Storage Wins

Alex Pardo
  • 5.0 (327)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

What if you could finally escape the grind, quit your job, and build real wealth? Not by flipping more houses or managing tenants, but by owning a self-storage business that creates real freedom. Imagine waking up knowing you're in control: your business is running, your income is steady, and your time is finally yours. That's what Storage Wins is all about. If you're tired of trading dollars for hours, being burnt out from chasing deals that create more work, and are ready for a step-by-step system to buy your first self-storage facility, even if you don't have tons of time, money, or years of experience...this podcast is for you. Most real estate investors and employees feel stuck. Maybe you're grinding away at a nine-to-five that drains you or hustling in a single-family real estate business that leaves you stressed and overwhelmed. You dream of passive income and cash flow, but every solution you try just adds more chaos to your life. The truth is, you don't need to manage dozens of properties, fix broken toilets, or put up with nightmare tenants. There is a smarter, more scalable way. The problem isn't that self-storage is out of reach. Most people are overwhelmed by conflicting advice, all the moving pieces, and the myth that you need a ton of money or years of experience to get started. You end up overthinking, burning out, or worst of all, doing nothing and watching your dreams slip away. Other people are making it work and you wonder, why not me? What am I missing? The answer is clarity, a proven plan, and a supportive community. Imagine this: You have a clear roadmap to buy your first self-storage facility in the next six to twelve months, even if you've never done a real estate deal before. You know what to look for, how to find off-market deals, raise capital, and structure acquisitions that build wealth. You're part of a group that values simplicity, automation, and systems that make business more profitable. You are making progress, building cash flow, and finally owning your time. Hosted by Alex Pardo, real estate investor, coach, and former host of The Flip Empire Show, Storage Wins is your weekly guide to building a self-storage business that serves your life. Each episode brings you practical insights from Alex and top experts, as well as real stories from students and everyday investors. We go deep on what works: choosing the right market, negotiating deals, automating operations, avoiding rookie mistakes, and scaling up for real financial freedom. This show is about reclaiming your time and building a business that works for you. If you're sick of the rat race, exhausted by the endless hustle, and are ready to create freedom, wealth, and legacy, this is your show. You don't have to sacrifice your family, faith, or sanity to succeed. You just need a plan, one good deal, and the belief that freedom is closer than you think. If you love shows like AJ Osbourne's Self Storage Income, Self Storage Investing with Scott Meyers, The Storage Investor Show, or the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast, Storage Wins is for you. The Storage Wins community is for people who are done settling for less. Whether you're a burned-out entrepreneur, a frustrated employee, or a real estate investor tired of spinning your wheels, you belong here. Subscribe and start your journey to cash flow, financial freedom, and a business that gives you your life back. Disclaimer: The author, publishers, contributors and creators of this material are not responsible in any manner for any potential or actual loss resulting in the use of the information presented. The content of this publication is for informational purposes. No promise or guarantee of income or results is implied or suggested.

  1. 2d ago

    S3E6: 5 Things to Look For in a Self-Storage Market Before You Buy

    A great operator in a bad market is doomed to fail. An average operator in a great market will thrive. In this episode, host Alex Pardo explains why choosing the right market can make or break your self-storage deal, and why you can fix a facility's operations but never its market. Alex shares the five things he looks for in every storage market, the hard lessons from owning his first facility in one of the toughest markets in the country, the simple Google Maps test he uses to check supply and demand, and how one phone call saved a Storage Wins member from a really bad deal. You'll Learn How To: Tell a good storage market from one that will sink a great deal Set population guardrails for your buy box without boxing yourself in Use growth, renter population, and housing starts to spot demand Read median household income as a signal for delinquencies Avoid competing with the REITs Test supply and demand in minutes with Google Maps and facility websites Protect yourself from new competition by checking building permits Choose between primary, secondary, tertiary, and rural markets What You'll Learn in This Episode [0:00] A great operator in a bad market is doomed to fail [0:42] Why your market matters more than the deal itself [1:13] Crime is crime: what a great operator can and can't fix [1:28] Alex's first deal: one of the toughest markets in the country [2:22] Battle scars, break-ins, and why he got into storage in the first place [2:57] #1 Population: the 8,000 to 150,000 sweet spot [3:33] Why your buy box needs guardrails, not a tight corner [4:40] #2 Population growth: jobs, renters, and housing starts [5:22] Where to find demographics for free (census.gov, AI, Google) [5:41] #3 Median household income: $50K minimum, $60K+ ideal [5:58] What a $28K median income did to Alex's delinquencies [6:41] Why storage tenants stay 18 to 24 months [6:56] #4 Avoid the REITs: Public Storage, Extra Space, CubeSmart [8:01] #5 Supply and demand (the one that could have been #1) [8:51] The Google Maps 'Rent Now' vs. 'Waiting List' test [10:36] How a call to the building department saved a member from a bad deal [11:34] TractIQ, square feet per capita, and the supply index [12:24] Primary and secondary markets: why Alex skips Miami [13:40] Tertiary markets: Alex's favorite [13:57] Rural markets: the risks and Alex's deal breakers [15:01] Free buy box blueprint at storagewins.com/buybox [15:23] Recap: the 5-part market framework [16:33] Treat every unit size as its own product [17:30] Draw a 1 to 2 hour radius around where you live [17:47] Meet owners in person, ask questions, and plant seeds [19:07] Feeling stuck? How to get help Who This Episode Is For: Aspiring storage investors deciding where to buy their first facility Anyone who has found a deal that looks great on a spreadsheet Investors building or refining their buy box Anyone wondering whether small towns and rural markets are worth it Investors who want fewer operational headaches and more cash flow Why You Should Listen: The returns can look great on a spreadsheet, but running a facility in a rough market is a completely different animal. Alex gives you the exact framework he uses so you can buy in markets where the numbers hold up in real life. Get the market right and the rest of the business gets a whole lot easier. Follow Alex Pardo here: Storage Wins — storagewins.com Book a call with Alex — storagewins.com/call Free Buy Box Blueprint — storagewins.com/buybox Follow Alex on Facebook Follow Alex on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Ready to find the right market and buy your first storage facility? Head to storagewins.com/call and let's hop on a short ten-minute call to see how we can help.

    S3E6: 5 Things to Look For in a Self-Storage Market Before You Buy

  2. Nov 2

    S3E5: 3 Ways to Find Self-Storage Deals When Everything Feels Overpriced

    "There are no good deals out there. Everything is overpriced." If you've said that about self-storage, this episode is for you. Host Alex Pardo breaks down how to build a deal flow machine so opportunities come to you instead of you chasing them. Alex walks through the three ways to find storage deals: off-market, on-market, and your network. He shares exactly how he finds mom-and-pop owners, what to say when you call, how he uncovers broker pocket listings, the systems he uses to follow up automatically, and how two community members just closed a deal that was found, funded, and closed inside the Storage Wins community. You'll Learn How To: Build a deal flow machine so opportunities come to you Choose one primary channel to focus on instead of chasing everything Find and approach mom-and-pop owners with cold calls, Google Maps, and Facebook Marketplace Spot the signs of a mom-and-pop operator Uncover broker pocket listings by targeting smaller brokerages with your buy box Set up automated follow-up systems that keep you top of mind with brokers and owners Use your community and network to find deals and capital What You'll Learn in This Episode [0:00] 48 hours ago: a deal found, funded, and closed by Storage Wins community members [0:44] The most common objection: there are no good storage deals [1:10] Create deals instead of chasing them [1:14] The three ways to find storage deals: off-market, on-market, and your network [1:34] Pick one primary channel and stop chasing rabbits [2:06] Off-market deals: one of Alex's favorite ways to create opportunities [2:45] Myth: off-market deals can still come from brokers (pocket listings) [3:03] Finding mom-and-pop owners who would consider selling [3:44] Cold calling and the Google Maps "Nearby" search [4:31] Signs it's a mom-and-pop: outdated websites, no online rentals, @gmail and @aol emails [5:22] What to say on the call: be honest, direct vs. indirect approach [6:27] Using virtual assistants to cold call and virtually drive for dollars [6:59] A below-the-radar strategy: Facebook Marketplace storage listings [7:34] Finding broker pocket listings on Crexi and LoopNet through smaller brokerages [8:21] Share your buy box and build long-term broker relationships [9:22] Direct mail: how Alex bought three facilities [9:44] Strategy #2: on-market deals [10:13] Be relationally focused, not transactionally focused [10:29] Automated email follow-up systems for brokers and owners [11:29] Strategy #3 (Alex's favorite): your community and network [11:39] How Alex's first deal, a 43,000 sq ft facility, came from sharing his buy box [12:15] Found, funded, and closed by Storage Wins community members [12:40] Why community and mentorship are a game-changer [13:49] Massive imperfect action: make the offer even when you're not comfortable Who This Episode Is For: Aspiring storage investors who believe there are no good deals out there Anyone unsure where to start looking for their first facility Investors spreading themselves too thin across too many strategies People without much capital who have time and drive Anyone who wants deals coming to them instead of chasing them Why You Should Listen: Good deals are still out there, but they rarely fall into your lap. Alex shows the exact channels and conversations that have led to his own acquisitions, from a pocket listing to three direct mail deals to his very first facility. Pick one channel, start the conversations, and build relationships. Over time, the deals start coming to you. Follow Alex Pardo here: Storage Wins — storagewins.com Book a call with Alex — storagewins.com/call Follow Alex on Facebook Follow Alex on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Ready to build your own deal flow machine? Head to storagewins.com/call and let's hop on a short ten-minute call to see how we can help.

    S3E5: 3 Ways to Find Self-Storage Deals When Everything Feels Overpriced

  3. Oct 26

    S3E4: What's Really Stopping You From Buying Your First Storage Facility

    If you want to buy your first self-storage facility but feel stuck with more questions than answers, this episode is for you. Host Alex Pardo breaks down what really separates the people who win in storage from the ones who stay on the sidelines. Alex shares how two Storage Wins clients, Mario and Catherine, just closed on a facility they didn't find and didn't have the money for, because they were in the right room with the right people. He covers why you have to borrow someone else's confidence, lean into what's uncomfortable, put in the reps, and stop letting excuses and other people's opinions keep you where you are. You'll Learn How To: Borrow someone else's confidence until you build your own Use community and proximity to find deals and capital you don't have yet Lean into the uncomfortable parts of the business, like underwriting Put in the reps by analyzing deals with other investors Focus on steps one and two instead of overthinking the whole journey Build relationships by giving first, without expecting anything in return Manage priorities, not time, so your future self is proud of today's actions What You'll Learn in This Episode [0:00] "They didn't find the deal, they didn't have the money for the deal... but yet they just closed on the deal." [0:39] Stuck, confused, overwhelmed: the questions every new storage investor asks [1:50] What's really holding you back from committing? [2:46] Step one: borrow someone else's confidence in your ability to do this [3:00] Mario and Catherine: closing a deal they didn't find or fund [3:46] Why proximity is everything [4:22] Catherine's advice: lean into what's uncomfortable [5:26] Putting in the reps: practicing underwriting with other members [5:54] "Borrow my confidence. My belief is greater than your belief." [6:48] Alex's start in late 2020 with no money for a facility [7:02] Self-sabotage and comparison: the thief of joy [7:57] Find your tribe: why going it alone is significantly harder [8:20] Don't worry about steps five through eight, just figure out steps one and two [8:36] Relationships are the backbone of this business: be a go-giver [9:09] Excuses vs. regret: play the movie of your life forward [10:07] "People's thoughts won't pay your bills, so go for it" [10:58] Hard work vs. smart work, and why AI can't do the reps for you [11:36] Priority management, not time management [12:30] No guarantees, except that doing nothing guarantees you won't win [13:00] What every first-time storage buyer in the community has in common Who This Episode Is For: Aspiring storage investors who feel stuck, confused, or overwhelmed Anyone waiting to feel 'ready' or confident before taking action People worried about not having the money, the deal, or the experience Investors trying to do it alone without a network Anyone who keeps finding reasons why now isn't the right time Why You Should Listen: Confidence doesn't come before action. It comes from it. Alex shows why deciding, committing, and surrounding yourself with the right people opens doors that wouldn't exist otherwise, with real examples from investors who have done it. There's no easy button and no guarantee, except that doing nothing guarantees you won't win. Play the movie of your life forward and decide how you want the story to end. Follow Alex Pardo here: Storage Wins — storagewins.com Book a call with Alex — storagewins.com/call Follow Alex on Facebook Follow Alex on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Proximity is everything. If you're ready to buy your first storage facility with the right people in your corner, head to storagewins.com/call and let's hop on a short ten-minute call to see how we can help.

    S3E4: What's Really Stopping You From Buying Your First Storage Facility

  4. Oct 19

    S3E3: Why He Traded 21 Apartments for Self-Storage (And Never Lets a Deal Go)

    Storage Wins community member Brian Murdock built a portfolio of 100+ apartment doors before he found self-storage almost by accident. In this conversation, host Alex Pardo and Brian break down why Brian is shifting from multifamily to storage, and how he landed each of his facilities: one phone call, a 1031 exchange out of 21 apartments into a deal his assistant found by cold calling, and a seller he followed up with for over two years and sent three LOIs before closing. They also dig into the mindset behind it: vision boards, burning desire, fear of failure as fuel, and why it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be consistent. If you've been sitting on the sidelines, Brian's story shows that simple, persistent action is what gets deals done. You'll Learn How To: Compare the real expense ratios of multifamily and self-storage Find off-market storage deals with simple phone calls and consistent follow-up Use the LMAO formula (List building, Meaningful conversations, Analyze deals, Offers) to stay consistent Put someone on your team on the phones to call storage owners Use a 1031 exchange to move out of apartments and into self-storage Stay with a deal for years (and multiple LOIs) until the seller is ready Set a clear goal and a freedom number so you know what you're working toward What You'll Learn in This Episode [0:00] Brian Murdock: "I'm gonna buy that facility. They just don't know it yet." [0:41] Meet Brian Murdock, Storage Wins community member and multifamily investor turned storage owner [1:43] How he got into self-storage by accident in 2021 [3:18] Multifamily vs. self-storage: 60 to 65% expenses vs. about 25% [4:54] How do you actually get started? Consistent, goal-driven action [5:21] Vision boards, written goals, and why they drive action [6:16] Progress, not perfection: it doesn't have to be perfect, it has to be consistent [7:30] The LMAO formula and putting an assistant on the phones with owners [9:01] Why Q4 is one of the best times to reach storage owners [9:53] The Power of One More: one more call, one more deal analyzed, one more offer [11:11] Deal #1: one phone call to the owner [11:39] Deal #2: a 1031 exchange out of 21 apartments, found by cold calling a list [13:22] Deal #3: two-plus years of follow-up and three LOIs [14:43] Progress breeds momentum, momentum breeds confidence [16:17] Complexity fails, simplicity scales: pick one or two marketing channels [17:38] Writing the check for accountability and burning the ships [20:09] Fear of failure as a driver, and following up five, six, seven times or more [23:09] "I've already made the sale in my head" [23:52] Thoughts lead to feelings, feelings to actions, actions to results [25:56] Burning desire, affirmations, and wanting it like your survival depends on it [27:52] Pleasure vs. pain: what really motivates you [29:43] You don't have to love the thing, but you have to love why you do it [30:18] "I don't want to own the storage. I want to own my life." [31:31] Buy Back Your Time, and storage as the vehicle to own your time [34:33] Faith and family first: identity beyond the business [35:36] Anyone can do this if they commit and decide [37:21] Steel boxes, fewer headaches: why storage is an overlooked gem [38:29] Defining your freedom number: $10K to $20K a month [41:11] How to connect with Brian Who This Episode Is For: Multifamily investors tired of rising expenses and tenant headaches Aspiring storage investors who haven't taken action yet Anyone who struggles with consistency or follow-up Investors looking for small, mom-and-pop facilities in rural or tertiary markets Anyone who wants a business that gives them back their time Why You Should Listen: Nothing Brian shares is fancy. No complicated funnels or the latest marketing trick, just picking up the phone, having meaningful conversations, and following up longer than everyone else. That's exactly why it works, and why anyone willing to commit can do the same. Alex and Brian also go beyond the deals to the "why" behind them. Storage isn't the goal, it's the vehicle. What you really want to own is your time, your freedom, and your life. Connect with Brian Murdock: Brian Murdock on Facebook — facebook.com/brian.murdock.9 Follow Alex Pardo here: Storage Wins — storagewins.com Book a call with Alex — storagewins.com/call Follow Alex on Facebook Follow Alex on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be consistent. If you're ready to buy your first storage facility with the right people in your corner, head to storagewins.com/call and let's hop on a short ten-minute call to see how we can help.

    S3E3: Why He Traded 21 Apartments for Self-Storage (And Never Lets a Deal Go)

  5. Oct 12

    S3E2: Don't Overcomplicate Your First Storage Deal

    How do you actually get started in self-storage and buy your first facility? Inspired by a conversation with a brand-new member of the Storage Wins coaching community, host Alex Pardo shares the advice he gives every new investor who feels overwhelmed: do not overcomplicate this business. Alex explains why storage isn't truly passive at first (and how he ran an 838-unit portfolio on one to two hours a week once it was stabilized), why money isn't the real obstacle, and how to choose between on-market and off-market deals. He also walks through his LMAO framework for building a consistent deal pipeline. If you've been thinking about self-storage but haven't taken the first step, this episode gives you a simple roadmap to start. You'll Learn How To: Stop overcomplicating self-storage and break it into simple, repeatable steps Understand why storage isn't passive at first, and how it becomes semi-passive once stabilized Fund deals with other people's money instead of your own Choose between on-market and off-market deals, and commit to one marketing channel Build a loose but clear buy box to guide your search Use the LMAO framework: List building, Meaningful conversations, Analyze deals, Offers Screen a deal in 60 seconds before you spend more time on it Take action first so the confidence follows What You'll Learn in This Episode [0:00] Storage isn't passive, and why that's not a bad thing [0:43] How do you actually buy your first storage facility? [0:56] The Storage Wins roadmap: deal flow machine, deal filter system, and the three phases of deal discovery, fearless funding, and winning the deal [2:11] First and foremost: do not overcomplicate it [2:30] The controversial truth your guru doesn't want you to know [3:00] 838 units, 104,000 square feet, and one to two hours a week [3:22] You don't need 40 hours a week or hundreds of thousands of dollars [3:54] Why money isn't the obstacle. It's a knowledge gap [4:08] Running facilities remotely with the unmanned model [4:51] How Alex explained the storage business to his 11-year-old daughter [5:10] On-market deals: brokers, Crexi, and LoopNet [6:03] On-market or off-market? Picking your focus [6:52] The biggest mistake: running too many marketing strategies at once [7:42] Decide and commit: do something your future self will thank you for [8:15] Spend 80 to 90% of your time on deal discovery and build your buy box [9:05] We don't find deals, we create deals [9:50] The LMAO framework: List building [9:59] Meaningful conversations: connect with five storage owners or brokers every day [11:02] Analyze deals: the 60-second test [11:49] Offers: send multiple every single week [11:54] Recap: stop making excuses and start with a decision [12:13] Why a mentor, coach, and community make all the difference [13:04] You learn more by doing. Speed wins deals [13:39] Act first, then confidence follows: be, do, have Who This Episode Is For: Aspiring investors who want to buy their first storage facility Anyone who feels stuck, confused, or overwhelmed about where to start Investors who think they need a lot of their own money or a facility in their backyard New investors trying too many marketing strategies at once Anyone ready to stop consuming information and start taking action Why You Should Listen: Most people who want to get into self-storage never buy a facility. Usually it isn't because the business is too hard. They get lost in excuses, information overload, and too many strategies at once. Alex cuts through that and lays out exactly what to focus on first. The core lesson is simple: decide and commit, pick one lane, and get your reps in. Build your list, have meaningful conversations, analyze deals every day, and make offers every week. The confidence comes from doing the work, not the other way around. Follow Alex Pardo here: Storage Wins — storagewins.com Book a call with Alex — storagewins.com/call Follow Alex on Facebook Follow Alex on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Stop thinking and start doing. Pick one lane, build your list, and start making offers. If you're serious about buying your first storage facility with the right people in your corner, head to storagewins.com/call and let's hop on a short ten-minute call to see how we can help.

    S3E2: Don't Overcomplicate Your First Storage Deal

  6. Oct 5

    S3E1: The Overpriced Seller Is Your Best Lead

    Season three of Storage Wins kicks off with the lead most investors throw away: the overpriced seller. When a member of the Storage Wins coaching community, Carolina, asked what to do with a significantly overpriced for-sale-by-owner storage lead she sourced herself, the community lit up with answers from seasoned owner-operators and first-time buyers alike. In this episode, host Alex Pardo breaks down every angle from that conversation and shares the one answer nobody gave. Alex walks through how to talk numbers without debating the seller, why the bank (not you) should be the bad guy, how to explain the real expense ratio of a professionally run facility, and what to do when the seller still won't budge. If your pipeline is full of owners asking a million two for a facility worth seven or eight hundred thousand, this episode will change how you look at every one of them. You'll Learn How To: Reframe overpriced sellers as opportunities instead of dead leads Use the debt service coverage ratio to let the math, not your opinion, set the price Make it you and the seller versus the bank instead of you versus the seller Explain why your expenses will be higher than a mom-and-pop owner's without insulting them Handle the seller who won't budge on price by shifting the conversation to terms Use the "If I could pay you X, would you consider taking payments over time?" framework Build goodwill into a deal by keeping the seller involved after closing Move with speed and uncover the unknowns during due diligence What You'll Learn in This Episode [0:00] Why the overpriced seller is the best lead in your pipeline [0:46] Carolina's question: five options for a significantly overpriced FSBO storage lead [2:34] Why most sellers from your own marketing will start out overpriced, and why that's the system working [3:31] Who actually calls you back: the uninformed owner with a number in their head [4:58] Why relationships and meaningful conversations are the backbone of this business [6:40] The community weighs in, starting with Joe and the debt service coverage ratio [8:47] Don't debate the seller, let the calculator do the heavy lifting [10:03] Blame the bank: making it you and the seller versus the lender [11:45] "My offer isn't an opinion. It's a math equation." [12:17] Why your expense ratio will be higher than a mom-and-pop owner's [14:42] How to frame the conversation without insulting the seller [16:28] The thing nobody answered: what happens when the seller won't budge [18:28] Stop focusing on the price: seller's price, your terms [19:25] A real deal with 90% seller financing at a 3.25% fixed rate [20:49] "If I could pay you X, would you consider taking payments over time?" [21:01] Why every word in that framework is doing a job [23:05] What to do if you can't get terms [24:12] Chris's story: winning the price negotiation and losing the business [26:17] Why you don't need every question answered before going under contract [26:59] The most important takeaway: overpriced doesn't mean there's no opportunity [28:31] Bringing it all together: stop justifying your number and start creating deals [29:24] Pull your old overpriced leads back out and run the numbers [30:43] Why getting in the right room matters [31:35] How to book a call with Alex and closing thoughts Who This Episode Is For: Storage investors doing their own direct-to-seller marketing Anyone sitting on leads they've written off as "overpriced" Investors who struggle with price negotiations and stubborn sellers New investors who want to understand DSCR, expense ratios, and seller financing Anyone looking to create deals instead of waiting to find them Why You Should Listen: Most investors hear an inflated asking price and move on. Alex has built his portfolio doing the opposite. Overpriced sellers are usually not greedy, they're uninformed, and an uninformed seller with no relationship with you is an opportunity waiting for the right conversation. The core lesson of this episode is simple: stop focusing on the price. When a seller is stuck on a number, give them their number and negotiate the terms: the interest rate, the length of the loan, and the down payment. That's how deals that don't pencil on paper become great deals. If you have a folder or CRM full of leads you've filed away as overpriced, this episode will give you the tools to pull them back out and make offers with confidence. Follow Alex Pardo here: Storage Wins — storagewins.com Book a call with Alex — storagewins.com/call Follow Alex on Facebook Follow Alex on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube You're probably sitting on deals right now that you've written off as overpriced. Pull them back out, run the numbers, and make the offer. If you're serious about buying your first or next storage facility with the right people in your corner, head to storagewins.com/call and let's hop on a short ten-minute call to see how we can help.

    S3E1: The Overpriced Seller Is Your Best Lead

  7. Jun 29

    S2E40: Confidence Follows Action in Self Storage Investing

    In this season two finale of Storage Wins, host Alex Pardo reconnects with Dan, the investor he has coached through 40 episodes on the journey to buying his first self-storage facility. Alex also marks a personal milestone: ten years behind the mic, with a podcast published nearly every single week. This episode is a reflection on the entire season, the lessons that matter most for new storage investors, and why finishing the season without a closed deal is not failure. If you are working toward your first storage facility and need a reminder that confidence follows action and progress is rarely linear, this conversation is for you. You'll Learn How To: Build real confidence in your underwriting by putting in the reps deal after deal Treat relationship capital as the most valuable asset you can raise Protect your momentum once you have it instead of letting life knock you off track Use accountability partners to stay consistent without depending on them Make offers as the fastest way to learn the business and create urgency Keep self-storage investing simple instead of overcomplicating the process Find a community or mentor rather than trying to figure it out alone Reframe a season that ends without a closing as success, not failure What You'll Learn in This Episode [0:17] Alex opens the season two finale and frames it around the journey, not the facility [1:04] Why Dan was on a very short list of people Alex trusted to see this through [2:17] Dan on never having considered a podcast and what made this the right scenario [3:19] Dan's biggest breakthrough after underwriting hundreds of deals on the show [3:54] How confidence replaced the tough early conversations they rolled up their sleeves on [5:31] The common themes of season two: big why, reps, and the right people around you [5:55] Why relationship capital matters more than spreadsheets in this business [6:47] Top season lessons, starting with confidence follows action [7:11] Momentum is fragile, so protect it at all costs once you have it [7:51] Why underwriting does not need to take four hours [9:07] Make offers because offers get you in the game and create real urgency [9:41] Ask for help, find your tribe, and stop trying to do this alone [10:31] Progress is not linear, with a jiu jitsu lesson on messy real-world execution [12:26] Dan answers whether he is confident he will buy a storage facility [14:00] Why Dan did not fail, the season just ended, and those are different things [14:25] Alex marks ten years of podcasting and announces a short pause before season three [16:44] What season three will look like and the closing call to action Who This Episode Is For: New investors working toward their first self-storage facility Anyone struggling with confidence, second-guessing, or analysis paralysis in underwriting Investors who feel like they are trying to figure this out alone People who have lost momentum and want to rebuild it Action takers who need permission to let progress be messy and imperfect Listeners who have followed Dan's journey from episode one Why You Should Listen: This finale is less about a transaction and more about transformation. Over 40 episodes, Dan went from never having underwritten a real deal to running numbers that hold up against seasoned brokers and experienced storage owners. The facility has not closed yet, but the person who will close it has already been built. The core lesson Alex keeps returning to is that confidence follows action, not the other way around. You do not wait until you feel ready to make offers and have hard conversations. You make the offers and have the conversations, and the confidence shows up because of the reps. Relationships, consistency, and a refusal to quit do the rest. If you have been waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect deal, this episode is a reminder that the road to ownership zigs and zags. Messy progress still counts. The only real failure is stopping. Follow Alex Pardo here: Storage Wins — storagewins.com Book a call with Alex — storagewins.com/call Follow Alex on Facebook Follow Alex on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting to feel confident before you take action, let this be your sign to flip that order. Make the call, run the deal, and put one foot in front of the other. If you are serious about buying your first or next storage facility with the right people in your corner, head to storagewins.com/call and let's hop on a short ten minute call to see how we can help.

    S2E40: Confidence Follows Action in Self Storage Investing

  8. Jun 26

    S2E39: Why Closing A Deal Should Never Be A Goal (Closing the Right One Is)

    In this episode, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel sit down for one of the most honest conversations of the entire season. With Season 2 winding down and Dan still working toward his first storage deal, Alex asks the question neither of them planned to face publicly: what does it feel like to put yourself out there for 38 episodes and not yet cross the finish line? Dan's answer — "I feel like a fool" — stops the conversation cold. What follows is a raw, unscripted look at managing progress versus expectations, the ebbs and flows of pursuing a big goal, and what it really means to keep going when the timeline doesn't go the way you planned.   This is not a recap of mistakes. It's a conversation about identity, resilience, and what two years of grinding in public actually builds in a person. Dan reflects on the highs of nearly going under contract multiple times, the halt that came with a new baby, and the mindset shift that changed how he carries the weight of his journey. If you've ever felt behind, embarrassed by your timeline, or afraid to fail in front of people — this episode will meet you exactly where you are.   You'll Learn How To: Separate "I didn't hit my goal" from "I didn't make progress" — and why the difference changes everything Manage the emotional ebbs and flows that come with pursuing a long-term investing goal Drop the weight of missed follow-ups and hit the reset button without losing momentum you've already built Stop worrying what other people think about your timeline and start focusing on the right next step Use the wisdom of the 20s/40s/60s framework to free yourself from caring about other people's opinions Build a strong enough "why" to keep moving forward when results take longer than expected Take massive imperfect action even when you feel like you're too far behind to catch up   What You'll Learn in This Episode   [0:00] Introduction [1:10] What if you do everything right and still don't hit the goal? [1:42] Progress vs. expectations — why these are not the same thing [2:02] Dan's idea: let's talk about the ebbs and flows that nobody else puts on camera [2:26] Has success been linear? Dan's honest answer after 38 episodes [3:20] The highs — nearly under contract multiple times, and what future-casting costs you when a deal falls through [4:31] How a new baby and the holidays brought momentum to a near-complete halt [5:00] What Dan learned about rebuilding: it doesn't matter where you start, just start somewhere [5:33] "Put the weight down" — Alex on why carrying the guilt of missed follow-ups makes it impossible to move [6:25] The hardest question of the episode: knowing what you know now, would you have started anyway? [7:29] Dan's answer — and the conviction behind it [7:58] Why the community made the journey worth it regardless of the timeline [8:26] Why Alex recommended the movie Rudy — and what stories of struggle do for your mindset [10:05] The 20s/40s/60s framework: when you finally realize nobody was thinking about you anyway [11:29] Dan's gut-punch response when Alex said Season 2 was winding down: "I feel like a fool" [12:16] Why public failure hits differently than private failure [13:41] A week later — does Dan still feel that way? [14:07] Why "nobody's thinking about you" is the most freeing thing an entrepreneur can internalize [15:17] Why putting yourself out there and falling short earns more respect than never trying [16:06] The man in the arena — the person people cheer for is the one willing to fight [16:34] The goal was never just to close a deal — it was to close the right one [17:30] How much of "I feel like a fool" was really about what other people think? [18:00] What Dan would tell someone afraid to put themselves out there in case they fail [18:59] What Dan is most proud of after 38 episodes [19:38] Why seeing others in the community close deals inspires rather than discourages him [20:10] Episode 40 is the Season 2 finale — and Dan is coming back when he closes his first deal [21:03] The call to action: take massive imperfect action, have a big why, surround yourself with the right people [21:36] A preview of what Season 3 will look like   Who This Episode Is For: Aspiring storage investors who feel behind on their timeline and are starting to wonder if it's worth it Anyone who has put themselves out there publicly — on a podcast, in a community, or in front of others — and hasn't yet hit the goal Entrepreneurs struggling with the gap between the progress they've made and the expectations they set at the start People who are afraid to fail in front of others and have been using that fear as a reason to stay on the sideline Anyone who needs a reminder that the journey itself builds something that the destination alone never could Investors who have a big why but need help keeping it front of mind when the road gets longer than expected   Why You Should Listen:   Season 2 of Storage Wins was built on a simple premise: follow Dan Wentzel in real time as he pursues his first self-storage deal. The plan was to document the win. What happened instead was something more valuable — a two-year record of what it actually looks like to pursue a hard goal with no guarantees and no shortcuts. This episode is the honest accounting of that journey, and it's one of the most important conversations of the entire season.   What makes it land is Dan's willingness to say out loud what most people only feel privately. "I feel like a fool." That moment is the heart of this episode — and Alex's response, the 20s/40s/60s framework, the man in the arena, the distinction between missing a goal and failing to make progress — gives you the mindset tools to reframe your own journey in a way that actually helps you keep going.   If you've been at this for longer than you expected and you're starting to wonder whether the gap between where you are and where you thought you'd be by now means something has gone wrong — this episode is your answer. Nothing has gone wrong. The timeline is the journey. And the version of yourself you build on the way to the first deal is the asset that makes everything else possible.   Follow Alex Pardo here: Website: https://storagewins.com Schedule a call: https://storagewins.com/call Facebook Group: Storage Wins Community Instagram: @alexpardo25 YouTube: Storage Wins Podcast   If this episode resonated with you, the best next step is simple: book a free 10 to 15 minute discovery call with Alex at https://storagewins.com/call and let's figure out what's been keeping you from taking action. If you're just finding the show, go back to episode one of Season 2 and follow Dan's full journey from the beginning. And make sure you're subscribed — Episode 40, the Season 2 finale, is coming next.

    S2E39: Why Closing A Deal Should Never Be A Goal (Closing the Right One Is)
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About

What if you could finally escape the grind, quit your job, and build real wealth? Not by flipping more houses or managing tenants, but by owning a self-storage business that creates real freedom. Imagine waking up knowing you're in control: your business is running, your income is steady, and your time is finally yours. That's what Storage Wins is all about. If you're tired of trading dollars for hours, being burnt out from chasing deals that create more work, and are ready for a step-by-step system to buy your first self-storage facility, even if you don't have tons of time, money, or years of experience...this podcast is for you. Most real estate investors and employees feel stuck. Maybe you're grinding away at a nine-to-five that drains you or hustling in a single-family real estate business that leaves you stressed and overwhelmed. You dream of passive income and cash flow, but every solution you try just adds more chaos to your life. The truth is, you don't need to manage dozens of properties, fix broken toilets, or put up with nightmare tenants. There is a smarter, more scalable way. The problem isn't that self-storage is out of reach. Most people are overwhelmed by conflicting advice, all the moving pieces, and the myth that you need a ton of money or years of experience to get started. You end up overthinking, burning out, or worst of all, doing nothing and watching your dreams slip away. Other people are making it work and you wonder, why not me? What am I missing? The answer is clarity, a proven plan, and a supportive community. Imagine this: You have a clear roadmap to buy your first self-storage facility in the next six to twelve months, even if you've never done a real estate deal before. You know what to look for, how to find off-market deals, raise capital, and structure acquisitions that build wealth. You're part of a group that values simplicity, automation, and systems that make business more profitable. You are making progress, building cash flow, and finally owning your time. Hosted by Alex Pardo, real estate investor, coach, and former host of The Flip Empire Show, Storage Wins is your weekly guide to building a self-storage business that serves your life. Each episode brings you practical insights from Alex and top experts, as well as real stories from students and everyday investors. We go deep on what works: choosing the right market, negotiating deals, automating operations, avoiding rookie mistakes, and scaling up for real financial freedom. This show is about reclaiming your time and building a business that works for you. If you're sick of the rat race, exhausted by the endless hustle, and are ready to create freedom, wealth, and legacy, this is your show. You don't have to sacrifice your family, faith, or sanity to succeed. You just need a plan, one good deal, and the belief that freedom is closer than you think. If you love shows like AJ Osbourne's Self Storage Income, Self Storage Investing with Scott Meyers, The Storage Investor Show, or the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast, Storage Wins is for you. The Storage Wins community is for people who are done settling for less. Whether you're a burned-out entrepreneur, a frustrated employee, or a real estate investor tired of spinning your wheels, you belong here. Subscribe and start your journey to cash flow, financial freedom, and a business that gives you your life back. Disclaimer: The author, publishers, contributors and creators of this material are not responsible in any manner for any potential or actual loss resulting in the use of the information presented. The content of this publication is for informational purposes. No promise or guarantee of income or results is implied or suggested.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Pardo
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    905
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alex Pardo & StorageWins.com. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The author, publishers, contributors and creators of this material are not responsible in any manner for any potential or actual loss resulting in the use of the information presented.
  • Show Website
    Storage Wins

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