4 Small Businesses You Can Run From a Self Storage Unit

We’re all familiar with self-storage units and there is a pretty good chance that we have all used one at some point in our lives.

Whether it’s for storing paperwork, old and unwanted possessions, excess furniture, or simply some memorabilia that we just can’t throw away – units all over the world are filled with our belongings.

Knowing and using storage units has become widely popular and accepted, but they provide much more potential and various opportunities. For example, there are certain types of businesses that can run based on a self-storage unit.

If you wonder how, and why, and you want to learn more, just keep reading.

Why Run a Business From a Self Storage Unit?

First of all, when it comes to setting up and running a business, you simply can’t avoid serious planning and organizing. With that said, it’s natural that you will need to do an extensive research on the self-storage market in order to find the unit and the facility that can provide you with exactly what you need.

You need to make sure the location of the facility is acceptable, as most of the storage facilities are usually placed away from city centers. Think about what type of business are you running, and how much does the location impact it.

Also, the safety of the facility is essential. It should have installed alarms, CCTV, individual lock systems and security personnel, especially if you’re planning on running the business that calls for expensive equipment.

Always check what kind of policies for storage unit based businesses they have in order to make the best possible business plan in advance.

Once you’ve finally decided on the facility you’re going to use, and once you have fully understood the policies and services they offer, you get to set up your business. Why? Well, experts list just some of the benefits:

• Increased space flexibility – If there’s a place with enough space, it’s a storage facility. If you’re planning on running a larger business extra space may be necessary. Sturdy boxes like Boomerang boxes for hire may be a great solution when transferring all the extra equipment into the storage units or when trying to create additional space and adapt the units to fit user specifications.
• Reduced costs – Operating a business from a self-storage unit is quite a move if you’re thinking about saving up some money. Overhead costs are dramatically lower, and the utility bills and monthly rent are also way lower than any area you might find downtown or in the business district.

Which Businesses Can Be Run From a Self Storage Unit?

There are some types of businesses that are more suitable for this model than others, simply because of their nature. Here are just some of them you may take into consideration.

E-commerce

It doesn’t matter if you’re selling on eBay, Etsy, Amazon or your own website, e-commerce needs space. If you want to avoid getting your house completely filled up with stock, self-storage units are a great solution. You can use your self-storage unit for listing, storing and even shipping items.

Photo/Video Producer

A good self-storage unit can very easily be transformed into a video or a photo studio, with green screen and proper lighting. If the unit is large enough, you can even set up your desk and computer equipment so you can work on the material right on the spot.

Handyman

If you’re a Mr. or Mrs. Fix It, then a storage unit can really help you out significantly. This along with other supply it’s the perfect solution for storing all those tools and necessary equipment, and it can even be your base of operations. Some facilities provide garage services as well, so your working vehicles can also be parked there so you can operate directly from your unit.

Content Writer

We all know that writing is a creative process that calls for peace and quiet. It’s something that calls for a lot of dedication and as little distraction as possible. Knowing that not all storage units are metal containers, but that there are different types equipped with the infrastructure needed for small IT bunkers, you can understand how a self-storage unit can be a great place for a writer to find all the needed concentration for work.

Conclusion

So, basically – there’s a lot you can do with a self-storage unit and a good self-storage facility. You can use it for space, location, flexibility or simply because of its convenience.

However, before renting a self-storage unit you should talk with the manager and make sure they are allowing you to run a business using their facilities. Some do while others do not.

Thinking about setting up a business in a self-storage unit can be a great step for small, or sometimes even large business, so think about how it can help your business flourish.