Scaling Self Storage

Fred de Ryckman de Betz has built two London self storage businesses: Attic Self Storage, which he opened in 2008, and HOLD Self Storage, which he launched in 2023. He joins Gavin Shields to talk about brand, people, site selection and pricing, including why he never races to the bottom on price when a competitor opens, and what he changed the second time round.He's candid about the rate increase schedule HOLD runs on existing customers, why discounts need a clear purpose, and why clustering stores in one city beats spreading across five. HOLD's first store in King's Cross was 45% occupied when Fred's team took it on in 2024. They got it to 85%, with 13 competitors within two miles.Also: lease-up strategy, what he learned chairing SSA UK, and why he thinks AI will make good staff more valuable.Scaling Self Storage is hosted by Gavin Shields, co-founder of Stora, the self storage software built for growth. stora.co

Adrian Lee helped start Big Yellow in 1998 and grew it past 100 stores. He joins Gavin Shields to talk about scaling, capital, hiring, and revenue management, including why he thinks a full store is a pricing problem, and what he'd do differently if he started again today.He's blunt about where smaller operators leave money on the table, and about how much of the UK market is still untouched. At the point he retired, 70% of Big Yellow's move-ins had never used self storage before.Also: metro storage, drive-up, and where he'd start if he began again today.Scaling Self Storage is hosted by Gavin Shields, co-founder of Stora, the self storage software built for growth. stora.co

Self Storage Explained is now Scaling Self Storage.Gavin Shields, co-founder and CEO of Stora, explains the change. The show started when most of the operators we worked with were opening their first site. That hasn't changed, but we now also work with operators running 10, 20 and more sites, and the show covers both. Whether you run one site or a hundred, there's always room to grow.First up: Adrian Lee, who helped build Big Yellow from one store in Richmond in 1999 to over 100. Out Thursday 17 September.

What actually makes a container storage business profitable—and why do so many sites struggle to scale?In this episode, we’re joined by Maartens from Universal Storage Containers to break down what separates high-performing container storage operators from the rest. We dig into the real numbers, operational habits, and scaling decisions that matter most if you want long-term profitability.Whether you’re running a single site or planning your next phase of growth, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.In this episode, we cover:- The biggest misconception people have about container storage- What separates profitable vs unprofitable container storage sites- The key metrics operators should track to truly understand profitability- How much operational efficiency impacts margins- When a container storage business is actually ready to scale- Does scaling mean more containers or more sites?- What scalable operators do differently from day one- What usually breaks first when businesses scale too fast- How profitable container storage businesses will operate over the next 3–5 yearsSpecial offer: Universal Storage Containers customers get 50% off their first 3 months of Stora.If you’re serious about building a profitable, scalable container storage business, this one’s for you.👉 Subscribe for more deep-dive conversations on storage operations, growth, and profitability👉 Learn more about Stora: https://stora.co

Uncover the power of self storage tech with Stora’s Gavin Shields and Nokē’s Shalin Sankar.In this episode, we break down how automation, contactless access, and smart tech are transforming the way operators run facilities, and how customers expect to use them.Key highlights:- How Nokē’s contactless entry is changing storage access- What automation really means for self storage operators- Tips for modernising and remotely managing your site- Emerging tech trends shaping the industryIf you’re a self storage operator or tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay ahead in the evolving storage landscape.Subscribe for more self storage insights!For more information about Nokē® Smart Entry, the electronic smart lock & access control system, visit: http://www.januseurope.com/nokeFor more information about Stora's self storage software that helps you grow your revenue and business effortlessly, visit: https://stora.co/