11 Apr 2019
Four self storage veterans have launched a subscription-based consulting service for the industry called “Ask the Storage Experts.” The organization was founded by Cynthia Ashby, who launched consulting firm Dynamic Self Storage Solutions in 2017. The team also includes Kevin Leebrick, a Dynamic partner; Magen Smith, founder of Magen Smith CPA LLC; and Matthew Van Horn, co-founder of 3 Mile Domination Self Storage Services. Together, they have a combined 50-plus years of experience in all aspects of self storage operations.
Ask The Storage Experts addresses the resource disparity between larger and smaller operators. Not everyone needs a full-service management company or has a large consulting project. Issues can and do arise frequently. Ask the Storage Experts is designed to give operators access to answers and guidance through an affordable, fixed, monthly or annual investment. This provides small and single location owners a network to expand their support base at an affordable rate without having to expand their staff.
“Many of our clients are owners of one to 10 facilities and do not have large corporate offices with extensive support services. Several are understaffed or even one-person companies that lack the bandwidth or skills needed to accommodate client requests and business demands. This often leads to customer frustration and churn. ‘Ask the Storage Experts’ provides a competitive advantage by leveraging expertise in all areas of the storage industry.”
-Cynthia Ashby, founder, Ask the Storage Experts
Subscribers can choose between a monthly or annual program. The annual rate is $1,200 for facility owners with one to three properties, $2,000 for those with four to six locations, and $2,800 for those with seven to 10 locations. Subscribers will have unlimited access to team members via e-mail. The service is available to subscribers in good standing, with discounts for members of state and national self storage associations.
Topics of expertise include:
Dynamic provides self storage feasibility studies, staff training, due diligence, consulting, third-party-management, market and operational analysis, focused auditing, revenue management, staffing, and more. Ashby has more than 25 years of experience in multiple executive-level positions. Before launching her own firm, she served as vice president of operations for Prime Self Storage.
Leebrick joined the self storage industry in 2010, working his way from store manager to part owner. He’s overseen every aspect of the business for portfolios of various sizes. He’s also consulted for clients including a publicly traded real estate investment trust.
Smith is a former self storage manager turned certified public accountant. Her company helps storage operators understand the financial side of their business. Services include monthly financial management, billpay functions, revenue management and strategy.
Van Horn is co-author of the book “Self-Storage Domination,” co-host of the weekly self storage podcast "3 Mile Domination” and publisher of “Behind the Roll Up Door,” a weekly newsletter dedicated to the storage industry. 3 Mile Domination specializes in self storage management, marketing, feasibility studies and consulting.
