The evolution of the self storage industry has been an interesting one. The industry began simply as a place for people to store personal belongings. The industry then morphed into one that also offered moving services. It changed again when it started offering storage in containers instead of various sized rooms in a facility. [More]

Ask anyone that buys an old self storage facility (or any other previously owned business) what the first thing they plan on doing is and they will likely say that they will be throwing a new coat of paint on the old building to give a new, vibrant look; to make the building look nice. [More]

A lesson that parents often try to get across to their children is that you should treat others the way you want to be treated. When you treat them with respect, they will (or at least should) treat you with the same kind of respect. [More]

For a self storage operator, getting involved in community charity drives can be both rewarding for business and for the community. It can take some planning and time commitment, but the payoff most certainly means more rentals and a sense of satisfaction from helping out one’s community. There are some strategies for working with charities and community groups that can help smooth the planning process and bring the greatest reward. [More]

Some of the biggest names in the storage business, including Extra Space Storage, MiniCo, Storitz, and Mini-Storage Messenger, will be converging in Hawaii this summer to take part in PhoneSmart’s “un-conference.” While enjoying the unbelievable sights and sea of Kohala Coast, attendees will be given a unique opportunity to network with some of the top names in the business while attending custom-designed seminars. [More]

Every small business owner, self storage and otherwise, will tell you that one thing matters above all else when it comes to success in the business world—location, location, location. Picking the right location can make the difference between turning a respectable profit every year and just scraping by. [More]

The City of Portland and the Portland Business Alliance have announced that they are working together to provide storage lockers to Portland’s homeless community. While many efforts to solve the problem of homelessness have focused on providing homeless shelters, in recent years a few policymakers have been turning to storage as a possible bandaid solution. The homeless population in Portland numbers approximately 1,600, and many of Portland's homeless currently carry all their possessions with them at all times in grocery carts or on trailers. [More]

Over the last few months, entrepreneurs all over the world have reported that they see no reason to pass up a business opportunity, or business opportunities, simply because they have no space in which to house a small business. More and more small business owners, especially those who just started a new business or who are running a home business, have chosen to turn to self storage to provide the space they need at an affordable price. Many self storage companies, catering to small businesses and home-based business owners, are now offering more than just space -- they also provide conference rooms, Internet access, and other business-friendly features. [More]

More than 600 customers' belongings are in limbo at Waikiki Self Storage in Honolulu. Early last week, managers phoned customers and asked them to come and collect their belongings as soon as possible, because there was a danger that the company would have to shut down. Hawaii News Now reported that its sources said that the owner owed back rent on the facility.

"There was someone who came in and posted a note on the door," said Waikiki's manager, Jenny Rodrigues. "We were all shocked." Waikiki's corporate office informed reporters that the notice on the door was an eviction notice, and commented that the landlord had raised the rent to an amount that the company could not afford. So, over the weekend of Jan. 16-17, the company asked staff members to clean up and prepare the business to leave the premises. One staff member reported that all the lights were taken from around the walls. Staff began calling tenants and asking them to come in and empty their units. [More]