I was wondering about Car detailing? It wouldn't work for all locations, but the slower rural site, but it might work. I'm just trying to throw some ideas out there.

I started this thread thinking about small engine repair, but that would be too messy & stinky and you would definitely have to be very mechanically inclined. Also, it would be ridiculous to greet a storage customer with greasy hands.

Nope not here, it's all I can do in July when it's 105 degrees with 100% humidity to sweep out the back of the U-Haul trucks.

Lots of managers (epically residential managers) living in slower areas are involved with other "business ventures"

I for one own and operate a small sign and banner business - this is aside from the Storage facility and is in no way connected to the facility, but it is something that (for the right person and location) could be a side line to make more money. On slow days I can sit in the office and work on designing signs and banners.

I do it to earn a little extra money to support my electronics habit - I am an electronics junky - HDTV, computers, home theater that kind of stuff.

As a former auto tech I would not get near a detailing shop - too involved and time consuming for me.

__________________
Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.
webmaster@all-americanselfstorage.com

Autodoc, next time you are in Florida, how about stopping by and hooking up our DVD player to our flat screen tv?

I hate to sound like a wet blanket all the time on these ideas, but there is much more to them than meets the eye. Here in Kaleefornia there are many requirements for the handling of wastewater, in some areas permits are required to allow for that water to enter the sanitary sewer system. At the very least, the water and detergent that is generated by a car wash cannot go down the storm drain and out into the natural water runoff areas. The wastewater must be put into the sanitary sewer system to be treated.

This would mean that there would have to be a washrack designed and built on your facility to catch the water and deliver it to the sewer. The fines for not doing it right are pretty hefty.

I know here in CA we are pretty whacked out, especially on some environmental issues, and I know for a fact that when I wash my car I don't collect all of the dirty water and soap and flush it down the toilet. Having said that though, a commercial business venture would (at least here) require more than a hose and a bucket to be legal.

I think maybe Autodoc has nailed it with a banner making business, no time pressure, uses a small space, not heavy on drive-up customers, no runoff, little inventory, little waste, etc.

...for additional profit centers at your self-storage business, you might start by getting inside you storage tenant's head by asking yourself "what other things revolve around my customers' need for storage?" Focusing upon the events that bring them to you in the first place helps you aim at other potential needs they have that you can conveniently provide as a profitable compliment to your main business.

Obviously, most self-storage clients may someday encounter a need for windshield repair, lawn-mower tune-ups, etc., but they generally aren't concerned about these unrelated items when they sign their storage lease agreements. Our industry's traditional ancillary offerings, like sales of moving/packing supplies, truck rentals, p.o. boxes, etc., all support the CORE service, which has always been space rental! Consider some of the other recent trends in storage ancillaries including wine storage, document management, shipping and notary services, even Ebay sales- ALL are connected in some specific way to a customer's initial need for storage space.

Many large corporations have explored opportunities that took them far afield from their bread-and-butter products only to retreat as residual markets dried up or harmfully distracted from core activities. Owners and managers of storage facilities eager to add additional profit centers in this economy would be wise to venture into the uncharted waters of the "ancillary sea" with caution.


STEPPING DOWN FROM MY PULPIT, I AM:

John Roser
storage guy