Self Storage Investing 2026: The Next Wealth Cycle with AJ Osborne

In this episode, Vince sits down with AJ Osborne, founder of Self Storage Income, who built a $400M self-storage portfolio by acquiring overlooked facilities.Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.coIn this episode, we break down:• How AJ scaled to $400M+ in self-storage without outside investors• The simple 3-step system he used to increase NOI fast• Why self-storage is a business, not just real estate• The “money on the table” strategy for spotting undervalued deals• Lessons from almost losing everything after a sudden paralysis and how storage income saved his family• The 3 wealth cycles of self-storage (infancy → adolescence → maturity)• Why 2025–2030 could be the next major buying window and opportunities below replacement cost• How AI is transforming storage operations and giving small investors institutional-level toolsTimstamps00:00 Intro & AJ’s $400M portfolio03:30 From insurance sales to investing10:45 Why he chose self-storage14:30 The simple 3-step value-add strategy19:40 Lessons from his first deal23:10 What he’d tell his younger self29:30 Nearly losing everything & paralysis story39:30 Why self-storage saved his family41:30 What actually drives storage demand45:50 The 3 wealth cycles of self-storage50:00 Why AJ is deploying $500M now59:00 How AI is changing operations1:06:30 Why now is the best time to start1:09:15 Where to follow AJConnect with AJWebsite: https://www.ajosborne.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajosborneCONNECT WITH LAUNCH REIWebsite: https://launchrei.coNewsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.coMastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermindYouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCraneApply to be a Podcast Guest: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/Follow VinceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane#selfstorageinvesting#commercialrealestate#passiveincome#realestateinvesting#valueaddrealestate#entrepreneurship#financialfreedom#launchrei#