$100M+ in Self-Storage | John Manes' Playbook on Building & Exiting Smart

In this episode of the Capital Raiser Show, Richard C. Wilson interviews John Manes, Chairman of StoreSuite LLC and a self-storage entrepreneur who has helped build over $170M in storage assets and created companies worth more than $300M—including two successful exits totaling $200M+. John shares the real story behind building and scaling a self-storage platform, from raising capital for his very first deal to assembling a portfolio that attracted major buyers. Along the way, he reveals how authenticity, relationships, and being in the right investor rooms helped him grow faster than traditional operators. In this conversation, you'll learn: How John raised $900K for his first storage deal and turned it into a $1.8M exit Why network proximity and relationships are critical for raising capital and scaling deals The strategy behind building and exiting $100M+ real estate platforms Lessons learned from costly mistakes with lenders, brokers, and deals How to stand out with investors in a crowded market Why transparency with investors matters more during tough cycles than easy markets John also discusses the mindset required to scale from small deals to large portfolios, how he approached major exits, and the operational systems needed to run a vertically integrated self-storage company. If you're raising capital, investing in real estate, or building a scalable investment platform, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to grow, exit, and rebuild successfully in the self-storage industry.