
Advertise on podcast: Students of Storage
Rating
5from
This podcast has
20 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
CubbyExplicit
No
Date created
2025/05/13
Latest episode
2026/10/01
Average duration
39 min.
Release period
32 days
Description
Welcome to Students of Storage — the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the self-storage industry. This isn’t your typical business banter — it’s raw, real, and packed with insights from the movers and shakers who’ve built empires behind the roll-up doors. Join us as we sit down with CEOs, owners, and top third-party operators to dive deep into the wins, losses, and lessons that come with building lasting success in storage. From solving industry puzzles to revealing the strategies that move the needle, Students of Storage delivers inspiring stories, perspectives that challenge, and takeaways you can use immediately.
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From the Other Side of the Table: What Operators Need Beyond Software with Andrew Capranos from CUBBY
2026/10/01
Buying a piece of software is not going to fix your business. That is not something you usually hear from a software company, but it is the perspective Andrew Capranos brings to his new role as President, Self Storage at Cubby. He spent his career on the operator side of the table, looking at move-ins, occupancy, and NOI, and he knows results come from how you run the business, with the right technology supporting it.
Andrew started in self storage in 2014 as a district manager for Public Storage in Orlando. He worked across three regions and finished overseeing South Florida, one of the company's largest MSAs. He calls it his second MBA. In 2022 he joined 10 Federal and helped scale one of the pioneers of the automated model, doubling the portfolio to about 140 assets across 17 states and one of the largest fully automated portfolios in the country.
In his first week at Cubby, Andrew sits down with Matt Engfer, Co-Founder and CEO, to talk about proving remote management could work back when people laughed at the idea, why technology and AI will separate the operators who succeed from the ones who struggle, and why he kept his office door open to competitors who wanted to see how 10 Federal did it, mistakes included.
It is a short conversation with a clear takeaway for owners and operators: the best software helps, but the business behind it still decides the results.
Key Takeaways:
(0:00) Intro
(0:48) Andrew's first week at Cubby
(1:27) From Public Storage district manager to 10 Federal
(3:04) Proving remote management when people laughed
(4:32) Why technology and AI will separate storage operators
(5:25) Why the self storage community is so close knit
(6:19) The golden rule and an open door for competitors
(8:06) Why Andrew joined Cubby
(9:45) Turning technology into business outcomes
(11:01) Why software alone will not fix your business
(11:53) Closing thoughts
Resources Mentioned:
Andrew Capranos | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/acapranos/
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to Students of Storage. If this episode gave you something you can use, please leave us a five star review and subscribe so you do not miss the next one.
Fix the Foundation: Why You Cannot Scale on Broken Systems with Rob Kapp from KISS (Keep It Simple Storage)
2026/09/22
Self storage was profitable enough, for long enough, that nobody had to fix what was broken underneath. Rob Kapp argues that is exactly why the industry sits 20 to 30 years behind on technology, and why the margin compression operators feel today is finally forcing the issue. As he puts it, the profits masked the inefficiencies. Now that it is a six to ten percent margin game, they cannot.
Rob started in storage 26 years ago as an owner operator and built a top 100 portfolio in North Carolina, running remote operations for 25 years. Five years ago he founded Keep It Simple Storage to build the technology he could never find for his own business. He joins Michael Brevdeh of Cubby for a conversation about what actually has to change in a storage operation, and in what order.
The through line is that technology is not the first step. Rob and Michael both make the case that you fix the operating model, the processes, and the seats people sit in, and only then do you add tools and scale. Every operator says they want to double this year. You cannot do it on a cracked foundation.
Along the way Rob shares the experiment that doubled his conversion rate by moving the rental into the app, why a manager will quietly sabotage a rollout if nobody explains the why, and the conversation with his daughter on her first day in the family business that convinced him to start a technology company. He and Michael also take apart the objection they hear at every trade show, that older customers will not use technology, with evidence from a Florida campfire and a 91 year old neighbor with an Apple Watch.
This is a practical conversation for owners and operators who are tired of trading one problem for another.
Key Takeaways:
(0:00) Intro
(1:04) Meet Rob Kapp and Keep It Simple Storage
(2:31) Why Rob built KISS after 25 years of remote operations
(4:51) How storage fell 30 years behind, and why the margins changed that
(6:43) The app-first rental experiment that doubled conversion
(8:19) Two kinds of owners, and why the rental experience decides
(12:20) Adding new tools without losing the human touch
(14:27) Pump the brakes on AI: drive the outcome, then pick the tool
(16:17) Rewriting the storage manager job description
(18:13) What self storage can borrow from multifamily
(21:53) Getting managers bought in before a rollout
(23:53) Specialization, and why you cannot scale on a cracked foundation (26:46) The conversation with his daughter that started the company
(29:54) The myth that older customers will not use technology
(31:54) Closing thoughts
Resources Mentioned:
Keep It Simple Storage | Website https://keepitsimplestorage.com
Keep It Simple Storage | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/kissstorage
Rob Kapp | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-kapp-7a543210/
Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to Students of Storage. If this episode gave you something you can use, please leave us a five star review and subscribe so you do not miss the next one.
Learn It, Then Live It: How Community Gets You Your First Storage Deal with Chris Michaels of The Storage Rebellion
2026/08/03
Chris Michaels turned to self-storage in 2019 while broke and behind on bills, and closed his first wholesale deal about a week after he started. Today he leads The Storage Rebellion, the community he first joined as a beginner. In this episode he sits down with host Tully Hannan to talk about what it actually takes to buy your first facility in a market that is far more competitive than the one he started in.
The core message is simple. Studying the business is not the same as doing the business, and the people around you are what move you from one to the other. Chris makes the case that you learn the fundamentals, then put them into practice by taking real action, and you do it faster when you are surrounded by other investors walking the same path.
Chris is practical about how deals get found today. He walks through sourcing on Google Maps, TractIQ, listing sites, brokers, and even Facebook Marketplace, then explains why fewer, deeper relationships beat blasting hundreds of mailers. He also covers the conversations most new investors dread, the follow-up cadence that keeps you top of mind, and the deal-killers he looks for when he walks a property.
If you have been consuming storage content for months without making a move, this conversation is a clear nudge toward action, plus a reminder that the right room can carry you further than any amount of solo research.
Key Takeaways:
(1:25) Broke to first deal in about seven days
(8:44) Take action before you feel ready: escaping the information-overload trap
(10:47) Find the deal first, and the money will follow
(11:05) How to have seller conversations without selling yourself
(14:37) The follow-up cadence that turns a "not now" into a future deal
(17:36) Inside The Storage Rebellion's three groups and why community matters (22:15) The day-after-closing checklist for a new facility
(26:32) Deal-killers to look for on a property walk: roof, water, drainage, access, security
(31:58) Where to find deals today: Google Maps, TractIQ, brokers, and Facebook Marketplace
(37:43) You rise to the level of your environment
(40:19) Why 30 solid relationships beat 600 mailers
Resources Mentioned:
The Storage Rebellion | Website
https://thestoragerebellion.com
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to "Students of Storage." Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
#SelfStorage #SelfStorageInvesting #CubbyStorage #BusinessGrowth #StorageRebellion
Earning the Keys: Winning Storage Owners Through Operational Excellence with JC Reed of All-Purpose Storage Management
2026/07/20
Owners do not hand over their facilities lightly. What earns that trust is not a pitch, it is operational excellence delivered every day by a team that follows through. In this episode JC Reed lays out how a third-party manager builds an operation owners want to stick with, from the systems that hold up at scale to the attention to detail that sophisticated owners notice.
JC spent 12 years at Public Storage, rising to senior regional vice president over 80 to 100-plus locations across Washington, Hawaii, and Idaho. He later helped build the platform at Store Space, spent time at BlueGate Storage under Madison Capital Group, and now leads operations and revenue management at All-Purpose Storage, which has grown past 87 facilities as it expands into third-party management. He brings the operational discipline of a national REIT to a fast-moving, entrepreneurial team.
This is a practical conversation for owners, operators, and managers. JC explains what makes Public Storage's execution so hard to replicate, why systems that run three stores fall apart at twenty, how he rebuilt a broken collections process, and how a remote-management model keeps unmanned sites looking as sharp as staffed ones. He is candid about what actually differentiates a manager over the long term: talent, care, follow-through, and living your core values. It is not just a number to his team, and that is why owners keep handing over the keys.
Key Takeaways:
(4:52) Why retail and franchise backgrounds build operators who can coach, develop, and hold a team accountable
(12:43) The operational excellence JC saw at Public Storage and works to replicate: SOP discipline, ROI on every decision, and reliance on data
(16:33) Why scaling breaks what works: systems that run three stores fall apart at twenty, and at eighty without real process
(21:22) Rebuilding a broken collections and auction process from over 20% down to industry-leading, within state lien law
(24:17) Revenue management as an operational discipline: ancillary income like solar, truck parking clubs, and protection plans
(26:11) Know who you are: pricing to your facility's life cycle and position in the market
(29:01) Testing and iterating on rate increases instead of guessing
(31:41) What actually differentiates a third-party manager: talent, care, and follow-through
(32:17) A remote-management model that keeps unmanned sites looking sharp, and onboarding that earns owner trust
(34:46) Why technology and AI have become table stakes for operating at scale
(39:21) JC's why: family, the people he works with, and the owners who entrust their assets
Resources Mentioned:
All-Purpose Storage Management | Website
https://www.allpurposemanagement.com/
JC Reed | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jc-reed-74977518/
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to "Students of Storage." Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
#SelfStorage #ThirdPartyManagement #CubbyStorage #BusinessGrowth
Grow Healthy, Not Just Big: Lessons From Scaling a Storage Management Company with Brett Copper of Copper Storage Management
2026/07/06
Brett Copper, partner and president of Copper Storage Management, joins Matt Engfer to share how he helped build one of the industry's first third-party remote management companies and what scaling it taught him about growing a business the right way.
Brett grew up in self storage. He spent childhood summers auditing facilities with his father, worked at CubeSmart out of college, and ran feasibility studies and due diligence projects for years before launching Copper Storage Management in 2019. He saw that remote management was possible long before the software or the industry was ready for it.
Then COVID hit, and Copper was one of the only management companies that could operate with no one in the office. The portfolio exploded to nearly 200 stores in a matter of months. In this episode, Brett is candid about what that breakneck growth cost him, why he deliberately shrank the business to around 120 stores, and how learning his true cost to operate turned Copper into a healthier, more profitable, and more resilient company.
He also breaks down the trends that reshaped self-storage technology, the five things he looks for when evaluating a facility to add value, and why a diversified base of small owners protects the business better than a few large clients ever could.
This is a practical conversation about disciplined growth, operations, and what it really takes to build a storage business that lasts.
Key Takeaways:
(0:00) Intro
(3:06) Who Brett is and what Copper Storage Management does
(5:10) Growing up in a self-storage family
(9:01) The origin story of Copper Storage Management
(15:22) COVID and the explosion to nearly 200 stores
(17:50) Copper's remote and hybrid management model
(19:40) What's next, and the cost of scaling too fast
(24:08) How technology transformed self storage
(30:49) Five things that make or break a storage deal
(38:03) Why a diversified client base lowers risk
Resources Mentioned:
Copper Storage Management | Website
https://copperstoragemanagement.com
Brett Copper | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-copper-750672171/
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to "Students of Storage." Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
#SelfStorage #StorageInvesting #Entrepreneurship #CubbyStorage #BusinessGrowth
From Oil Prices to Storage Units: Building a Business You Control with Karl Graham of Luminous Capital
2026/04/06
Karl Graham, Co-Founder of Luminous Capital, joins Matt Engfer to share his journey from oil and gas exploration to building a growing self-storage platform across the heartland.
After spending a decade making high-stakes investment decisions in a volatile and capital-intensive industry, Karl realized he wanted something different. He wanted to build a business where execution, discipline, and team performance had a greater impact than external forces. That shift ultimately led him into self storage.
In this episode, Karl walks through how Luminous Capital scaled from individual syndications to launching a fund, why geographic focus creates a real operational edge, and how disciplined underwriting and risk management have shaped their growth. He also shares how his team is leveraging data, marketing, and AI. This includes analyzing tens of thousands of customer calls to improve sales performance and building more advanced revenue management systems to stay competitive in today’s market.
This conversation is a practical look at what it takes to build and operate a successful storage business today and why the days of easy storage are behind us.
Key Takeaways:
(0:00) Intro
(2:19) Karl’s background in oil and gas and transition to self storage
(13:34) Why he chose self storage over other real estate asset classes
(24:12) Why geographic focus creates a competitive advantage
(28:22) How Luminous operates remotely with local teams
(33:20) How Luminous creates value for self-storage businesses in today’s market
(36:33) Growing the Operation and Taking Next Steps
(42:36) Using data and AI to improve operations and sales
(49:10) Revenue management, pricing strategies, and AI agents
Resources Mentioned:
Luminous Capital | Website
https://www.luminouscapital.com
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
The Real Legal Risks for Self-Storage Operators with Jeff Greenberger of Late2Lien
2026/01/28
Jeff Greenberger, a nationally recognized self-storage attorney and founder of Late2Lien, joins Matt Engfer to explain why lien enforcement isn’t dangerous—but getting it wrong absolutely is.
With more than 30 years of experience serving the self-storage industry, Jeff walks through the real legal risks operators face when notices, timelines, disclosures, or documentation aren’t handled precisely. From evolving state statutes and California’s increasingly complex disclosure requirements to tenant tactics pulled straight from Reddit, this episode exposes how small operational missteps can quickly turn into lawsuits.
Jeff also shares why “compliance is king,” how technology can remove human error from the lien process, and how Late2Lien was built to take responsibility off managers’ plates while protecting owners from liability. The conversation blends legal insight, real-world examples, and practical guidance that every operator—large or small—can apply immediately.
Key Takeaways:
(0:00) Intro
(1:47) Jeff's story
(4:56) Shaping the legal landscape of self-storage
(7:52) Current legal issues Jeff’s clients are facing
(11:12) Making sure clients are limiting risk and exposure to litigation
(12:24) CA & PA Bills impacting rates and lien statutes
(19:46) Reddit threads creating risk for self-storage owners: Credit Cards
(22:31) Reddit threads about change of address scams
(26:14) How does Late2Lien work?
(33:28) Late2Lien helps avoid the sale
(34:54) How Cubby and Late2Lien work together
Resources Mentioned:
Late2Lien | Website
https://www.late2lien.com
Jeff Greenberger | Self Storage Law
https://www.selfstoragelegal.com/
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#SelfStorage #SelfStorageLaw #StudentsOfStorage
From Reviews to Rentals: Turning Google Feedback into Real Growth with Kale Leavitt of StorageReach
2026/01/21
Kale Leavitt, CEO of StorageReach, joins Matt Engfer to break down why Google Reviews have become one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—drivers of growth in self-storage.
Drawing on nearly a decade of experience in storage marketing, Kale explains how reviews impact far more than reputation. From organic rankings and paid search performance to leasing velocity and customer trust, reviews now touch every part of the renter’s decision-making process. He shares what he learned while helping grow SEO services from zero to nearly 1,500 facilities, and how those lessons led to building StorageReach as a review-first platform designed specifically for self storage.
In this episode, Kale walks through the mechanics behind quality, quantity, and consistency in review generation, why “spikes” hurt more than they help, and how automation allows operators to generate steady reviews without overwhelming tenants. The result is a practical, system-based approach to turning reviews into measurable business performance.
Key Takeaways:
(0:00) Intro
(1:34) Kale's story
(4:16) The beginning and growth of StorageReach
(7:11) Marketing lessons learned from the early days
(9:00) The MVP of StorageReach and getting Google reviews
(11:41) Checking the boxes of getting reviews and seeing results
(14:44) Effective ways to get positive review and avoid negative reviews
(19:56) Working alongside Google
(22:21) What’s next for StorageReach
Resources Mentioned:
Kale Leavitt | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kale-leavitt-9063488b/
StorageReach | Website
https://storagereach.com
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#SelfStorageReviews #StorageMarketing #StudentsOfStorage
Execution Wins: Scaling Up by Mastering the Basics
2026/01/14
Magen Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Atomic Storage Group, joins Matt Engfer to share how disciplined execution, strong fundamentals, and a people-first mindset have fueled one of the fastest-growing third-party management companies in self storage.
Magen walks through her unconventional path into the industry—from accounting and consulting to development and ultimately building Atomic Storage Group into a national platform. She explains why marketing is often the first indicator of operational health, which metrics truly matter in a property audit, and how consistent execution across marketing, operations, and customer experience creates long-term success.
Rather than chasing shortcuts or shiny tools, this episode reinforces a simple truth: doing the basics well, every day, at scale is what separates average operators from great ones.
Key Takeaways:
(0:00) Intro
(3:13) Magen's story
(7:14) The metrics that matter in a property audit
(9:23) How do you compete in today's market
(10:18) Managing all aspects of the facility
(12:37) Doing it well everyday - it's all about execution
(15:34) Building an effective team
(18:07) A diverse group of managed properties
(19:16) The secret is, there is no secret - hard work and a great team make the difference
(20:56) The growth and future of Atomic Storage Group and self storage
(25:46) What's ahead for Cubby in 2026
Resources Mentioned:
Magen Smith | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/magensmithcpa
Atomic Storage Group | Website
https://atomicstoragegroup.com
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#SelfStorageManagement #StorageMarketing #StudentsOfStorage
Power and Responsibility: Staying Compliant in the Self-Storage Lien Process with Luke Shardlow and Scott Zucker
2025/12/03
Self-storage attorney Scott Zucker and Luke Shardlow, CEO of AI Lean, join host Matt Engfer for a deep dive into one of the most critical—and risky—parts of operating a storage facility: the lien process. Together, they discuss the legal responsibilities operators carry when enforcing tenant liens, why accuracy and documentation matter more than ever, and how technology can help reduce human error, avoid legal pitfalls, and keep operators fully compliant.
Scott highlights the newest challenges around SCRA protection, bankruptcy filings, returned mail, and changing state laws, while Luke explains how AI Lean’s platform automates verification, mailing, tracking, and recordkeeping to protect operators at every step.
Whether you’re a new operator or managing a large portfolio, this episode gives you the practical tools and insights you need to navigate liens with confidence—and avoid costly mistakes.
Key Takeaways:(01:47) Speaker Introductions
(09:14) Understanding SCRA compliance and military verification.
(10:09) The Power and Responsibility the go along with the lien process
(15:20) Technology considerations for staying SCRA compliant
(19:30) How bankruptcy impacts the lien timeline.
(21:28) Complications that come from deceased tenants
(23:00) What operators should look for in a lien-processing partner
(26:53) Don’t be afraid to cancel the sale
(29:58) Solutions to avoiding a cancelled or illegal sale
(36:00) Final lessons learned
Resources Mentioned:
Scott Zucker | Website
https://wzlegal.com
AI Lean | Website
https://www.ailean.com
Self Storage Legal Network
https://www.selfstorage.org/Products-Services/Self-Storage-Legal-Network
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to the Cubby Podcast. Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#SelfStorage #SelfStorageLienLaw #AILean #SelfStorageLegal #CubbyStorage #StorageOperations
Taking the Guesswork Out Of Marketing: Data, Partnerships, and Performance with Gabe Thayn
2025/11/10
Gabe Thayn, Co-Founder of Marketing.Storage, joins Matt Engfer to share how data, transparency, and true partnership—not vendor relationships—drive marketing success for self-storage operators. With nearly 20 years of experience leading digital marketing at companies like Extra Space Storage and Adigma, Gabe has helped shape how the industry approaches SEO, paid search, and performance measurement.
In this episode, Gabe explains why understanding and tracking your data is the foundation of every effective marketing strategy. He outlines the three core pillars of SEO—technical structure, content, and backlinks—and how to optimize each one for local impact. Gabe also breaks down what it takes to achieve accurate attribution, measure true ROI, and turn marketing insights into more rentals.
For operators and owners looking to make smarter marketing investments and build stronger partnerships, this episode offers a clear roadmap for turning data into performance.
Key Takeaways:
(01:44) Gabe’s journey from tech and gaming into marketing.
(07:00) Lessons learned from leading paid media at Extra Space Storage.
(10:30) Leaving Extra Space and using Google data in the hotel industry and beyond
(13:00) Agencies vs Firms - the importance of partnerships and beginning Marketing.Storage
(16:00) The foundation underneath Marketing.Storage - partners, not clients
(18:00) Why you need a marketing partner vs DIY - SEO Tips
(20:35) The three pillars of SEO: technical, content, and backlinks.
(24:50) Practical local backlink strategies for storage facilities.
(29:05) How you can generate more rentals- Measurement and analytics
(35:36) Using data to make smarter marketing and investment decisions
(37:44) The difference between vendors and partners in marketing success
(41:00) Why communication and accountability lead to better results
Resources Mentioned:
Gabe Thayn | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-thayn/
Marketing.Storage | Website
https://www.marketing.storage
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#SelfStorageManagement #StorageMarketing #StudentsOfStorage
Building Soldiers, Not Staff: Culture and Growth at The Storage Mall with Frank Certo
2025/10/22
Frank Certo, COO of The Storage Mall, shares how leadership, consistency, and culture drive performance across one of the fastest-growing third-party management companies in self-storage. From hockey coach to sales trainer to operations leader, Frank brings decades of experience building high-performing teams that think like owners.
He discusses the evolution of The Storage Mall, which has grown to more than 60 managed properties since 2022, and breaks down the three pillars that guide their operation—Customer Experience, Revenue Management, and Compliance. Frank also unpacks how empowering managers, developing culture, and creating consistency across every customer touchpoint translate into stronger results and happier tenants.
Key Takeaways:
01:40 From hockey rinks to self-storage: Frank’s career journey.
08:37 Lessons from Guardian Storage and early industry relationships.
17:23 Launching The Storage Mall and scaling quickly through partnership.
20:19 Business Development of The Storage Mall with Alex Herbs
25:00 What makes The Storage Mall Different - Defining the Why
28:09 Retaining and developing top talent through strong culture.
32:45 Building Operations: The Customer Journey and Beyond
38:21 Consistency across Website, Phone, and Property Experience
40:58 Empowering managers to act like owners.
44:55 Shifts in industry strategy—from occupancy to revenue performance.
Resources Mentioned:
Frank Certo | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fjcerto
The Storage Mall | Website
https://www.thestoragemall.com/
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#SelfStorageManagement #TheStorageMall #StudentsOfStorage
From 32 to 600: How SAM Grew With Marketing at the Core with Melissa Stiles
2025/09/30
Melissa Stiles, Chief Marketing Officer of Storage Asset Management (SAM), shares her journey from answering a blind ad to leading one of the largest third-party management companies in self-storage. Overseeing marketing, revenue management, business development, and communications, Melissa has helped SAM grow from 32 stores to nearly 600.
In this conversation, she explains how her team evolved into a full-service, agency-style structure with specialists in SEO, paid ads, social, and local marketing. Melissa dives into strategies that drive lease-ups, from influencer partnerships and community events to data-driven revenue management models. She also discusses how AI is reshaping SEO, what makes local marketing still matter, and why reputation and relationships remain central to SAM’s success.
Key Takeaways:
(2:47) Melissa’s Journey to become CMO and the growth of SAM
(6:11) Developing the marketing team
(9:45) Key questions to making a great hire
(11:42) Case study for building a marketing strategy for a self storage facility
(14:28) Strategies for a successful for lease up
(17:24) When should you expect stabilization
(18:27) Getting found with AI in the lease up process
(21:32) The advantages of scaling up for a brand
(23:50) Using data to impact operations
(26:18) Revenue management tactics
(27:53) The pride of making a real world impact
Resources Mentioned:
Melissa Stiles | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissastiles/
Storage Asset Management | Website
https://www.storageassetmanagement.com
Storage Sense | Website
https://www.storagesense.com
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com/
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#SelfStorageMarketing #StorageAssetManagement #StudentsOfStorage
Marketing that Matters with Tyler Suchman
2025/08/15
Tyler Suchman, founder of The Storage Agency, shares how local SEO, Google Ads, and a partner-first approach drive smart, sustainable growth in self-storage. With a background spanning sports media, music, and tech startups, Tyler has built a marketing agency serving over 300 facilities nationwide. He walks us through aligning marketing spend with operator goals, cleaning up a facility’s online footprint, leveraging Google reviews, and building trust-based client relationships that last.
Key Takeaways:
(02:12) From sports radio to self-storage marketing.
(06:45) Choosing self-storage as a niche and how they partner with clients.
(11:03) Aligning marketing spend with client stabilization goals.
(13:36) What an agency should do
(16:38) Small operator case study
(18:14) The nuts and bolts of local SEO and cleaning up your “web footprint.”
(24:03) Why Google reviews matter and how to respond effectively.
(27:37) What makes a great client—and the traits that make partnerships thrive.
(32:40) Cubby enhancing their platform for better marketing results
(35:52) Website considerations for better marketing results.
(39:25) Integrity, kindness, and doing business with the right people.
Resources Mentioned:
Tyler Suchman | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylersuchman/
The Storage Agency | Website
https://www.thestorageagency.com/
Cubby | Website
https://www.cubbystorage.com/
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#SelfStorageMarketing #LocalSEO #GoogleAds #StorageAgency #StudentsOfStorage
How Smart Automation Drives Growth for Storage Owners with Nate Kinet of SafeLease
2025/07/24
Nate Kinet, Chief Revenue Officer of SafeLease, shares how insurance, automation, and reputation management reshape self-storage performance. Nate blends a decade of tech-driven insurance experience with deep storage knowledge, showing us how to turn compliance headaches into meaningful revenue and stronger customer trust.
Key Takeaways:
(02:00) Making the shift from tech and insurance to self-storage.
(07:02) Learning from how leading operators drive program adoption.
(10:28) Using technology to streamline compliance and claims.
(14:11) Designing programs that reduce risk and increase revenue.
(16:45) Automating coverage enforcement across portfolios.
(19:51) Building consistency through strong lease enforcement.
(24:25) Creating tailored insurance solutions for the industry.
(30:11) Scaling growth with a proactive sales strategy.
Resources Mentioned:
Nate Kinet
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkinet/
SafeLease | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/safelease/
SafeLease | Website
https://www.safelease.com
Trustpilot
https://www.trustpilot.com/
Cubby Holes Self Storage
https://www.cubbyselfstorage.com/
Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
#CubbyStorageSoftware #SelfStorageOperations #SelfStorageSoftware
Podcast reviews
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JimRoss8 2025/06/25
Raw, Real, and Super Helpful
Loving the Students of Storage podcast! It’s not your usual boring business talk — it’s honest, down-to-earth conversations with people who actually d...
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