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

What do you do when a tenant passes away while renting a storage unit? This was the opening question AI came up with... Hopefully, no one has ever passed away in your office while renting a unit, but dealing with an existing tenant who has died happens more often than you think.

This is one of the most uncomfortable but critical situations self storage operators face—and getting it wrong can come with serious legal consequences.

In this episode, we break down the must-know legal and practical steps operators need to take when a tenant dies. They cover everything from probate considerations to next-of-kin contact, and how to avoid common missteps that could land your business in hot water.

Key topics include:

• Legal obligations when a tenant dies

• Understanding your lien rights in these situations

• Why having a secondary contact in your lease matters

• When to hold off on selling the contents of a unit

• Practical advice on handling the emotional side with surviving family

• Steps you should take before this ever becomes an issue

If you’ve never dealt with this situation before, you probably will. Death is a part of life, and hopefully your business can be a part of the solution rather than adding to the stress.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

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 holding your numbers back. Spoiler: it’s not always your rates.

Here’s what we cover:

• Unit, Area & Economic Occupancy – What they mean and how to track them
• Diagnosing the Problem – Are you getting enough leads? Are you converting them?
• Conversion Wins – How missed calls and poor scheduling may be your biggest leaks
• Smart Rate Strategies – When to raise rates, when to hold, and why copying the REITs might backfire
• Promos & Discounts – When to use them, when not to, and how to measure impact
• Boosting Retention – Why keeping the right tenants matters more than keeping every tenant
• Top Tips – Andrew’s rapid-fire list of what’s cheapest, easiest, and most effective to boost occupancy

Whether your occupancy is dipping or you just want to sharpen your strategy, this episode is packed with insight.

Guest: Andrew Sherrard, with Reliable Storage

Hosts: Tommy Nguyen & Melissa Huff

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