The Key to Unlocking Profitable Self-Storage Investments with Katherine D'Agostino

Katherine D'Agostino stumbled into self-storage the way a lot of the best operators do — by process of elimination. After building a company to 31 employees, she knew her next venture had to be something that didn't need people, and self-storage checked every box. Now, as the founder of Storage Ninjas, she works as a feasibility consultant helping investors figure out whether a market can support new supply before a dollar goes into the ground.

Neil and Katherine cover the full spectrum: why feasibility studies aren't optional (any serious lender will ask for one anyway), how to do meaningful market research yourself before you hire a pro, and the often-overlooked art of navigating zoning departments. Katherine also shares the hard lessons from her own ground-up builds — a contractor padding subcontractor bills, an 11-month fight with a planning commission, and why she now gets zoning approved before anything else. Plus, a deep dive into boat and RV storage: why the demand drivers are completely different from traditional storage, what kind of land you actually need to make the numbers work, and why operators are leaving serious money on the table by being afraid to push rates.

Key takeaways to listen for

• [01:28] Katherine's Journey into Self Storage
• [09:17] Financing and Market Selection
• [15:46] The Importance of Feasibility Studies
• [23:36] Conducting Feasibility Studies
• [26:13] Initial Steps in Market Analysis
• [29:14] Evaluating Market Health and Attitudes
• [30:23] Budgeting and Funding Strategies
• [30:57] Boat and RV Storage Insights
• [32:06] Understanding Customer Behavior
• [33:02] Navigating Market Data and Regulations
• [36:34] Challenges and Opportunities in Boat and RV Storage

About Katherine D'Agostino

Katherine D'Agostino founded Self-Storage Ninjas, a consultancy specializing in feasibility studies for self-storage, boat and RV storage, storage condos, and flex warehouses. With extensive experience as an owner and developer of multiple storage facilities, she provides critical market analysis to help clients make informed decisions about their storage projects. Katherine is a frequent speaker at industry events and a contributor to top-tier publications. Her consultancy aims to empower clients by offering detailed, data-driven insights and long-term support throughout their development journey

Connect with Katherine

• Website: Self-Storage Ninjas
• Contact: Contact Katherine

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