As the self storage industry moves further online, legal risks are evolving fast. In this Legal Chat episode, Carlos Kaslow and Scott Zucker break down the biggest legal challenges operators face today—and how to prepare for them.

Key topics include:

• Website accessibility & ADA lawsuits
• Deceptive Trade Practices and Drip Pricing
• Mandatory arbitration vs. class action exposure
• Disclosing fees and exclusions online
• Online contracts (click-wrap, scroll-wrap) and enforceability
• Oregon’s wage theft law and its impact on construction projects
• Revenue management & antitrust concerns—especially around RealPage
• Why transparency, documentation, and education are your best legal defenses

Carlos and Scott offer real-world examples, recent cases, and clear takeaways to help you reduce risk and protect your facility.

You can watch this episode over on the YouTube channel- Watch Episode 6 on YouTube

Make sure to subscribe to watch future episodes.

Hosts: Carlos Kaslow & Scott Zucker with the Self Storage Legal Network

Brought to you by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

AI is everywhere in the self storage world—but how can operators actually use it day-to-day?

In this episode, Jennifer Barroqueiro from All-Purpose Storage joins Josh and Melissa Huff to share real, practical ways managers and owners can leverage AI to save time, improve communication, and boost efficiency.

We discuss:

• How AI can streamline emails, Google review responses, and content creation

• Using AI tools to scrape competitor rates and recommend pricing

• Tips for creating branded graphics and mascots (like APS’s famous goat, Roy)

• Why detailed prompting and verification matter for reliable results

• How to avoid losing your brand’s voice while still using AI to speed up work

• Plus, recommendations that extend to using AI beyond the office

Whether you’re skeptical of AI or just looking for ways to make it work for you, this episode gives actionable ideas you can start using today.

Episode Resource: Episode 138- When AI Isn't the Answer

Guest: Jennifer Barroqueiro (All-Purpose Storage)

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Is your self storage facility ready for the future—or falling behind?

In this episode, Nigel Kreft from Elevate Structures joins Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff to talk about how to keep your property competitive, profitable, and positioned for growth through the right upgrades and expansions.

We discuss:

• When and why to upgrade or expand (from occupancy struggles to prepping for a sale)

• How to time improvements around seasons, customer impact, and ROI

• The upgrades that deliver the biggest return (and the ones that matter long-term, even with delayed ROI)

• Expert tips for roofing, fencing, gates, access systems, and landscaping

• How to decide between raising rates, expanding, or acquiring

• Common construction pitfalls and how to avoid them

• What to know about budgeting, vendors, and scheduling before breaking ground

• The three upgrades every operator should prioritize: security, functional doors, and quality roofing

Whether you’re battling competition, planning to sell, or simply want to keep your facility thriving, this episode will help you make smart decisions that pay off now—and years down the road.

This webinar originally aired on July 24, 2025 .

Watch the YouTube replay- Webinar of this Episode

Guest: Nigel Kreft (Elevate Structures)

Hosts: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Your facility manager isn’t just an employee—they’re running your multi-million-dollar business. Are you training, empowering, and compensating them to reflect that responsibility?

In this episode, we cover:

• What NOT to incentivize (and why the wrong goals can hurt your bottom line)

• How to educate your manager (or yourself) so they fully understand how your business makes money

• The big question: How should you actually incentivize your manager? (What’s pay is fair, effective, and aligned with your goals)

• Why clear expectations and proper training are critical for getting manager buy-in and strong facility performance

If you want a manager who’s invested in your success—and a pay structure that motivates the right behaviors—this episode gives you the framework to make it happen.

Listen to Part 1 of this topic - Run It Like You're Selling It Episode

Don't forget to subscribe to Lighthouse Storage Solutions on YouTube to get alerts for our upcoming video podcast.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Whether you plan to sell next year or in 20 years, one thing is certain: you won’t own your self storage facility forever. So how do you ensure it’s gaining—and retaining—value?

In this episode, we explore what it means to steward your storage asset with the future in mind. We break down three key areas that directly impact your facility’s long-term value:

• ✅ Up-to-date procedures that ensure smooth operations and make your facility attractive to buyers or successors

• 📈 Revenue management strategies to drive consistent growth and uncover missed income opportunities

• 🛠️ Capital improvements that actually pay off and keep your facility competitive in the market

For those preparing to exit the industry or just wanting to build a stronger business, this episode offers practical ways to protect and grow the value of your facility—starting today.

Episode resources: Policies and Procedures Episode

Don't forget to subscribe to Lighthouse Storage Solutions on YouTube to get alerts for our upcoming video podcast.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

How's your social media presence? Do you post once a month? Once a year? If your Facebook page or Instagram profile are low priorities, it might be time for a change.

A HUGE update from META dropped today. Posts on social can now be indexed on Google. Plus, Google is launching AI Mode to go along with their traditional search. What does this mean for self storage? It means content is more important that ever. Google is searching the same way we do, serving results from LinkedIn, YouTube, Reddit, and yes, even your Facebook Page right in your results window.

So dust off those social media strategies, get out that camera phone, and start posting, because social media is back for self storage.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

We sat down with James Hatfield from LiveSwitch and Michael Brevdeh from Cubby to unpack how self storage operators can make the most of their technology—whether you're working with what you already have or considering your next big upgrade.

We dive into:

• The essential tech tools every facility should have in place

• The most underutilized features operators overlook

• How tech can help you enhance marketing, convert leads, and optimize operations

• Tips to automate your workflow—and what tasks should not be automated

• Signs it’s time for a tech upgrade and how to prioritize improvements

• Red flags when evaluating new tech and vendors

• Emerging trends like AI, smart facility tools, and what could become the next must-have for storage facilities

If you're a self storage operator wondering how to get more out of your systems—or which tech investment will actually move the needle—this one’s for you. This webinar originally aired on July 3, 2025 .

Watch the YouTube replay- Webinar of this Episode

Guest: James Hatfield (LiveSwitch) and Michael Brevdeh (Cubby)

Hosts: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Brought to you by the teams at StoragePug and Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Clear, intentional signage isn’t just for looks—it can shape the entire customer experience, reduce confusion, and cut down on unnecessary phone calls. In this episode, we break down the essential signs every facility should have and why they matter.

We cover:

• Why your main sign should be simple and brand-driven—no phone numbers required

• The one sign every facility needs

• How to guide tenants effectively with keypad instructions and move-out signage

• The importance of directional signs for large or awkwardly laid-out facilities

• What to include (and what to avoid) with security signage

• The difference between professional, purposeful signage and visual clutter

• Seasonal tips for amenity signs that highlight climate control, RV/boat parking, and more

We were inspired for this topic by our recent consulting project for Access Storage and recorded this on location from their rustic red barn in French Lick, Indiana (during a heat index of 106°!).

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

One of the biggest questions we get asked is, "How can I compete with my competitor down the street who is offering the same unit as me but for 50% less?"

Low intro rates are a strategy many large companies are using, but don't worry. You have options other than bottoming out your prices and losing money for the first several months of a rental.

We examine target marketing and several "specials" that have proven effective at combatting the low intro rate strategy. This isn't the time for a "if you can't beat them, join them" approach. These strategies call for setting your business apart as a greater value and showing that it's worth paying a few dollars more in the long run.

If you'd like to read more about target marketing, here's the link to the article we mentioned in the show - How Target Marketing Can Transform Your Self-Storage Business article from Inside Self-Storage

If you'd like to listen to more about these strategies, we get into several of them on our recent webinar with Andrew Sherrard from Reliable Storage - Optimizing Occupancy Podcast with Andrew Sherrard

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Sometimes real life just smacks you in the face. That was our week, and it happens to us all. If you run a small business, like self storage, it can hit a little different. What happens to your business if you get that call or text that forces you to focus all of your attention on something else? If you have to step away, will your business survive?

Today we focus on some simple practices that can help you handle those real life moments and still keep your business going. Planning margin in to your schedule, automation, and using tech are just a few of the areas we touch on.

But the most important takeaway - if you are faced with the choice of real life or your business, always choose real life. The broken gate will still be there in the morning.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions