How to Thrive as a Solo Self Storage Operator

Summary

In this episode, we dive into the real, unfiltered life of a one-man band in the self storage world, featuring Roger Canham of Smartbox, who runs multiple unstaffed sites.

From juggling customer calls and handling maintenance, to choosing the right tools and setting personal boundaries, Roger opens up about the day-to-day challenges and rewards of flying solo. He also shares some unexpected stories and valuable lessons learned along the way.

Whether you’re an established operator looking to streamline, or you’re just starting to explore opening your own facility, this episode is packed with honest advice, practical tips, and encouragement from someone who's been there and done it, all without a team.

Key Takeaways

• How to successfully launch and grow a self storage business on your own
• The essential systems and software that make solo operations manageable
• Ways to deliver excellent customer service, even without being on-site
• What to do when things go wrong (and why mistakes are part of the journey)
• Why joining the self storage community (like the SSA) is a game-changer
• One key piece of advice every new operator should hear before getting started