beloved tech brands in self storage. From his early days as a pre-med student to becoming a bootstrapped founder serving over 2,000 facilities nationwide, Tommy’s story is one of grit, humility, and relentless optimism. In this episode, we explore: The journey from agency life to SaaS and how StoragePug found its niche.Lessons from bootstrapping—why taking the long road built a stronger culture.Balancing product discipline with customer-driven innovation.Competing (and thriving) in a crowded proptech ecosystem.How fatherhood reshaped Tommy’s leadership, time, and definition of success. If you’ve ever wondered how to scale a business without losing your soul—or how to stay customer-obsessed while saying “no” to the wrong ideas—this conversation is a masterclass in building with heart. (00:02:11) From Vietnam to Knoxville—Tommy’s immigrant story and the inflection points that shaped his path.(00:09:01) Helping small operators compete head-to-head with REITs.(00:13:16) Are we a product company or a service company? Defining the StoragePug identity.(00:20:38) Bootstrapping in a world of venture-backed startups—and why it worked.(00:28:34) What Tommy believed as a first-time founder (and doesn’t anymore).(00:36:23) The three-part framework for deciding which features to build.(00:41:06) When to kill a product—and why sunk costs don’t matter.(00:47:21) Staying focused in a crowded landscape of new tech.(00:54:56) Why small operators can’t afford to look “small” online anymore.(00:57:47) AI as augmentation, not replacement—and what’s next for StoragePug.(01:07:24) How becoming a dad changed Tommy’s priorities and leadership style. Frameworks & Philosophies Bootstrapping over venture fundingValue–difficulty–longevity product frameworkFounder restraint and long-term thinkingCustomer empathy as a superpowerTools & Rituals Productboard for prioritizationSlack as a company nerve centerGmail star system for sanityTime blocking and “out the door by 5:10” ruleFavorite Nuggets “Not every team member will row as hard—and that’s okay.”“If everyone in the industry copies each other, the typo repeats.”“Our software is used by our clients’ customers, not our clients.”“Turns out StoragePug didn’t need my 100% obsession to thrive.” 🔗 More from Tommy & StoragePug:storagepug.com Follow Tommy on LinkedIn

Summary In this conversation, Faraz Hemani shares his journey from a successful career in big tech to becoming a self-storage entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges and motivations behind his leap into entrepreneurship, the importance of understanding risk, and how his upbringing shaped his views on money and investment. Faraz elaborates on his early ventures in real estate, the transition to self-storage, and the operational control that comes with it. He emphasizes the significance of data-driven decision-making, remote management strategies, and ensuring quality in operations. The discussion also touches on pacing growth, building a customer-centric culture, and the importance of personal well-being and inspiration in entrepreneurship. Chapters (00:00) The Leap from Tech to Self Storage (02:53) Understanding Upbringing and Risk (05:49) Early Ventures in Real Estate (08:55) Transitioning to Self Storage (11:57) Operational Control in Self Storage (15:00) Navigating a Competitive Market (17:38) Data-Driven Decision Making (20:56) Remote Management Strategies (23:31) Ensuring Quality Control (26:30) Pacing Growth and Optimization (30:33) Identifying Cracks in Growth Strategies (32:45) Tech and Systems for New Operators (35:37) Operational Focus and Team Dynamics (37:40) Customer Experience and Team Training (45:05) Balancing Work and Personal Life (48:22) Sources of Inspiration and Learning (51:06) Rapid Fire Questions and Insights Sound bites "I don't need Google anymore.""Data is going to be a huge edge.""YouTube is a university." Keywords self storage, entrepreneurship, risk management, real estate, operational control, data analysis, remote management, customer experience, growth strategies, personal development

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape—and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode’s guest is Jackson Stevens, co-founder and CEO of SpareBox Technologies. From classical musician to building one of the most operator-informed tech stacks in self-storage, Jackson’s path is as unconventional as it is compelling. Before SpareBox, Jackson played a pivotal role in building Red Dot’s internal FMS platform, scaling SpareBox Storage to over 7 million square feet, and launching tech that bridges the gap between traditional management and remote-first ops. In this episode, we explore: Why self-storage tech looks simple, but isn’t.Jackson’s first principles approach to problem-solving in operations.The critical role of field experience in designing better tools.Lessons from music, CrossFit, Toyota, and call centers that shaped SpareBox’s roadmap.If you’ve ever tried to build tech that actually works in the real world—or wondered what the future of remote operations looks like—this episode’s for you. Also in our queue: Episode 25: The Modern FMS with Cubby CEO Matt Engfer In this episode we discussed: (00:00:20) From Baroque music to bold tech—Jackson’s winding path to storage. (00:02:31) Pattern recognition, CrossFit, and life as a percussionist. (00:06:50) Why most music school grads now work in tech. (00:09:00) Creativity, culture, and leadership rituals inside a lean startup. (00:14:30) Swivl x SpareBox: behind-the-scenes GTM playbook swaps. (00:19:00) Building Redline—Red Dot’s internal FMS—and the hard lessons learned. (00:24:45) Spending time with users: the lost art of field empathy. (00:26:50) The surprising edge cases that complicate "simple" storage software. (00:33:45) Auctions, automation, and designing for scale from day one. (00:36:30) When solving your own pain points becomes a product strategy. (00:39:15) Crossing the chasm: how SpareBox navigates adoption in a slow-moving industry. (00:43:00) Consumer expectations vs. operator workflows—where we’re still catching up. (00:46:11) TikTok tours and 5x5s: The REITs get social. (00:49:45) Why most storage customers are first-timers—and what that changes. (00:52:15) Elon Musk, agile retrospectives, and the pursuit of elegant ops. (00:54:57) The case for remote-first ops—and what’s holding the market back. (01:00:12) Why self-storage might lead the charge in virtual CRE playbooks. (01:08:00) What Jackson would reinvent next—and the tech trend he thinks is overhyped. Mentioned in This Episode: Frameworks & Philosophies Agile & Scrum (Certified Product Owner)Toyota Production SystemFirst Principles ThinkingElon Musk’s operating rulesSix Sigma & Gemba WalksInternal Tools & Innovations Auction automation workflowsInternal customer service manualsRemote onboarding through site visitsCross-departmental culture ritualsFavorite Nuggets “Show your work” as a collaboration philosophyWhy your ops stack needs a melodica mindset—flexible, multi-purpose, and creativeTikTok, Da Vinci locks, and the underrated power of a clean spreadsheet 🔗 More from Jackson & Team: https://spareboxtech.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksonstevensco/ If you haven’t already, go download our guide to Abandoned Cart workflows “Win-Back Opportunities.” We cover how to capture revenue from potential customers who start checking out on your website, but don't quite finish the process.

Welcome back to Self Storage Lab, the podcast where we deconstruct how operators are adapting to today’s technology-driven landscape—and what it means for the future of the industry. This episode is a throwback to the early days—with just Mason, Rodolfo, and Kyle at the mics. Together, they unpack where we really are in the AI timeline, why some businesses are pulling back from their GenAI experiments, and how to distinguish between what’s hype and what’s actually working in the real world. Whether you’re an operator trying to make sense of “AI-powered” products or a team leader wondering how to onboard your staff into an AI-native future, this episode offers both clarity and a reality check. In this episode, we explore: Why 42% of firms have abandoned most of their GenAI pilots—and what’s still worth chasing.The difference between AI-powered, AI-native, and agentic platforms (and why it matters).Where AI workflows are actually helping self-storage operators today—from collections to customer onboarding.How Swivl’s AI architecture blends deterministic and non-deterministic models to do real work—at scale. If you’re tired of the hype and want the real roadmap for implementing AI in your business, this episode is for you. In this episode we discussed: (00:00:20) Blink-182 is old now? Let’s feel that existential crisis together. (00:01:30) The “trough of disillusionment”—why GenAI pilots are stalling in enterprise. (00:04:00) Transformers are 8 years old—so what’s really new about today’s AI? (00:07:30) Why OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google are spending billions on basic research. (00:09:30) AI isn’t magic—it’s a systems engineering problem. (00:10:45) Most “AI” is machine learning—and that’s a good thing. (00:12:30) AI-powered vs. AI-native vs. agentic: breaking down the marketing speak. (00:16:30) Why consumer expectations are driving product branding more than features. (00:18:00) Swivl’s 32-model system and what it means to be AI-native. (00:20:00) Multiverse of agents? What’s real, what’s branding. (00:23:00) Operator and Rabbit: why AI agents still fall short for real tasks. (00:25:00) Why Swivl’s AI helps operators—not just consumers. (00:28:00) OpenAI Connectors—live HubSpot integration and use cases. (00:30:30) Apple Notes x GPT: the small UX wins that make a big difference. (00:32:00) What is MCP (Model Context Protocol) and why does it matter? (00:34:00) Human team analogies for AI agents—building your own AI company org chart. (00:36:30) Your iPhone camera is the best real-world example of agentic AI. (00:39:00) Will users ever care how AI works? Nope. They’ll care if it folds laundry. (00:41:00) Deterministic vs. non-deterministic models: when to use which. (00:43:00) How Swivl uses both: empathy-driven recommendations + reliable pricing logic. (00:46:00) Why Apple and Amazon haven’t cracked full AI assistants yet. (00:49:00) Real talk: banks and airlines would have done this already if it worked. (00:52:00) What’s next from Swivl—collections agents, onboarding tools, and more. Mentioned in This Episode: Internal Tools & Innovations Swivl’s stacked lobe system: 32 integrated AI modelsAI-assisted voice agents for collectionsOnboarding agents for new customersHubSpot and data platform connectors via ChatGPT Industry Inspiration OpenAI connector architectureApple Notes x GPT integrationMCP: Model Context Protocol for agent-to-agent commsThe Economist & IBM reports on GenAI performance Favorite Nuggets AI native = born into a future where GPT is your first study partnerDeterministic models for billing, availability, and complianceNon-deterministic for empathy, tone, and creativityAgents aren’t replacing humans—they’re augmenting them with precision Miscellaneous Mentions Sally Sue (our favorite customer persona)Baseball analogies and Santa mode GPTThe joy of talking about octopuses with an LLM Want to learn more about what AI can do for your facility? Check us out at tryswivl.com or Schedule a demo!