Gary Edmonds

Owner, Pike County Storage

Gary Edmonds has been the owner, manager, janitor and lawnmower at Pike County Storage in Pittsfield, Ill., since 1999. He and his wife, Diane, also own All-Star Mini Storage and Puro Mini Storage in Peoria, Ill., and U-Store-It in Macomb, Ill. With a background in banking, financial services and construction, Gary strives to be surrounded by people who are smarter than he is. He can be reached at [email protected].

Gary’s Recent activity

A 4-Part Approach: Setting a New-Year Strategy for Your Self-Storage Business

Jan 22, 2021

It’s an unpredictable world, and plans can quickly go awry. Still, you need to set a strategy for your self-storage operation, so you have a path to follow in the months ahead. An owner with 15 locations shares his...

Self-Storage Site Maintenance: Why Outsourcing Can Help You Make More Money

Aug 06, 2020

If your self-storage company is on the smaller side, you might be inclined to tackle property maintenance yourself; but this owner discovered outsourcing was a much better option for his business and his time. Is it...

The Beauty of Rule-Bending: Why Customer Service Must Occasionally Surpass Self-Storage Policy

Aug 01, 2020

It’s important for self-storage operations to have rules, but sometimes they must be bent (or even broken) to properly serve customers. Facility staff must be empowered to solve problems! Let’s look at why it’s...

Using Role Play to Improve Your Self-Storage Sales Skills and Confidence

Jun 04, 2020

When it comes to sales, reading and watching videos may give you an idea of what to do, but only practice and experience can make you a success. For self-storage managers, role playing cam improve skills and...

Exceling as a Small Self-Storage Operator Is About Focusing on Your MIT

May 01, 2020

Being a small self-storage operator has its challenges, but you can excel even against larger competitors if you focus on your MIT. The author (an owner himself) shares what that is and how it keeps him focused on...

Tech Vex: The Tribulations of Dealing With Technology as a Small Self-Storage Operator

Mar 06, 2020

Technology may be designed to increase efficiency, but it can sometimes feel like more trouble than it’s worth. Read the frustrations of one small self-storage operator in dealing with everything from merchant...

Who’s in Your Shower With You? The Drain of Self-Storage Staffing Problems

Jul 19, 2019

Managing staff can be a breeze … or totally draining. When you have a team member who can’t seem to “get with the program,” it might be time to make a difficult decision and let go. Read about this self-storage...

Time to Streeeeetch! Embracing Flexibility for a Better Self-Storage Business

Dec 14, 2018

There’s no single, “correct” way to operate a self-storage business. The owner of several facilities encourages fellow operators to reject rigid policies and embrace flexibility for maximum success.

Storin’ Ain’t Easy … A Day in the Life of an Independent Self-Storage Operator

Oct 05, 2018

Outsiders to the self-storage industry might think facility operation is simple, but those who manage facilities know every day can be a challenge, full of unexpected tasks and incidents. To prove the job is anything...