What does the next chapter of self-storage look like?

As my dad always says, “my crystal ball is pretty fuzzy right now.” But I had a great conversation this morning with James McLean about the future of the self-storage industry that I think many of you will find insightful.

One of the best parts of being in this business is learning from people who see the market from different vantage points. James, on the data side, sees how operator priorities are shifting in real time. On the brokerage side, I get to hear directly from owners about how they are adapting on the ground. Together, those perspectives paint a powerful picture of where the industry is headed.

A few takeaways from our discussion:

Resilience defines the best developers. As fewer deals appear to be penciling, adaptability and discipline are proving to be the most valuable skills in a developer's toolkit.

Old-school meets new school. Even in a sector largely unchanged for decades, technology is reshaping operations and decision-making. Those willing to make the change and get ahead of the curve will reap the rewards.

Spotting tomorrow’s markets. Do we return to the fundamentals of job and population growth, or can single catalysts like major employers moving in reliably signal where storage demand will follow? (A better question for James than me)

And perhaps most encouraging: optimism is gradually returning. It feels less like an “if” and more like a “when.”

Conversations like these remind me that while the market is challenging, opportunities are still there for those willing to connect, share perspectives, and think ahead.

I’d love to hear from others: What signals are you watching most closely as you evaluate the future of self-storage?