Are your vendors actually doing what you're paying them to do? After a short break to get settled into our new role alongside Haviland Storage Services, Melissa and Josh are back on the podcast addressing a topic that affects every single operator.

We all rely on vendors. Landscaping, software, security, marketing… They're a critical part of running a self storage facility. But here's the question we don't ask often enough: Are you really getting what you're paying for?

In this episode, we dig into how to keep your vendors accountable and make sure they're actually serving your business the way they should.

We cover:

• Knowing your contracts (and what's actually included)
• Scheduling regular demos and check-ins
• Making sure you're using everything you're paying for
• And getting out to trade shows to compare options and stay sharp

One of the best ways to evaluate your current vendors and discover better ones is simply getting in the room with them. That's why our recommendations this week are all about trade shows.

If you're planning your year, here are a few events we recommend:

• Register for the Inside Self-Storage World Expo - Register Here
• Register for the NeSSA Expo in Connecticut using code Lighthouse10 - Register Here
• Register for The Big Ideas in Storage Conference in Texas - Register Here
• Register for MSM's The Show using code LSS2026 - Register Here

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions