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/@itsrajtut

Connect with Alex:

Website: https://www.storagemall.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-erbs

Email: alex@storagemall.com

Timestamps:

00:00 Why “Build It and They Will Come” No Longer Works

02:18 How Alex Got Started in Self-Storage with Family

05:17 Finding Opportunity Where REITs Wouldn’t Go

07:25 Launching Third-Party Management by Accident

10:07 The Rise of Remote & Hybrid Management Models

14:32 How Big Operators Use Management to Buy Later

18:14 When to Use Remote vs On-Site Staffing

28:34 The 4 Core Tech Upgrades Every Storage Site Needs

39:30 Using AI and Dynamic Pricing to Maximize Revenue

54:10 The Real Cost of Overpaying for a Storage Facility

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region, or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect 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