How To Scale a Storage Business with Smart Systems, with Alex Erbs is the VP and co-owner of Storage Mall Group and Gateway Storage

Alex Erbs is the VP and co-owner of Storage Mall Group and Gateway Storage, a family-run business with over 60 years of experience in the self-storage industry. With more than 2 million square feet under management across 11 states and over 12,000 units, Alex has played a pivotal role in scaling operations across the Midwest and Northeast. He also serves as Vice President of the Missouri Self-Storage Association and sits on the board of the Illinois Self-Storage Association. His career began while still in college, supporting his uncle’s operations before launching a self-storage business with his father that quickly grew into a regional force.In this episode, Alex shares deep insights into self-storage investing, third-party management, and automation trends. He unpacks how remote management works in practice, why feasibility studies are non-negotiable, and the biggest mistakes new investors make—like overpaying for facilities. The conversation covers acquisition strategy, the shift away from kiosks, the rise of dynamic pricing and smart tech, and the importance of local market saturation. Listeners will walk away with a practical understanding of how to succeed in self-storage, from setup to scaling.Connect with Raj:Twitter: twitter.com/ItsRajTut LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajtut/ Instagram: instagram.com/ItsRajTut TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsrajtutConnect with Alex:Website: https://www.storagemall.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-erbs Email: [email protected]:00:00 Why “Build It and They Will Come” No Longer Works02:18 How Alex Got Started in Self-Storage with Family05:17 Finding Opportunity Where REITs Wouldn’t Go07:25 Launching Third-Party Management by Accident10:07 The Rise of Remote & Hybrid Management Models14:32 How Big Operators Use Management to Buy Later18:14 When to Use Remote vs On-Site Staffing28:34 The 4 Core Tech Upgrades Every Storage Site Needs39:30 Using AI and Dynamic Pricing to Maximize Revenue54:10 The Real Cost of Overpaying for a Storage FacilityThis podcast is brought to you by Storyboard LivingThis podcast is brought to you by Storyboard LivingIf you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region, or another part of MO/IL, please email [email protected] with us at our Website: https://storyboardliving.com/ LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storyboard-living/#SelfStorage #CommercialRealEstate #StorageInvesting #RealEstateStrategy #PassiveIncome #RemoteManagement #REITs #StorageBusiness #AutomationInRealEstate #MidwestInvesting #MultifamilyInvesting #FeasibilityStudy #SmartStorage #DynamicPricing