Shows
StorChatsBuilding A Business and Keeping A Grounded, Hands-On Life | Bourbon & Bullsh*t with John & RandyIn this episode of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes welcomes Randy Huber, Business Development Manager at Valston Construction, a general contractor specializing in self-storage, retail, and commercial projects across the Southeast. The two reconnect in Texas after six years in the industry—this time over pours of Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Heritage Barrel Rye, a 100-proof Tennessee rye with a nose that surprises and a palate that hits with cinnamon, caramel, and classic bourbon heat.
Grab a pour and join them as they dig into:
• The earthy nose vs. cinnamon-forward palate of Heritage Barrel Rye
•...
2025-11-2614 minStorChatsRum, Leadership, and Life Lessons with Dave Deems | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John ManesIn this episode of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes welcomes Dave Deems, Business Development Manager at Storage Asset Management (SAM) — one of the fastest-growing self-storage operators in the U.S., expanding from 40 to nearly 600 stores in just over a decade.
In true Bourbon & Bullsh*t fashion, they kick things off with a twist — rum instead of bourbon — including a hand-selected Bacardi Single Barrel from Puerto Rico and Treaty Oak Distilling Reserve Rum (119 proof). Between pours, John and Dave talk business, leadership, friendship, and the lessons learned over 37 years of marriage, 11 years in storage, and a lifetime of doing...
2025-11-1933 minStorChatsBuilding Business & Brotherhood ft The Arizona Guys | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John ManesIn this episode of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes welcomes “The Arizona Guys” — Andrew Wisdom and Jorge Varela from OpenTech Alliance — who flew in from Phoenix to Katy, Texas for a few good pours and even better stories. With bottles of Stagg Jr. (Batch 23C) and Elmer T. Lee 90 Proof open on the bar, the crew talks bourbon, business, fatherhood, and finding humour (and wisdom) in the grind.
Grab a pour and join them as they dig into:
• The Texas Self Storage Association bourbon & wine night — 30+ bottles, incredible food from Peché, Austin
• What “PropTech” really means in the self-s...
2025-10-2233 minStorChatsBourbon Flights & Leadership ft Joey Cottle | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John ManesIn this episode of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes welcomes Joey (Joseph) Cottle, General Manager of Anthonie's Market Grill in Simonton, Texas - where Tuesdays mean legendary bourbon flights and live-music vibes. Between pours of E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof (Batch 13), a vintage 1995 Weller Antique 107, and Joey’s Elijah Craig Single Barrel pick, they talk bourbon, restaurant leadership, and building a community around great food and drink.
Grab a pour and join them as they dig into:
• Anthonie's Tuesday Bourbon Flights
• The “Platinum” flight
• Why Anthonie's now stocks Chattanooga Single Barrel...
2025-10-0254 minStorChatsThe Real ROI of Service | StorChats: Bros, Brews, and Business Ep 4In this episode, StorSuite CEO Scott Worden and VP of Sales & Client Success Damon Emerson dive into what truly sets great companies apart - service. Not the buzzword kind, but the real, lived-out, people-first approach that creates loyalty, trust, and yes, even hugs from clients.
From Starbucks drive-thru moments to Disney “backstage” lessons, Scott and Damon share personal stories that shaped how they think about service and why it’s the backbone of every successful business. They highlight team members like Paul, Amanda, and Janet, whose genuine care and extra-mile efforts define what service really looks like in act...
2025-09-2431 minStorChatsBalancing Business and Being Human | StorChats: Vino with Alvino Ep 4In this episode of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO pours a comforting glass of Napa Gamay Rouge and opens up about one of the most challenging parts of leadership—balancing business and being human.
From burnout and boundaries to imposter syndrome and emotional intelligence, Christina reflects on her own journey as a founder, sharing the behind-the-scenes struggles that rarely make it onto polished social posts.
Pour yourself a glass and join Christina for a candid conversation where she covers:
• Why kindness without boundaries invites burnout
• How to set no...
2025-09-1823 minStorChatsFoundations of Goal Setting | StorChats: Bros, Brews, and Business Ep 3Brews, bros, and… beef jerky? In this episode, StorSuite COO Scott Worden and VP of Sales & Client Success Damon Emerson sit down to talk about the real foundation of goal setting—why it matters, how to set achievable vs. stretch goals, and what it takes to stay motivated when life (and business) gets messy.
From sports lessons that shaped their mindset to the daily habits and tools they rely on, Scott and Damon break down strategies for execution, measuring success beyond financials, and keeping teams aligned on the same vision. Plus, a look at how StorSuite is grow...
2025-09-0426 minStorChatsMarketing Myths with Taylor Johnson | StorChats: Vino with Alvino Ep 3In this StorSuite special of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO and founder of FineView Marketing, pours a bold Cabernet Franc and sits down with StorSuite’s Director of Marketing, Operations, and Services, Taylor Johnson, to bust the biggest myths in storage marketing.
From the “set it and forget it” website myth to the misconception that more traffic always means more rentals, Christina and Taylor separate fact from fiction with real-world insights from inside and outside the self-storage industry.
Pour yourself a glass and join them for a candid conversation where they cover...
2025-08-2728 minStorChatsTip of the Day | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John Manes Ep 6Tip of the Day | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John Manes Ep 6
Everyone asks John Manes the same question: “How do I get started in storage?”
In this episode, he breaks it down into 4 no-BS steps:
1. Get in the right room
2. Find your resources
3. Give before you ask
4. Then make your ask
Whether you’re looking at self-storage, real estate, or any business, these principles will help you build connections, find opportunity, and set yourself apart.
Subscribe for more...
2025-08-2003 minStorChatsThe Movies That Made Us Sell | StorChats: Bros, Brews, and Business Ep 2Join Co-Founders Damon Emerson (VP of Sales & Client Success) and Scott Worden (COO) for another episode of Bros, Brews, and Business, as they swap their favorite movie quotes and unpack how films can inspire, motivate, and break up the grind of sales and leadership.
Pull up a chair (and maybe a bucket of popcorn) for a conversation where they cover:
• Sales lessons from classics like Glengarry Glen Ross, Boiler Room, and The Wolf of Wall Street
• Why humor and quick quotes can build stronger team connections
• How movies double as “lif...
2025-08-1317 minStorChatsFrom FineView to StorSuite | StorChats: Vino with Alvino Ep 2In this StorSuite special of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO and founder of FineView Marketing, swaps her usual red for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and takes us on the winding journey from launching a boutique marketing agency to merging with StorSuite.
From the early days of consulting for a handful of self-storage facilities to building a 60-person team combining tech, marketing, and service under one roof, Christina shares the opportunities, challenges, and leaps of faith that shaped the path.
Pour yourself a glass and join her for a candid conversation where...
2025-08-0610 minStorChatsFrom BB Guns to Business Ownership ft Bradley Elliott | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John ManesIn this birthday special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes sits down with longtime friend and first-time business owner Bradley Elliott for a conversation about bourbon, entrepreneurship, and work ethic — all while sipping Rabbit Hole Cavehill.
What starts with a bottle pop quickly turns into a deep dive into Bradley’s journey from BB guns and blue-collar grind to buying his first small business: Hill Country Embroidery in Bandera, Texas. Together, they break down what it takes to run and grow a Main Street business today — from due diligence and equipment upgrades to community support and cre...
2025-07-3029 minStorChatsFrom the Locker Room to the Boardroom | StorChats: Bros, Brews, and Business Ep 1Join Co-Founders Damon Emerson (VP of Sales & Client Success) and Scott Worden (COO) for the premiere of their podcast Bros, Brews, and Business, as they have honest conversation about their journey from the sports field to the self-storage boardroom.
Grab a mug (or a can) and join them for a candid first episode where they cover:
• Why sports taught them more about business than business school ever could
• The power of showing up even when you get knocked down
• How coaching kids shaped their leadership style
• What it really means to lead with aut...
2025-07-2318 min
Defining your Niche PodcastSee how Jessica Johnson is helping StorSuite bring smiles to the bottom line!Follow Thaddeus Campbell on social media: Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/itsthadcampbell/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/itsthadcampbell Instagram: https://instagram.com/itsthadcampbell/ Reach Jessica on social media too: Email: jessicaj@storsuite.com Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/storsuite/ If you want to have an Unfair Advantage and Outpace the self-storage market with supercharged deal sourcing, check our sponsor of this episode Proprise. Click on the link below. https://www.proprise.io/ If you have a commercial property for sale reach out at: https://safest...
2025-07-2232 minStorChatsPouring the First Glass | StorChats: Vino with Alvino Ep 1In this StorSuite special of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO and lifelong entrepreneur, pours a glass of red and shares her unfiltered origin story in business, leadership, and self storage.
From the steel towns of Pittsburgh to founding a marketing agency and now leading a portfolio of brands under StorSuite, Christina opens up about the women who shaped her, the bosses who challenged her, and the legacy that fuels her drive to support the next generation of leaders.
Pour yourself a glass and join her for a...
2025-07-1609 minStorChatsCalling All Brokers | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John Manes Ep 4In this StorSuite special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes breaks down the most misunderstood metric in self-storage investing: the cap rate. Over a pour of Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon (because this episode deserves a classic), John calls BS on broker proformas, unrealistic expense ratios, and overpriced deals that don’t pencil out in today’s interest rate environment. If you’re buying off of cap rate - listen up.
Grab a glass and join him as he breaks down:
What a cap rate actually is - and how to calculate it
The da...
2025-07-0908 minStorChatsStrings, Storage, and Straight Talk ft Peter Spickenagel | StorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John Manes Ep 3In this StorSuite special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes sits down with Peter Spickenagel—owner/operator, industry veteran, and longtime friend—for a candid conversation over a pour of Rowan’s Creek Bourbon (crafted by Willett Distillery).
From touring in bands to building a self-storage portfolio from the ground up, Peter shares how a call from his mom led to a $13/hour job that launched a 17-year (and counting) career in the business.
Grab a glass and join them as they talk:
What it means to lead with relationships—not ego
Peter’...
2025-06-1822 minStorChatsRent vs Reserve: Why It Matters for Your Storage Business | StorChats: Success w/ Jess Ep 1Welcome to the first episode of Success with Jess! Jessica Johnson is back on the mic to share battle-tested insights on how small tweaks can lead to big success in your business—and in life. Today, Jess dives into why your storage facility should prioritize renting online instead of reserving, and how this strategy creates faster move-ins, better revenue certainty, and happier custom`ers.
Whether you're in self-storage or just looking for smarter business strategies, Jess delivers actionable advice with her trademark candor (and a little humor).
🔗 For more: https://storsuite.com
2025-06-0504 minStorChatsStorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John Manes | Ep2 David Allan: Scaling Storage, Strategy, & ServiceIn this StorSuite special of Bourbon and Bullshit, John Manes sits down with David Allan, President of Apple Self Storage, for a no-BS conversation over a pour of Rowan's Creek Bourbon (crafted by Willett Distillery). With 54 facilities and over 2.4 million square feet under management, David shares his real-world lessons on scaling from 10 to 50+ self-storage sites in Canada—and what pain points hit hardest along the way.
Grab a glass and join them as they talk:
- The "lumpy" journey of scaling a storage business
- Turning data into behavior-based decisions
- Why tech should su...
2025-05-0626 minStorChatsStorChats: Bourbon & Bullsh*t w/ John Manes | Ep. #1 – Damon Emerson: Sales, Leadership & Industry Real TalkJoin StorSuite Chairman and bourbon enthusiast John Manes for the premiere of "Bourbon and Bullshit." In this episode, John sits down with Damon Emerson, StorSuite's VP of Sales and Client Success, as they share a glass from John's personal bourbon collection. They discuss industry insights, leadership lessons, and candid experiences from their careers in self-storage. Grab your favorite drink and join the conversation for an authentic, relaxed dive into the storage world.
Bourbon's Sampled:
Justin's House of Bourbon: https://www.thehouseofbourbon.com/
2025-04-0123 min
Gabfocus Self Storage PodcastBeyond the 4 Ds: Why Business Owners Need Storage with Jamie BorosSelf-storage isn't just for life transitions anymore—more and more small business owners, gig workers, and entrepreneurs are using storage units to run and grow their businesses. From Etsy sellers and antique dealers to pharmaceutical reps and lawn care companies, these customers have unique needs and can be some of the longest-staying tenants. In this episode, we explore how self-storage operators can attract and serve business customers effectively. We discuss marketing strategies beyond the traditional "4Ds," including digital advertising, social media platforms like Pinterest and TikTok, and pricing models that work for business users. Joining us...
2025-02-1445 min
Self Storage InsightsThe Future Self Storage Customer | Interview with Scott Worden & Brett CopperIn the latest episode of the Self Storage Insight Podcast, we dive into the future self-storage customer with Brett Copper from Copper Storage Management and Scott Worden from StorSuite. Discover how technology is transforming customer experiences and learn practical tips for modernizing your facility. Don't miss out on insights that could give your business a competitive edge!
2024-08-2334 min