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In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo challenges Dan Wentzel to confront one of the biggest hidden obstacles investors face: lack of intentional control over their calendar. After reviewing the previous week, it becomes clear that progress isn't just about knowing what actions to take—it's about protecting the time required to execute those actions.
Alex explains why operating without a clear plan is like being a leaf in the wind—reacting to whatever comes your way instead of intentionally directing your week. Together, they unpack the importance of structuring your calendar, planning your work blocks, and protecting the activities that actually move deals forward.
This episode becomes a powerful reminder that building a business isn't only about strategy or knowledge—it's about discipline, time ownership, and committing to the daily actions that create results.
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You'll Learn How To:
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What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[0:00] Why controlling your calendar is essential to success
[1:37] Recap of the Season 2 coaching journey with Dan
[2:30] Why resistance always shows up when you pursue meaningful goals
[3:33] How momentum can disappear when life interrupts your routine
[3:55] Alex challenges Dan to be honest about the past week
[5:10] Why operating without a plan leads to lost time
[7:15] The "leaf in the wind" analogy for unstructured schedules
[10:02] Why intentional planning increases productivity
[13:48] Structuring your calendar around meaningful actions
[17:26] The difference between activity and progress
[20:14] Aligning daily actions with the goal of buying your first storage facility
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Who This Episode Is For:
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Why You Should Listen:
Many investors believe they need more knowledge, more resources, or more opportunities to succeed. In reality, they often just need better control over their time.
This episode highlights how easily momentum can be lost when your calendar isn't aligned with your goals. By becoming more intentional with how you plan and protect your time, you create the space needed for meaningful conversations, deal analysis, and consistent follow-up.
If you've ever felt like your week disappeared without moving you closer to your goals, this conversation will challenge you to take back control of your schedule—and your progress.
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Follow Alex Pardo here:
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Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel have a candid conversation about what happens when life gets in the way of progress. After building momentum with several promising storage opportunities, Dan hits a week where things slow down and the rhythm breaks.
Instead of ignoring it, Alex uses the moment as a coaching opportunity to talk about resilience, mindset, and how successful investors respond when plans get disrupted. They unpack why resistance is inevitable when you commit to a goal, how to remove emotional pressure from the process, and why consistency always matters more than perfection.
The episode also dives into a subtle but powerful mindset shift when speaking with storage owners: approaching conversations with curiosity and service instead of pressure and expectation.
This conversation serves as a real-time case study in what to do when progress stalls — and how to reset quickly so momentum keeps building.
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You'll Learn How To:
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What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[0:00] Why approaching seller calls with curiosity changes everything
[1:11] Expecting resistance whenever you commit to a big goal
[1:43] How life disruptions can derail momentum
[2:09] Turning setbacks into learning opportunities
[3:30] Why guilt and frustration don't help you move forward
[5:12] Resetting your rhythm after losing momentum
[7:48] The mindset shift from "what can I get?" to "how can I help?"
[10:15] Removing pressure from seller conversations
[14:27] Staying committed even when progress slows
[18:40] Why consistency beats perfection in the long run
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Who This Episode Is For:
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Why You Should Listen:
Every investor eventually hits a week where things fall apart.
The difference between those who succeed and those who quit is how they respond to those moments. This episode shows you how to reset quickly, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward without letting frustration derail your progress.
If you're on the path to your first deal and feel like life keeps interrupting your momentum, this conversation will remind you that progress is rarely linear — but persistence always wins.
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Follow Alex Pardo here:
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Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
If episode eight was about creating leverage and increasing deal flow, episode nine is about building the systems that keep deals from slipping through the cracks.
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo continues coaching Dan Wentzel as momentum begins to build. Dan now has multiple legitimate storage opportunities in his pipeline, and the conversation shifts from simply generating leads to managing them effectively.
Alex walks Dan through the importance of having a clear lead intake process, a consistent follow-up system, and a structured way to track offers and key performance indicators. With several potential deals in motion, they break down how to organize opportunities, maintain momentum, and avoid letting promising leads fall apart due to lack of process.
The episode also reinforces one of the biggest lessons of the season so far: repetition creates mastery. Just like athletes train through thousands of reps before game day, investors must repeat the same disciplined actions—calls, offers, follow-ups, and deal analysis—until the process becomes instinctive.
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You'll Learn How To:
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What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[0:00] Dan now has four active storage opportunities in his pipeline
[2:07] Why leads without systems quickly become chaos
[2:29] The importance of tracking offers and key performance indicators
[3:10] Building a structured lead intake process
[6:00] Managing multiple storage opportunities at once
[9:15] Why repetition builds confidence and decision-making speed
[14:22] Using weekly reviews to evaluate progress and performance
[18:10] How to prevent promising deals from slipping through the cracks
[23:40] The value of structured follow-up with storage owners
[31:08] Narrowing seller options to reduce decision fatigue
[32:17] Why repetition leads to instinctive execution
[33:19] Guiding sellers through the process instead of asking permission
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Who This Episode Is For:
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Why You Should Listen:
Finding deals is only half the battle. Without systems, even great opportunities can fall apart.
This episode highlights the transition from hustling for deals to building a process that supports consistent progress. By creating simple systems for tracking leads, offers, and follow-ups, investors can stay organized, move faster, and increase the likelihood of turning opportunities into actual acquisitions.
If you're starting to generate momentum but feel like things could slip through the cracks, this episode will help you build the structure needed to keep moving forward.
Follow Alex Pardo here:
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Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
If episode seven was about converting conversations into contracts, episode eight is about increasing deal flow — and knowing how to analyze opportunity when it hits your desk.
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel break down what happens when consistent action finally compounds. After months of hesitation, Dan hires a virtual assistant — and within two weeks, four legitimate storage opportunities land in his pipeline.
Alex and Dan unpack why hiring a VA took eight months, what mindset blocks were holding Dan back, and how leveraging the Storage Wins community made the transition easier. From there, they dive deep into one specific 36,000 square foot facility, walking through back-of-the-napkin underwriting, cap rate analysis, seller motivation, and how to think about value-add potential the right way.
This episode isn't just about hiring help. It's about understanding leverage — leverage of time, leverage of community, leverage of terms, and leverage of upside inside the deal itself.
You'll Learn How To:
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What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[0:00] Why cash flow in storage "depends"
[1:08] The Season 2 mission: closing before Thanksgiving 2025
[3:02] Hiring a VA after eight months of hesitation
[6:42] The fear of training and financial commitment
[7:30] Why $70 per week created massive leverage
[9:01] Leveraging community to solve hiring challenges
[12:42] Four new facilities added to the pipeline in two weeks
[13:40] Why mom-and-pop operators create opportunity
[15:36] Reducing expenses vs. increasing revenue
[18:40] Explaining debt service coverage ratio to sellers
[21:38] Breaking down a 36,000 sq ft deal opportunity
[34:58] Back-of-the-napkin NOI calculation using a 35% expense ratio
[35:54] Applying an 8 cap to determine baseline valuation
[36:48] Spotting 50% rate gaps vs. competitors
[39:28] Matching a $2M offer with better positioning
[41:52] "Your price, my terms" explained
[45:08] Why incentivizing your VA accelerates growth
Who This Episode Is For:
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Why You Should Listen:
Momentum changes everything.
Dan didn't suddenly get lucky — he created leverage. By hiring a VA and leaning into community support, he multiplied his outreach and surfaced four serious opportunities in two weeks.
This episode shows you exactly how to think through a real deal: how to estimate NOI, apply cap rates, spot value-add potential, and structure terms that increase purchasing power. If you've ever wondered how experienced investors quickly evaluate deals while staying disciplined on risk, this is a real-time masterclass.
And perhaps most importantly — it proves that sometimes the biggest breakthrough isn't a signed contract. It's the decision to stop doing everything yourself.
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Follow Alex Pardo here:
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Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo coaches Dan Wentzel through one of the most important skills in self-storage investing: converting conversations into contracts. With a healthy pipeline finally in place, the focus shifts from prospecting to persuasion—without being pushy.
Alex breaks down how to uncover seller motivation, ask better timeline questions, create urgency the right way, and position yourself as the preferred buyer instead of just another offer. The episode features a live cold-call role play between Alex and Dan, followed by a detailed breakdown of what worked, what could improve, and how subtle adjustments can dramatically increase closing odds.
This episode isn't about scripts—it's about psychology, positioning, and controlling the conversation through questions.
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You'll Learn How To:
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What You'll Learn in This Episode:
• [0:00] Why you should almost always make an offer
• [3:40] Converting conversations into contracts and cash
• [5:00] Three-year follow-up paying off in real opportunities
• [6:05] Becoming a welcome guest—not an annoying pest
• [9:00] Why relationships outlast transactions
• [14:12] The power of asking about timeline early
• [17:44] When NOT to put an offer in writing
• [18:27] Building urgency without pressure
• [21:33] Why certainty often beats the highest offer
• [22:14] Leveraging expiration dates the right way
• [24:19] Live cold-call role play begins
• [41:00] Call breakdown: what Dan did well
• [48:00] Missed opportunities inside seller language
• [52:00] Why industry jargon can kill deals
• [56:00] The hidden leverage in family decision dynamics
• [59:00] Why collecting the seller's email matters
• [1:00:30] The referral question most investors forget
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Who This Episode Is For:
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Why You Should Listen:
Most deals aren't lost because of bad underwriting—they're lost because of weak conversations.
This episode shows you how to control the frame, ask the right questions, and build positioning that makes sellers want to work with you. If you've ever felt like calls "go fine" but don't turn into contracts, this breakdown will show you exactly where the leverage lives.
If you want to become the buyer sellers trust—not just another number—this episode is essential listening.
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Follow Alex Pardo here:
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Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo works with Dan Wentzel on live deal analysis—breaking down a real storage opportunity step by step. Together, they walk through how to evaluate a market, identify unsophisticated competition, spot pricing inefficiencies, and determine whether a facility has true upside or hidden risk.
This episode pulls back the curtain on how experienced operators think when they're underwriting deals. It's less about spreadsheets and more about pattern recognition—understanding markets, competitors, and operator behavior so you can make confident offers without needing perfect information.
You'll Learn How To:
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[1:28] Recap of the Season 2 journey and why accountability matters
[3:05] Why progress creates confidence—and confidence fuels action
[5:34] Back-of-the-napkin analysis using square footage and market rents
[6:58] Why offer volume matters more than perfect underwriting
[9:03] How trust and rapport unlock seller information
[13:01] Momentum update: increased offers and underwriting speed
[17:35] Why teaching what you're learning accelerates mastery
[21:17] Building a storage deal pipeline that doesn't rely on luck
[23:15] Why follow-up—not first contact—wins most deals
[29:15] Live deal overview: secondary market, size, and price range
[31:44] Spotting unsophisticated operators through online presence
[35:05] Using Google Maps, reviews, and websites to read a market
[37:56] Understanding rate gaps and competitive positioning
[39:20] How competitor pricing can reveal hidden opportunities
[43:09] Making offers the right way—with explanation and context
[45:16] Why buyer credibility matters with brokers and wholesalers
[50:31] Learn → execute → tweak: the real framework for progress
[51:42] The next challenge: increasing offer volume to six per week
Who This Episode Is For:
Why You Should Listen:
Most deals aren't lost because of bad math—they're lost because investors don't know how to read a market. This episode shows you how to think like an operator, spot opportunity where others don't, and make informed offers without waiting for perfect data.
If you've ever wondered "How do I know if this deal is actually good?"—this episode walks you through the answer in real time.
Follow Alex Pardo here:
Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo conducts a performance debrief with Dan Wentzel, unpacking what happens when momentum slows—not because of laziness, but because of real-life responsibilities, distractions, and competing priorities. Together, they examine missed KPIs, evaluate what actually caused the slowdown, and build a game plan for staying consistent even during chaotic weeks.
This episode also introduces one of the most practical tools so far: a simple back-of-the-napkin valuation method that allows Dan (and listeners) to make offers even when sellers won't share revenue numbers. The goal is simple—make sure meaningful conversations always lead to offers.
You'll Learn How To:
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[0:00] Why this season is built around real-time accountability
[3:28] Why you can't control outcomes—but you can control inputs
[6:15] Evaluating missed KPIs without self-sabotage
[8:22] Expecting resistance once you commit to a goal
[11:26] How distractions compound when there's no game plan
[14:11] Are you constantly "putting out fires"—or starting them?
[19:16] What actually qualifies as a meaningful conversation
[21:07] Progress check: offers are increasing—and why that matters
[22:00] Why every meaningful conversation should lead to an offer
[24:40] Back-of-the-napkin valuation using square footage and market rates
[29:10] Why underwriting conservatively builds confidence
[35:44] How to estimate NOI without seller-provided revenue
[38:53] Giving sellers a reason to share information
[41:34] Why "lazy" can be smart when it comes to deal analysis
[58:26] Weekly commitments and how to simplify execution
Who This Episode Is For:
Why You Should Listen:
Momentum isn't built by perfect weeks—it's built by recovering quickly from imperfect ones. This episode teaches you how to stay in the game when life throws curveballs, how to evaluate progress honestly, and how to keep offers moving even when information is incomplete.
If you've ever felt stuck because conditions weren't "ideal," this episode shows you how to keep going anyway.
Follow Alex Pardo here:
Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/
Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15
Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25
Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo
Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/
Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo works with Dan Wentzel to confront two of the biggest silent killers of progress: over-preparation and inefficiency. What starts as a check-in on wins and challenges quickly turns into a deep dive on mindset resistance, wasted time, and why "getting ready" often becomes the reason offers never get sent.
Alex challenges Dan to stop treating seller calls like exams, start having real human conversations, and simplify the process of getting offers out the door. This episode is a blend of mindset reset and tactical clarity—designed to help action-takers stop overthinking and start executing.
You'll Learn How To:
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[1:16] Why this season is built on real-time accountability
[4:37] The mindset voice that tells you to quit—and how to shut it down
[9:41] Why unmet expectations fuel doubt and hesitation
[13:36] Massive imperfect action vs. waiting for certainty
[19:18] "Data, not drama": why KPIs matter more than feelings
[23:13] The four acquisition KPIs Dan must track weekly
[29:15] How over-preparing for calls is costing deals
[32:07] The only information you truly need to make an offer
[34:39] Why counting units online is a waste of time
[37:47] Making conservative offers without killing opportunity
[45:09] Simplifying the process to increase offers and conversations
[50:28] Structuring the day for efficiency instead of burnout
[55:44] Dan's commitment going forward
Who This Episode Is For:
Why You Should Listen:
Most people don't fail in self-storage because they lack knowledge—they fail because they create friction where none is required. This episode shows how overthinking, inefficiency, and poor time use quietly stall progress.
If you've ever said, "I just need to prepare a little more before I act," this episode will help you recognize the trap—and get out of it.
Follow Alex Pardo here:
Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo gets extremely tactical with Dan Wentzel, laying out what he calls the Daily Storage Playbook. This is where the journey moves from clarity into consistent execution—daily actions, weekly rhythms, and non-negotiables that turn intention into momentum.
There's no magic here. No shortcuts. Just a clear, repeatable process that—when done consistently—creates opportunities, relationships, and eventually deals. This episode is designed to eliminate confusion and replace it with structure, discipline, and forward motion.
You'll Learn How To:
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[2:15] Why clarity without a plan still leads to failure
[3:25] Introducing the "Daily Storage Playbook"
[6:58] Why deals don't appear—you earn them through reps
[8:27] The danger of failing to plan and how it kills efficiency
[9:06] Why progress—not results—is the real driver of happiness
[10:19] Defining 3–5 daily non-negotiables for your storage business
[11:21] How to measure success when outcomes are out of your control
[50:57] The power of five meaningful conversations per day
[52:23] What 100 meaningful conversations in 30 days can create
[53:13] Why most people want the finish line—but not the work
Who This Episode Is For:
Why You Should Listen:
Most people don't fail because they lack knowledge—they fail because they lack structure. This episode removes ambiguity and gives you a simple, repeatable framework for showing up every day in your storage business.
If you've ever asked, "What should I actually be doing right now?"—this episode answers that question.
Follow Alex Pardo here:
Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo shifts the focus from mindset to mechanics—helping Dan Wentzel move from belief to clarity. Together, they define Dan's freedom number, break down what he actually wants self-storage to do for his family, and start building the buy box that will guide every decision moving forward.
This is where vague goals get replaced with real numbers. Where "someday" turns into a deadline. And where most aspiring investors realize the thing holding them back isn't opportunity—it's clarity.
You'll Learn How To:
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
[0:00] Introduction
[3:25] Why Season 2 shifts from mindset to mechanics
[6:01] How confidence erodes when offers don't turn into deals
[10:14] The critical question: what do you want self-storage to do for you?
[12:08] Cash flow vs. equity—and why most people confuse the two
[20:45] The wake-up call: not knowing your numbers is a problem
[23:49] Defining the $25,000/month freedom number
[30:29] How to build a buy box that actually filters deals
[37:40] Why lack of clarity leads to burnout and quitting
[41:15] Facility size, markets, and why "bigger isn't always better"
[54:07] Active vs. passive investing—and choosing the right role
Who This Episode Is For:
Why You Should Listen:
Most investors don't fail because of lack of effort—they fail because they never define what they're aiming for. This episode forces clarity around money, lifestyle, goals, and deal criteria so every future action has direction.
If you've ever said "I just want financial freedom" without knowing what that actually means in dollars, this episode will change how you think—and how you move.
Follow Alex Pardo here:
Have conversations with at least three active storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/
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