Industry Icons - Women in Self Storage
I find the most interesting aspect of self storage to be the customer. Our customers are usually people in transition. Over the years I have helped people who need storage because their children are moving out or moving back in, they have had a death of loved one, or are moving their loved one to a nursing home. I have held the hand of a woman who was going through divorce and didn't know where to turn next but just needed someone who acted like they cared. I have also leased to customers who were planning their daughter's wedding and needed that extra "closet space" to store all the trappings! There have been customers who are combining households with a second marriage and can't bear to part with those special personal items they have had for years. I have watched customers who have paid full rate without bating an eye and recently have watched customers agonize over a $10.00 prorated move in. I have heard hundreds of stories of love, heartache and grief and have even become good friends with people who have stored with us for years. It is amazing to wait and see who comes through the door next.
I have lived through the good times and the bad times in self storage but one thing always remains. It is people that make this job worth while and without them we wouldn't be in business. This is certainly a ministry and if you decide to treat it as such it can be very rewarding.