The Self Storage Investment Hack | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Jacob Vanderslice focuses on building something that lasts. Jacob is the Co-founder and Principal of VanWest Partners, where he oversees the creation of value-add self-storage portfolios across the country. But his entrepreneurial journey did not start in an office or a boardroom. Before real estate, Jacob served as a firefighter and arson investigator in Colorado, a role that shaped his thinking about risk, responsibility, and preparation. In this episode, Jacob and Dave dig into the real story behind his transition into real estate and why self-storage became his long-term focus. What began as residential fix-and-flip projects evolved into a disciplined investment platform built around downside protection, conservative leverage, and operational control. Jacob shares how early mistakes, development missteps, and selling too early taught him lessons that still guide every decision today. They talk candidly about what makes self-storage resilient, why supply is the biggest risk in the asset class, and how month-to-month leases allow operators to respond in real time. Jacob explains why his team self-manages their portfolio, why culture matters even across dozens of markets, and why growing slower is sometimes the smartest move. This conversation is about discipline, patience, and learning through failure. It is a grounded look at building wealth the long way, protecting the downside, and knowing when not to sell. If you want an honest perspective on real estate, risk, and long-term entrepreneurship, this is an episode worth your time.