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Gabfocus Self Storage Podcast

Melissa Huff, Josh Huff, Tommy Nguyen

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Listen in as we gab about the self storage industry and focus in on particular areas. Want to learn more about auctions, operations, management, marketing, best practices, customer service, and more? Interested in what the best in the industry have to say? Melissa Huff and Josh Huff tap into a combined 30+ years of experience on operations and marketing to speak to the issues that concern owners and operators. This is also the place for the monthly Gabfocus webinar rebroadcasts where Melissa ...
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Edited by bestselling anthologist John Joseph Adams, LIGHTSPEED is a Hugo Award-winning, critically-acclaimed digital magazine. In its pages, you'll find science fiction from near-future stories and sociological SF to far-future, star-spanning SF. Plus there's fantasy from epic sword-and-sorcery and contemporary urban tales to magical realism, science-fantasy, and folk tales. Each month, LIGHTSPEED brings you a mix of original short stories and flash fiction featuring a variety of authors, f ...
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Grow your podcast with insights from talented podcasters, entrepreneurs, and industry insiders. Emmy-Nominated TV Journalist & Podcast Coach Christine O'Donnell uses the lessons she's learned after more than a decade in the news business and a few years in marketing to focus specifically on helping independent podcasters grow their shows. This goal of this podcast is to be a resource for growth, inspiration and community. Our guests include Libsyn's Elsie Escobar, Rob Greenlee, Erica Mandy, ...
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In this episode, we're joined by Andrew Sherrard, owner of Reliable Storage in Seattle, to talk all things occupancy—and not just how full your units are, but how well your business is performing overall. In this rebroadcast of the May 29 webinar, we break down the three types of occupancy (yes, there are three!) and how to evaluate what’s actually…
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We talk a lot about amenities in self storage—security cameras, clean units, keypads, gates—but what about you? The manager is one of the most important amenities at a facility, and often one of the most under emphasized. Appearance, attitude, and professionalism can either enhance or hurt your facility’s image. What you wear and what you support d…
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This episode features "The Temporal Displacement of the Graves" by Russell Nichols (©2025 by Russell Nichols) read by Janina Edwards, and "The Price of Manners" by Martin Cahill (©2025 by Martin Cahill) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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AI is transforming the self-storage industry—from smarter security cameras and chatbots to automated rate comparisons and call evaluations. But how much is too much? In this episode, we take a balanced look at the role of artificial intelligence in storage operations and explore where it helps—and where it may be hurting more than helping. We discu…
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This episode features "Shadows on the Pavement" by R. P. Sand (©2025 by R. P. Sand) read by Justine Eyre, "Rthing it Up: An Oral History" by Gene Doucette (©2025 by Gene Doucette) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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In this special on-location episode from Boerne, TX, we're joined by the team from On the Move—Jim, Sherry, CJ, and Stacie—to unpack their biggest takeaways from the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, the industry's largest event. From expert-led education sessions to lively vendor conversations, this episode dives into: Why Good Questions Matter – Ho…
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In this quarterly Legal Chat, self storage attorneys Scott Zucker and Carlos Kaslow tackle the toughest legal challenges operators face in 2025. From military tenants and bankruptcy stays to lean sale objections and law enforcement searches, this conversation dives deep into the real-world scenarios that take storage owners out of the office and in…
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This episode features "TALK: “The Siren Song of the Otherworld Goggles”" by Dominica Phetteplace (©2025 by Dominica Phetteplace) "The Other River" by Jon Lasser (©2025 by Jon Lasser), both read by Alison Belle Bews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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What separates the good from the truly great in self-storage management? In this episode, Melissa and Tommy are joined by Mark Green from The Jenkins Organization to explore what top-performing managers do differently—and how their daily habits, communication, and customer care lead to higher occupancy and better results. Together, they dive into k…
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This episode features "Meditations from the Event Horizon" by Deborah L. Davitt (©2025 by Deborah L. Davitt) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "The Potter, His Daughter, and the Boy with Tribal Marks on his Face" by Oyedotun Damilola Muees (©2025 by Oyedotun Damilola Muees) read by Mirron Willlis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc…
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What does it take to truly master self-storage management? In this episode, we give a preview of our upcoming session at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo on Friday morning, where they’ll break down the essential skills every great manager and owner needs to succeed. We will expand on these four core areas: ✅ Managing Yourself – Building disciplin…
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This episode features "The Price of Miracles" by Nigel Faustino (©2025 by Nigel Faustino) and "Does Harlen Lattner Dream of Infected Sheep? Part II" by Sarah Langan (©2025 by Sarah Langan), both read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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So, you’ve got the land and a feasibility study in hand—now what? In this episode, we walk through the critical next steps before breaking ground on a new self-storage facility. From layout decisions to customer flow to operational planning, this conversation is packed with practical advice for developers and future owners. Topics covered include: …
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This episode features "To Navigate the Night" by Rich Larson (©2025 by Rich Larson) read by Alison Belle Bews, and "Does Harlen Lattner Dream of Infected Sheep? Part I" by Sarah Langan (©2025 by Sarah Langan) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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Fresh off the Self Storage Association (SSA) Spring Conference & Expo in Orlando, we break down key legislative updates and share our top takeaways from the event. New and Pending Legislation – Updates on non-monetary defaults, unsigned leases, and the push to remove outdated newspaper advertising requirements Why Industry Self-Regulation Matters –…
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"Instructions for Good Boys on the Interplanetary Expedition" by Rachael K. Jones (©2025 by Rachael K. Jones) and "The Lexicon of Lethe" by Sunwoo Jeong (©2025 by Sunwoo Jeong) both read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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Five years ago, Gabfest kicked off the Gabfocus webinar series to bring expert insights and real-world strategies to the self-storage industry. Now, in our 70th webinar episode, we’re diving into one of the most important topics for storage operators: How to Dominate Your Local Market. In this special episode, Tommy and Melissa sit down with indust…
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This episode features "Those Who Seek To Embrace The Sun" by Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe (©2025 by Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe) read by Stefan Rudnicki + "Memories of Temperance" by Anya Ow (©2025 by Anya Ow) read by Katharine Chin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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With so many self-storage management software options available, how do you choose the right one for your facility? We unpack the key features and must-haves for 2025, helping you navigate the software landscape to find the best fit for your business. Online Rentals & Payments – How to streamline the tenant experience with electronic signatures, ID…
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Pricing your self-storage units isn’t just about setting a number and hoping for the best—it’s about staying informed and adapting to market conditions. In this episode, we break down why keeping an eye on your local competition, regional trends, and even seasonal factors is essential for optimizing your rates and specials. Topics covered include: …
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This episode features "Pure of Heart" by Jake Kerr (©2025 by Jake Kerr) read by Roxanne Hernandez, and "Dekar Druid and the Infinite Library" by Cadwell Turnbull (©2025 by Cadwell Turnbull) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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A consultant shows you the path you need to walk, but a mentor walks the path with you. In a business as nuanced and unique as self storage, enlisting a mentor can be the difference between a successful business venture and one that never makes it through lease up. As the industry evolves, new investors often face overwhelming decisions about facil…
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This episode features "My Girlfriend Is a Nebula" by David DeGraff (©2025 by David DeGraff) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "What We Don’t Know About Angels" by Kristina Ten (©2025 by Kristina Ten) read by Judy Young. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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In this rebroadcast of our February 20, 2025 webinar, John Chang from Marcus & Millichap provides an in-depth analysis of the self-storage industry's economic landscape in 2025. With inflation stabilizing, interest rates remaining high, and occupancy trends shifting, John breaks down key market forces shaping the industry and what operators should …
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This episode features "Books to Take at the End of the World" by Carolyn Ives Gilman (©2025 by Carolyn Ives Gilman) read by Stefan Rudnicki,, and "Some to Cradle, Some to Eat" by Eugenia Triantafyllou (©2025 by Eugenia Triantafyllou) read by Judy Young. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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Self-storage isn’t just for life transitions anymore—more and more small business owners, gig workers, and entrepreneurs are using storage units to run and grow their businesses. From Etsy sellers and antique dealers to pharmaceutical reps and lawn care companies, these customers have unique needs and can be some of the longest-staying tenants. In …
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This episode features "Standardized Test" by Seoung Kim (©2025 by Seoung Kim) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "It Holds Her in the Palm of One Hand (Part 2)" by Lowry Poletti (©2025 by Lowry Poletti) read by Susan Hanfield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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Today we dive into figuring out your self storage story- the characters, the plot, and the target audience. It's only after those pieces are in place that an effective story can be told, and your business is no different. But that's only half of the journey. Once you've figured out your story, you have to tell it, and often words just aren't enough…
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This episode features "An Omodest Proposal" by Andrew Dana Hudson (©2025 by Andrew Dana Hudson) read by Stefan Rundicki, and "It Holds Her in the Palm of One Hand (Part 1)" by Lowry Poletti (©2025 by Lowry Poletti) read by Susan Hanfield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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We're back for part 2 of the self storage SEO discussion that began on last week's episode. There were so many unanswered questions that needed a response: What if you have multiple locations? Do you use 1 website, 1 Google Profile? How do you get in the Map Pack if your not already? Should my website list every single chain restaurant near my faci…
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What is SEO, why does it matter, and how does it work for self-storage specifically? Today we tackle search engine optimization basics and discuss the impacts of the REITs, AI, and changes to expect in the coming year. Do you need to still be on page 1 of Google? What metrics should you pay attention to? Who and how do you target your ideal custome…
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This episode features "I Eat The Sky For Us" by Vijayalaxmi Samal (©2025 by Vijayalaxmi Samal) read by Janina Edwards, and "Dyson Spheres of the Vaba Cluster" by Filip Hajdar Drnovšek Zorko (©2025 by Filip Hajdar Drnovšek Zorko) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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When is the last time you looked through your self storage operations manual, assuming you have one in place? Is it still fully applicable and relevant? Are you using it to train new employees or is it so out of date it just collects dust on the shelf? Today we talk best practices for optimizing your operations manual. These documents should be reg…
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This episode features "The Exquisite Pull of Relentless Desire" by Will McMahon (©2025 by Will McMahon) read by Caleb Mose, and "Bone And Marrow, Woven Into Song" by Neon Yang (©2025 by Neon Yang) read by Stefan Rudnicki). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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This episode features "A Heap of Petrified Gods" by Adelehin Ijasan (©2025 by Adelehin Ijasan) read by Caleb Mose, and "Tell Them A Story To Teach Them Kindness" by B. Pladek (©2025 by B. Pladek) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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A new year is here and change is in the wind! Is it time to get into TikTok? Do you need to pivot to AI search? Maybe a billboard strategy or having a manager available 24/7 is what you need. As more and more options for doing self storage become available, what do you need to be doing as a business owner or operator? As with most things, the more …
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Welcome to Episode 4 of Legal Chat. This virtual "Power Hour" covers a variety of topics and questions sent in from self storage owners and operators around the country. Today it's all about costs, data protection, and un-signed leases. Is it okay to pass along costs to your tenants? How long should you hold on to your tenants information once they…
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This episode features "Three Birds That Came Out of Grayson Huff and a Bunch More That Fell from the Sky" by David Anaxagoras (©2024 by David Anaxagoras) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Get Hyped!" by Gene Doucette (©2024 by Gene Doucette) read by Roxanne Hernandez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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"The sky is not the limit, demand is the limit for what we can do in self storage." This is just one of the nuggest from our end of the year review. What was your toughest challenge this year? What are the weaknesses you identified in your business? What worked? What didn't? What trends are you expecting in 2025 for self storage? We look back on 20…
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This episode features "Sleeping Beauty and the Restless Realm" by Lincoln Michel (©2024 by Lincoln Michel) read by Mirron Willis, "The Godhood of Ima Day" by Cressida Blake Roe (©2024 by Cressida Blake Roe) read by Roxanne Hernandez, and " What We Plan To Do To You" by Adam-Troy Castro (©2024 by Adam-Troy Castro) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more…
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You're paying hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to get website visitors, walk-in traffic, and phone calls to rent self storage units. But what if you're not there to answer the phone? Too many voicemails and missed calls turn into missed opportunities if you aren't connecting with customers in the moment. But is a call center the right solutio…
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Cameras and gates and wasp spray, oh my! Yes, these are all great ways to keep the trash off your property and to give your security a boost. Security is top of mind for most self storage tenants. It consistently ranks in the top 3 for what is most important to our customers. What security do you need for your facility? Do you really need a gate? W…
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This episodes features "Inside the House of Wisdom" by Tamara Masri (©2024 by Tamara Masri) read by the author, and "Ol' Big Head" by Melissa A. Watkins (©2024 by Melissa A. Watkins) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press
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Happy Thanksgiving! As 2024 begins to wrap, we reflect on what makes us most thankful in the self storage industry. From trade shows to business opportunities to our crazy travel schedule, there's a lot to think back on. Yes, we give several specific shout-outs to vendors and individuals who have impacted us, plus some bonus content about our favor…
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Melissa Stiles from Storage Asset Management brings her expertise managing marketing for over 600 self storage locations to the group as we dive into digital marketing. What tactics work for lease up, large stores, small stores, or stable properties? When is it time to change things up? What should your budget look like? We explore social media, Go…
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