Shannon James

By Alejandra Zilak

hannon James is the lead human resources business partner at Storable, but her job title is only the tip of the iceberg. She lives a beautiful life with a loving family and a job she enjoys. She loves to read. She loves to travel. She loves being a leader and helping others pave their way. As this month’s feature for the “Women In Self-Storage” column, she’s happy to share her story to show readers that everyone gets sea legs when starting a new job and that confidence comes from getting things done.

James was born and raised in North Carolina, where she has lived her entire life. “I absolutely love it here!” she says. “We get all four seasons—fall is my favorite—and we’re lucky to have both the mountains and the beach. It truly is the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the energy of the city, then drive 30 minutes away in any direction and escape into peace and quiet.” Going further back, her story starts like a movie from the Hallmark channel. Six-week-old James was adopted by parents who were ready for their baby around the holidays. “They love to tell the story of arriving at the foster home to find me lying under a Christmas tree,” she says. “To this day, that account still warms my heart.”

Since her mom traveled for work and took her along, she was fortunate to travel often while growing up. “She believed travel was just as educational as school,” says James. “She even sent me to Europe for a few weeks one summer, sparking my lifelong love of travel—something I’ve passed on to my daughters, Elizabeth and Emma.”

She didn’t play sports, but she loved watching them, especially college football and women’s basketball. Her hobby was baton twirling, and she still picks one up now and then. She can still twirl two batons at once and still dreams of trying fire batons one day.

After high school, James enrolled at NC State. “I loved every moment there,” she says. James then attended graduate school at Campbell University to become a counselor. However, her time there was short-lived. “I took a temp job in human resources at IBM, and I fell in love with it immediately.” Since Campbell University doesn’t offer an HR degree, she transferred to NC state to obtain an M.A. in human resources. Her thesis focused on mothers in the workplace, a theme that was very close to her heart. “During grad school, I worked full-time, got married, bought a house, and had my first child,” says James.

She graduated in 2002 and went to work at IBM, where she worked primarily in university recruiting, hiring college seniors into full-time roles. “It was fast-paced, deadline-driven, and full of energy—exactly the kind of environment I thrive in.” That experience shaped her work style and instilled what she calls her “hurry up” driver. “I still love the adrenaline of getting things done.”

Her next chapter took her to the temporary services department at her alma mater, NC State. She loved the role because it allowed her to connect the department with talented individuals seeking opportunities. “Many came from diverse backgrounds, including refugees and those transitioning from homelessness,” she recalls. “Watching people secure full-time roles with benefits and build new lives was incredibly fulfilling.”

In 2018, a recruiting firm reached out to her to tell her about an open role at Storable. “I wasn’t sure at first because I loved my job at NC State,” says James, “but at the same time, I also felt like I’d reached a plateau in my career. Growth is important to me. I always want something to work towards.”

She approached the opportunity with an open mind, and within minutes of meeting Storable’s chief people officer, she knew it would be the right move for her. “To this day, it’s been the best career decision I’ve ever made. Our culture revolves around building trust and practicing radical candor, which are invaluable lifelong skills. It has really provided me with the runway to grow and develop.”

She started as HR manager. During the pandemic, she was promoted to senior human resources business partner, a role she had until 2024; today she is the lead HR business partner. While she still very much enjoys her roles in human resources, she also loves the fact that she gets to do so within the storage industry. “I love the grassroots nature of the industry and the opportunities it creates, especially for smaller operators. It serves communities in every economic climate, and the people are passionate, authentic, and down to earth.”

She also loves attending trade shows and meeting customers face to face. “It reminds me why I do what I do. They truly care about their businesses and the people they serve.”

When asked for words of wisdom for women who are starting their careers within this industry, she pipes up enthusiastically. “You’re in the right place! This industry has an incredible support system, and your perspective is needed.” She points out that female consumerism is powerful, that representation matters, and that seeing women lead in this space is inspiring for both employees and customers.

She goes on to highlight the importance of finding one’s voice. “That has been a lifelong journey for me,” she says. “I’ve had to learn when to temper my need to please others and when to stand firm.”

James also talks about the very relatable sensation of feeling out of her element. “Early on at Storable, impostor syndrome hit hard. Everyone around me was brilliant and tech-savvy, and I remember being completely thrown off by the term ‘deck.’ I had no idea it just meant a PowerPoint presentation! But through time, support, and effort, I grew into confidence.”

Finally, she acknowledges that being in a leadership role requires making difficult decisions. “Just like parenting, you can’t always give people what they want, but you can guide them with honesty.”

Despite having established a fulfilling career, James is most proud about the legacy she’s building for her daughters and the women around her. “Both of my daughters work in male-dominated industries: one as an auto body mechanic and the other in the poultry industry. They are strong, brave, and unafraid to speak up much earlier in life than I was.”

Then there’s her work at Storable. “As an HR business partner and as a leader of Women of Storable, I’ve learned to be comfortable in my own skin and use my story to help others grow.”

When not working, James is rediscovering her love of reading. True to her commitment to growth, she starts her mornings with professional books. “I’m in a book club at work, and we’re currently reading Brené Brown’s ‘Strong Ground.’” At night, she winds down with thrillers.

She’s been happily married for 28 years to her high school sweetheart and fellow foodie. “Last year, we set a New Year’s resolution to visit a new restaurant each month in 2025. Some have become instant favorites. Others, not so much, but it’s still been fun!” They also love to travel together. “Traveling is always on my radar. This year, we’re going on a European river cruise to visit the Christmas markets, and we have a New Year’s cruise to the Caribbean.”

Last but not least, she has a bulldog named Lola, a cat named Luna, and a grand-dog named Pugsley. She’s immensely proud of her daughters and stays close to her 90-year-old dad. “He remains my greatest teacher,” says James. “He taught me lessons I still live by: never burn bridges, work hard, go the extra mile, never say ‘that’s not my job,’ and always know a little about a lot so you can connect with anyone. And even when you know more, sometimes the kindest thing you can do is let someone else have their moment.”