We're LIVE from Las Vegas at the SSA Fall Conference and Expo! There is a ton happening in our industry, from technology to marketing to operations. We learned a lot, plus spent plenty of time building relationships with our storage family. Listen in on a few key takeaways from days one and two of the conference, plus a few teasers for topics we'll be covering in future episodes. Also, our recommendations if you're ever in Vegas and need a great tattoo or a tasty dinner.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Are you just getting started in self storage? Have you been around for a bit and want to hear what another operator is up to? From new tech, to building plans, to the benefits of your state association, we cover a ton of territory with some very special guests. Max & Allison Vallotton from Gate 5 Self Storage joined us for a fun remote podcast LIVE from Augusta, GA. They share their story of getting into the industry and several lessons learned along the way. There's something for everyone in this episode, including some unique recommendations at the end.

Hosts: Josh Huff, Melissa Huff, Max Vallotton, & Allison Vallotton

Learn more about Gate 5 Self Storage

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Industry experts Sue Haviland and Terry Campbell join hosts Tommy and Melissa for our monthly webinar rebroadcast focused on team management. We covered a ton from hiring top talent, identifying red and green flags, and implementing effective training programs to nurturing employee growth, retaining staff with attractive perks, and resolving conflicts. Discover strategies for training employees in various areas like sales, marketing, maintenance, collections, conflict resolution, and customer service, as well as engaging in a lively lightning round to wrap it up.

Guests: Sue Haviland (Owner: Haviland Storage Services) & Terry Campbell (CEO: Copper Storage Management)

Hosts: Melissa Huff (Lightouse Storage Solutions) & Tommy Nguyen (StoragePug)

Picture a vibrant luncheon near Memphis, TN, where attendees gathered around round tables, engaging in lively discussions about occupancy, marketing, and preferred vendors. The event kicked off on a light note with the question "What's the craziest thing you found in your units?" Listen in as we share the most intriguing and hilarious stories that emerged from this icebreaker.

But it's not just about the tales; this episode underscores the immense value of attending such gatherings and other self-storage shows. Discover how these events serve as educational hubs and unparalleled networking opportunities for industry professionals like you.

Hosts: Melissa Huff and Josh Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

What is the best self storage software? What should it do for you? What are the must-have features? Software is essential for the success of your self storage business, from online rentals, to facility maps, to integrations. We've seen a lot of questions online about which company to choose and which options are important. There are a ton of great options out there with more popping up all the time. We share our top features and things to keep in mind as you consider moving to a new platform or look to use it for the first time.

Plus, we share a few recommendations at the end about new tech we're enjoying for work and play.

Learn from our experience using one of these softwares during our move in- Episode 49 We Rented a Storage Unit

Hosts: Melissa Huff and Josh Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Do you know what it takes to maintain your self storage facility? What preventative maintenance should you schedule and when is it time to replace vs repair? Join us for a maintenance-focused episode where self-storage experts Jackie Belau and Nigel Kreft join Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff for an insightful discussion. From gates and fences to doors and locks, we explore various options and their pros and cons. Discover maintenance tips for walls, siding, and roofs, along with the importance of signage, presentation, and cleanliness.

Guests: Jackie Belau (Everbrite Coatings) & Nigel Kreft (Storage Structures)

Hosts: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

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

For more on this topic check out our past episode- "Storage Maintenance Part 1: The Property"

It's easy to become complacent in any industry, thinking you've got the answers. Maybe you do know all the answers to your questions, but are you sure you're asking the right questions? That's where a consultant proves their value. 

Have you enlisted a consultant to maximize your self storage business? If not, why not? Consultants provide a valuable second set of eyes to evaluate your operation, providing solutions you may not have even considered. We unpack how an experienced consultant can identify problems, save you money, and increase efficiency through their experience applied to your business.

Plus, we have more big news about our business to share at the end along with some shoutouts and our weekly recommendations.

Hosts: Melissa Huff & Josh Huff

Produced by: Lighthouse Storage Solutions

A picture's worth 1,000 words, but a drone photo is worth 1,000 photos. If you haven't gotten on board the drone train to showcase your self storage facility, you're missing out on a valuable marketing tool. But once you decide to enlist a drone company, how do you pick the right one? Can't you just do it yourself?

Melissa and Josh cover just about everything you need to know to make sure you get the most out of your drone photos and videos, from choosing the right pilot to nailing down a good deal for yourself. Our Top 10 list covers:

1. Licensing
2. Portfolio & Equipment
3. Specific Shots
4. Weather
5. Quality Footage
6. Experience in Storage
7. Editing
8. Turnaround
9. Delivery
10. Pricing

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Did you have a fun day off celebrating the 4th of July? Did your customers know you were closed? We dive into some basic best practices for holidays, plus talk through some scenarios brought up on the self storage managers Facebook group.

• How do you deal with a potentially problematic tenant who is on property all the time and may be up to no good? Should you just raise their rent? Lock them out?
• Should you take reservations? If so, how long should your hold a unit?

We get into all this and more, plus our double recommendation to see "Sound of Freedom" in theaters.

Hosts: Josh Huff and Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Business success comes down to the daily choices you and your team make. What do you prioritize? What's working? What needs to be better? In this rebroadcast of the Gabfocus webinar Optimizing Your Day-to-Day, we'll take a magnifying glass to small tasks that make up managers' and operators' days and see how you can make them better.

Tommy and Melissa will be joined by Denise Bowley (Self Storage Science) and Kevin Mullis (Bob White Self Storage) as they highlight how they handle improving operations:

• How do you prioritize tasks at your business?
• How do you tell when a process isn't working?
• What are examples of ways you've streamlined your operations?
• What operations changes have you made that were mistakes?

Join us as we learn all about streamlining processes and making improvements with your day-to-day tasks, and maybe you'll be able to put some of these tips into action at your own business!

Hosts: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

Guests: Denise Bowley & Kevin Mullis

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