As the self storage industry heads into another busy season and with ISS World Expo around the corner, Josh and Melissa take a step back to talk about something simple but often overlooked. What is the core of your business and are you still focused on it?

With AI and new tools dominating conversations across the industry, it is easy to get pulled in a lot of different directions. Some of those tools can enhance your business. Others can become distractions.

In this episode, we break down the difference.

We look at real-world examples like Amazon expanding in ways that still support its core business, compared to companies like Microsoft that invested heavily in products that did not align with their main focus.

Then we bring it back to self storage.

At the end of the day, our business is renting units. That means focusing on three things above all else:

• Creating a smooth and simple rental experience
• Delivering a great customer experience after move-in
• Attracting the right customers to your facility

If those three things are not dialed in, nothing else will matter.

This episode is a reminder to evaluate where your time, money, and attention are going and to make sure everything you are adding actually supports the main thing.

If you're planning your year, here are a few events we recommend:

• Register for the NeSSA Expo in Connecticut using code Lighthouse10 - Register Here
• Register for The Big Ideas in Storage Conference in Texas - Register Here
• Register for MSM's The Show using code LSS2026 - Register Here

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

Are your vendors actually doing what you're paying them to do? After a short break to get settled into our new role alongside Haviland Storage Services, Melissa and Josh are back on the podcast addressing a topic that affects every single operator.

We all rely on vendors. Landscaping, software, security, marketing… They're a critical part of running a self storage facility. But here's the question we don't ask often enough: Are you really getting what you're paying for?

In this episode, we dig into how to keep your vendors accountable and make sure they're actually serving your business the way they should.

We cover:

• Knowing your contracts (and what's actually included)
• Scheduling regular demos and check-ins
• Making sure you're using everything you're paying for
• And getting out to trade shows to compare options and stay sharp

One of the best ways to evaluate your current vendors and discover better ones is simply getting in the room with them. That's why our recommendations this week are all about trade shows.

If you're planning your year, here are a few events we recommend:

• Register for the Inside Self-Storage World Expo - Register Here
• Register for the NeSSA Expo in Connecticut using code Lighthouse10 - Register Here
• Register for The Big Ideas in Storage Conference in Texas - Register Here
• Register for MSM's The Show using code LSS2026 - Register Here

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions

In this special announcement episode of the Gabfocus Podcast, Josh and Melissa Huff share three major updates that will shape the future of the self storage industry as a whole.

Joining Forces with Haviland Storage Services
Sue Haviland joins the show to talk about partnering with Lighthouse Storage Solutions and what this collaboration means for owners and operators. Melissa shares her new role supporting operations and training, and Sue explains how this partnership strengthens Haviland's ability to serve clients nationwide.

Introducing Storage Academy
Tommy Nguyen and Darby Bozeman join the conversation to unveil Storage Academy—a new educational platform focused on delivering high-quality, vetted content for self storage owners, managers, and teams. The goal: practical education that actually improves operations and profitability.

Announcing The Show – 2026
Travis Morrow from Modern Storage Media and Store Local closes out the episode with details on The Show, the largest self storage trade show east of the Mississippi coming in 2026. He shares what makes this event different, why it matters, and who should be there.

This episode is all about collaboration, education, and raising the bar for the self storage industry.

🎥 Now available on YouTube - Watch Episode Here

Register for The Show using code LSS2026 - Register Here

Hosts: Josh Huff & Melissa Huff

Produced by Lighthouse Storage Solutions