t’s hard to believe that nearly 24 years have passed since I walked into MiniCo’s headquarters in Phoenix for the first time. I had just moved here from California, where I worked for a fashion lifestyle magazine, and I had decided to work as a freelance writer instead of going back into an office full time. Then I met Hardy Good.

Little did I know how much my life was about to change. Hardy became my mentor in a new career I never thought about pursuing. He taught me the ins and outs of the self-storage industry, introduced me to the right people who could answer my endless questions, and made me feel comfortable in my new role. But above all, Hardy taught me to believe in myself, to go after what I wanted with an “I can do this” attitude, and to love what he so often called “Your Industry and Mine.”

It is my distinct honor to feature Hardy in this month’s cover story. Starting on page 40, you will read about the early days of the industry, how it has changed over the last five decades, and where one of self-storage’s pioneers thinks it is headed in 2024! This is a must-read article that I know you will enjoy.

On another note, the 2024 Expense Guidebook is now available! First published in 2004, the Self-Storage Expense Guidebook was the result of numerous requests from readers of the annual Self-Storage Almanac who were looking for additional information regarding operating expense data for self-storage properties. Since its inception, the Expense Guidebook has become one of the most sought-after products produced by Modern Storage Media. In fact, it has become the industry’s leading source of self-storage operating expense information. For additional details, click here, or you may call Carlos Padilla at (800) 352-4636.

In closing, we hope you enjoy this edition of Messenger. And, of course, I would be remiss without saying, thank you, Hardy Good, for giving me the most incredible opportunity 24 years ago! It has been a wild and wonderful journey … in your industry and mine!