Hey there,
Welcome to 2026! I am really excited about the market right now, and believe 2026 is going to be a great year to invest in storage (and beyond). I want to wish you an amazing 2026 as well - I hope you are ready to make this a great year for growth and investing like I am.
Alright, I'm excited to share a few new resources this week, here's what you'll learn:
âś… How businesses become valuable (as in, worth millions)
âś… 2025 storage recap, plus what's in store for 2026
✅ What the Banks Don’t Want You to Know About Self Storage Loans
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[ AJO Podcast ] Turn $100K Revenue Into $2M Value (Business Multiple Secret)
Want to know why some businesses sell for $2 million while others making the same profit only get $100,000? The difference isn't just revenue—it's about understanding the 8 key factors that drive business valuation multiples. Whether you're starting, buying, or scaling a business, knowing these factors can transform a 1x business into a 20x opportunity.
Most business owners think increasing revenue automatically increases value. That's not true. I've bought businesses worth a few hundred thousand and turned them into million-dollar companies, then scaled to companies with hundreds of millions in assets—and it all comes down to understanding what actually drives valuation multiples.
In this video, I break down the exact framework I use to analyze business value and identify hidden opportunities others miss. You'll learn why subscription-based businesses command higher multiples, how margin really works (hint: it's not just cost vs. price), and why owner dependence can kill your exit strategy. Be sure to download the accompanying chart with this video here!
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE EPISODE
[ SSI Podcast ] 2025 Self Storage Industry Recap (and What’s Coming in 2026)
2025 was a pivotal year for the self storage industry—but 2026 is about to be even bigger. We could get opportunities we haven’t seen in 15 years, but the buying window won’t last long. We’re taking full advantage, and in today’s episode, we’re outlining our exact 2026 plan.
We’re ringing in the New Year by sharing what we bought, sold, refinanced, and decided to hold in 2025. In the middle of 2025, things started to change—quickly. We’ve been buying up self storage as fast as we possibly can, because if you knew what we do, you wouldn’t be waiting on the sidelines. Interest rates are gradually falling, Americans are ready to move again, and storage demand could be rising. But sellers…they’re tired. The past few years have been hard, and you can take advantage.
The buying window is wide open, but it won’t last long. And this isn’t just blind faith. I’ll share the facts that tee up 2026 as a crucial year for growing wealth in self storage, plus how small investors can get ahead and build massive wealth once the “explosion” coming for storage starts to count down. And yes, I’ll even share a hint at my 2026 outlook and when I expect opportunities to reach their peak.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE EPISODE
[ Article ] What the Banks Don’t Want You to Know About Self Storage Loans
Most people think financing a self storage facility starts and ends at the bank. You apply, wait, hope you get approved, and accept whatever terms come back. That mindset alone eliminates more good deals than bad markets ever will.
The reality is that banks are just one piece of the capital puzzle. Self storage has unique characteristics that open doors to financing strategies most investors never learn about. Seller financing, SBA structures, working capital planning, private money, and refinancing strategies all play a role in building durable deals that survive market shifts.
This guide breaks down how experienced operators actually finance storage deals, what banks leave out of the conversation, and how to avoid the debt traps that quietly sink otherwise strong facilities.
Hope you enjoy the new content.
That's it for this week - until next time!
- AJ Osborne
