Magen Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Atomic Storage Group, joins Matt Engfer to share how disciplined execution, strong fundamentals, and a people-first mindset have fueled one of the fastest-growing third-party management companies in self storage.

Magen walks through her unconventional path into the industry—from accounting and consulting to development and ultimately building Atomic Storage Group into a national platform. She explains why marketing is often the first indicator of operational health, which metrics truly matter in a property audit, and how consistent execution across marketing, operations, and customer experience creates long-term success.

Rather than chasing shortcuts or shiny tools, this episode reinforces a simple truth: doing the basics well, every day, at scale is what separates average operators from great ones.

Key Takeaways:

(0:00) Intro

(3:13) Magen's story

(7:14) The metrics that matter in a property audit

(9:23) How do you compete in today's market

(10:18) Managing all aspects of the facility

(12:37) Doing it well everyday - it's all about execution

(15:34) Building an effective team

(18:07) A diverse group of managed properties

(19:16) The secret is, there is no secret - hard work and a great team make the difference

(20:56) The growth and future of Atomic Storage Group and self storage

(25:46) What's ahead for Cubby in 2026

Resources Mentioned:

Magen Smith | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/magensmithcpa

Atomic Storage Group | Website

https://atomicstoragegroup.com

Cubby | Website

https://www.cubbystorage.com

Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

#SelfStorageManagement #StorageMarketing #StudentsOfStorage

Self-storage attorney Scott Zucker and Luke Shardlow, CEO of AI Lean, join host Matt Engfer for a deep dive into one of the most critical—and risky—parts of operating a storage facility: the lien process. Together, they discuss the legal responsibilities operators carry when enforcing tenant liens, why accuracy and documentation matter more than ever, and how technology can help reduce human error, avoid legal pitfalls, and keep operators fully compliant.

Scott highlights the newest challenges around SCRA protection, bankruptcy filings, returned mail, and changing state laws, while Luke explains how AI Lean’s platform automates verification, mailing, tracking, and recordkeeping to protect operators at every step.

Whether you’re a new operator or managing a large portfolio, this episode gives you the practical tools and insights you need to navigate liens with confidence—and avoid costly mistakes.

(01:47) Speaker Introductions

(09:14) Understanding SCRA compliance and military verification.

(10:09) The Power and Responsibility the go along with the lien process

(15:20) Technology considerations for staying SCRA compliant

(19:30) How bankruptcy impacts the lien timeline.

(21:28) Complications that come from deceased tenants

(23:00) What operators should look for in a lien-processing partner

(26:53) Don’t be afraid to cancel the sale

(29:58) Solutions to avoiding a cancelled or illegal sale

(36:00) Final lessons learned

Resources Mentioned:

Scott Zucker | Website

https://wzlegal.com

AI Lean | Website

https://www.ailean.com

Self Storage Legal Network

https://www.selfstorage.org/Products-Services/Self-Storage-Legal-Network

Cubby | Website

https://www.cubbystorage.com

Thank you for listening to the Cubby Podcast. Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

#SelfStorage #SelfStorageLienLaw #AILean #SelfStorageLegal #CubbyStorage #StorageOperations

Gabe Thayn, Co-Founder of Marketing.Storage, joins Matt Engfer to share how data, transparency, and true partnership—not vendor relationships—drive marketing success for self-storage operators. With nearly 20 years of experience leading digital marketing at companies like Extra Space Storage and Adigma, Gabe has helped shape how the industry approaches SEO, paid search, and performance measurement.

In this episode, Gabe explains why understanding and tracking your data is the foundation of every effective marketing strategy. He outlines the three core pillars of SEO—technical structure, content, and backlinks—and how to optimize each one for local impact. Gabe also breaks down what it takes to achieve accurate attribution, measure true ROI, and turn marketing insights into more rentals.

For operators and owners looking to make smarter marketing investments and build stronger partnerships, this episode offers a clear roadmap for turning data into performance.

Key Takeaways:

(01:44) Gabe’s journey from tech and gaming into marketing.

(07:00) Lessons learned from leading paid media at Extra Space Storage.

(10:30) Leaving Extra Space and using Google data in the hotel industry and beyond

(13:00) Agencies vs Firms - the importance of partnerships and beginning Marketing.Storage

(16:00) The foundation underneath Marketing.Storage - partners, not clients

(18:00) Why you need a marketing partner vs DIY - SEO Tips

(20:35) The three pillars of SEO: technical, content, and backlinks.

(24:50) Practical local backlink strategies for storage facilities.

(29:05) How you can generate more rentals- Measurement and analytics

(35:36) Using data to make smarter marketing and investment decisions

(37:44) The difference between vendors and partners in marketing success

(41:00) Why communication and accountability lead to better results

Resources Mentioned:

Gabe Thayn | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-thayn/

Marketing.Storage | Website

https://www.marketing.storage

Cubby | Website

https://www.cubbystorage.com

Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

#SelfStorageManagement #StorageMarketing #StudentsOfStorage