Creating Wealth Through Self Storage
Supports investors getting in or growing a self storage business
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Supports investors getting in or growing a self storage business
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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! **My latest book, The Creative Method of Wealth Generation** **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storag
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. **My latest book, The Creative Method of Wealth Generation** **Self-Storage Tur
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. **My latest book, The Creative Method of Wealth Generation** **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storage-facility-non-fb/ **Startup Checklist** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-475-self-storage-startu
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. **My latest book, The Creative Method of Wealth Generation** **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storage-facility-non-fb/ **Startup Checklist** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/epis
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. **My latest book, The Creative Method of Wealt
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. **My latest book, The Creative Method of Wealth Generation** **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages
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 surpr
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
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 in
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 th
There has never been a moment in self-storage history where the gap between well-chosen vendors and poorly chosen ones mattered more than it does today. We are currently choosing our vendors for a new brand and have discovered one thing… Vendors today can make or break you! Let me share with you what I mean. **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storage-facility-non-fb/ **Startup Checklist** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-475-self-storage-startup-checklist-4-steps-owners-
You have heard of SEO, pay-per-click, Google algorithms and the gambit of online marketing terms. There is a new but vitally critical term you have got to understand today…the new world of GSO. Although you may be tired of hearing about AI and how it applies to your self-storage business, their AI hole is only getting deeper. If you haven’t already, it’s now time to embrace it and begin to understand how it is currently effecting your marketing, operations and getting online customer. If you want to stay relevant and visible to new customers, you had better get your mind wrapped around this fa
In the most recent ISS Expo I attended, once again I saw that Millennials have become 20% plus of self-storage customers, up from about 16% a year ago. I remember some of the stereotypes many had a few years ago about the millennial generation: • Avocado toast and $7 lattes. • Lazy and entitled. • Failure to launch. Now, given that they are becoming an increasingly larger percentage of our customer base, I decided to do my own research. Let me share with you what I found out. It may truly surprise you. **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/epis
I hear partners, people I coach, and investors ask the question, “How can a smaller independent owner compete today with REITs or a big institutional player today? They have a lot more money and people, and their cost of capital is so low.” Valid question, but the reality is, it’s not that hard to outperform them. Their size also creates inherent weaknesses. Let’s take a look at what they might be and how you can beat REITs. **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storage-facility-non-fb/ **Startup Ch
It’s time to talk about square foot per capita again. I have run into more and more issues with that metric and think it is time to permanently interrupt the myth that still pervades our industry. That myth is: ….. {explained in video} **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storage-facility-non-fb/ **Startup Checklist** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-475-self-storage-startup-checklist-4-steps-owners-miss/ **Cap Rate, ROI & IRR Calculator** https://creatingwealththroughself
Let’s look at ways to reduce our insurance cost in 2026 and beyond. This expense line item is doing nothing but going up. Last week we had Terry Campbell of Johnson Insurance visit us in the Inner Circle. Here are some of the tips he gave us last Friday. I think you may be able to get some solid things to do that will help you reduce your operating expenses by controlling this line item. **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storage-facility-non-fb/ **Startup Checklist** https://creatingwealththroug
Finally! U-Haul’s President and CEO Joe Shoen took a public stand in opposition to the deplorable pricing practices most of the bigger REITs and institutional players use today, with the absolute worst being Extra Space in my opinion. I am talking about the bait and switch tactic of luring customers in with lower rates, then raising them exponentially, knowing it is difficult for many customers to move. U-Haul nationwide is declaring enough is enough and offering a 12-month rent rate lock to new customers. Let’s explore why I think this is so important and what could be avoided for our industr
A few weeks ago we had a three-part series on Revenue Strategies designed for 2026. Now let’s focus on the expense side today. Today, let’s go over the expenses I think can be impacted in 2026 and a few general ideas and practices I might recommend doing to achieve that. I think you may have more impact than you may initially think. **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storage-facility-non-fb/ **Startup Checklist** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-475-self-storage-startup-
I am in some partnerships that will be taking over some facilities and doing some expansions. So I have been thinking through some of the spaces our team will have to go through as we prepare to bring these projects online. Given the purpose of these episodes is to learn out loud what we do in the self-storage industry, I thought this would be a fitting episode for early 2026, especially if you are also bringing something online soon. **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/episode-476-four-steps-i-use-to-revive-a-self-storage-facility-non-fb/ **
Two weeks ago I started this series (Episodes 487 and 488). I think it is critical for this year, given what we see in the current self-storage landscape. Effective revenue strategies are going to make the difference between well-performing assets this year and ones that fall behind due to pressures on operating expenses, as well as macro-economic pressures, which were outlined in last week’s episode. In this episode, we will discuss another important way to have a major impact on your cash flow and revenue. Let’s increase your add-on revenue in 2026 and beyond. Let’s explore some of the usual
Last week I started this series, Episode 487, which I think is critical for this year given what we see in the current self-storage landscape. Effective revenue strategies are going to make the difference between well-performing assets this year and those that fall behind due to pressures on operating expenses, as well as macro-economic pressures that were outlined in last week’s episode. In this episode, we will discuss another way to have a major impact on your cash flow and revenue, and a powerful way to increase the value of your self-storage project. That is being on top of, and effective
In today’s competitive world of self-storage, reducing rates to match or beat your competition can feel like the smart move. There’s a lot of supply, and pricing algorithms are adjusting rates to keep up with what’s happening in a trade area. And consumers often think of self-storage as a commodity, so they’ll just go with the cheapest rate… right? Well, not always. In 2026, powerful revenue strategies are going to be critical—more important than ever. I will explain why in this three-part series. In this first episode, let’s explore what I think are some good approaches to consider this year
In 1995, I had an Acquisition Director for Storage Trust, a REIT at the time, tell me, “Basically, self-storage is a boring and slow industry. Not many changes.” That is certainly not the case in 2026. This industry is evolving, and evolving at a fast clip. Let me share with you what I see for the small self-storage investor in 2026. I’ll talk about where I see the industry going this year and how it may impact us and what we put our attention on. Music in the episode is from Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” from a golfer’s POV. **Self-Storage Turnaround Playbook** https://creatingwealththro
Here are some details, benefits, and specials about my premier training program, the Self-Storage Bootcamp. Watch this short video to see if this is for you. For more details and to register, please click here. https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/2026-q1-live-virtual-bootcamp/ To schedule a call with me to see if it is right for you, here is the link: https://markhelmcoachingcallschedule.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?notembedded=1 Now is the time to take action if you want to get into, or grow, your self-storage business in 2026. For information on the upcoming Bootcamp: htt
I hesitated to make this video. I don’t want to sound alarmist or like I am trying to scare people. I’ve seen multiple market cycles over the years. But what I believe is approaching now is very different from anything we’ve seen before. Let’s talk about how what I see coming could impact you, your life, and your self-storage business. For information of the Upcoming Bootcamp: Bootcamp https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/2026-q1-live-virtual-bootcamp/ **Q1 2026 Virtual Self Storage Bootcamp Sign Up** https://creatingwealththroughselfstorage.lpages.co/2026-q1-live-virtual-bootcam
