As 2025 comes to a close, what have we learned and what should we be ready for in 2026? In this special year-end Gabfocus LIVE episode, we reflect on the highs and lows of the self storage industry in 2025 with three seasoned professionals.

We break down trends in occupancy, rates, technology, operations, and customer behavior, and we talk honestly about challenges that operators faced—from rate wars to staffing struggles. Our panel shares lessons they've learned (some the hard way), what they tried that didn't work, and what they're already doing to prepare for the new year.

Looking ahead, we discuss what's likely to carry over into 2026 and offer insights on staying resilient, forward-thinking, and people-focused in your self storage business. We wrap things up with a few hot takes—and some exciting Gabfocus updates you won't want to miss.

Watch the YouTube replay- Lessons Learned in 2025

Guests: Jane Sauls (Sauls Commercial Real Estate), Heather McCombs (Spacebox Management), Shannon Charbonneau (XPS Solutions)

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

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

As we wrap up the year, Josh and Melissa close out the podcast season with a forward-looking conversation on setting the right goals for 2026.

In this episode, we focus on the importance of establishing SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—that actually move the needle for self storage operators. Rather than chasing everything at once, we break down three big-picture goals every facility should prioritize in the year ahead.

We discuss why:

• Consistently generating Google reviews strengthens trust and improves visibility

• Raising rates intentionally is critical for long-term profitability

• Finding one focused area of improvement—for yourself, your team, or your operations—can dramatically impact performance

Whether that improvement comes from learning your software better, investing in team education, or moving toward full automation, these goals are practical, achievable, and proven to improve your bottom line.

This is our final regular podcast episode of the year (with one more webinar coming up), and it's designed to help you start 2026 with clarity and confidence.

Plus some holiday focused recommendations for making memories that will last.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Every self storage manager hears objections from customers—but how you respond can make the difference between a lost lead and a new tenant.

In this episode, we into the art of overcoming customer objections with empathy and strategy. Through practical role-playing and real-world examples, we explore some of the most common pushbacks, including:

• "Do I really need tenant insurance?"

• "That price is too high."

• "I don't want to sign up for autopay."

• "Why is my rate going up?"

We unpack each objection to reveal the real concern underneath the question—and share how to respond in a way that builds trust and moves the conversation forward.

Plus some holiday focused recommendations.

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions