StorChats

In this StorSuite special of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO and founder of FineView Marketing, swaps her usual red for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and takes us on the winding journey from launching a boutique marketing agency to merging with StorSuite.
From the early days of consulting for a handful of self-storage facilities to building a 60-person team combining tech, marketing, and service under one roof, Christina shares the opportunities, challenges, and leaps of faith that shaped the path.
Pour yourself a glass and join her for a candid conversation where she covers:• How FineView Marketing landed its very first client (and why it was a gamble)• The scramble that launched their custom WordPress website platform• Why service—not just technology—was always the foundation• Building API integrations before online rentals were even a thing• How cross-ownership led to a full merger with StorSuite• The growing pains and opportunities of scaling from 1 client to 60+ team members
Connect with Christina🔗 Christina on LinkedIn📧 cmalvino@storsuite.com🌐 StorSuite.com
Like, comment, and subscribe if you're into wine, self-storage, and honest conversations about building a business that evolves without losing its roots.
#PouredPerspective #VinoWithAlvino #StorChats #SelfStorage #Entrepreneurship #StorSuite #Leadership #FounderStories #MarketingToMerger
 

In this birthday special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes sits down with longtime friend and first-time business owner Bradley Elliott for a conversation about bourbon, entrepreneurship, and work ethic — all while sipping Rabbit Hole Cavehill.
 
What starts with a bottle pop quickly turns into a deep dive into Bradley’s journey from BB guns and blue-collar grind to buying his first small business: Hill Country Embroidery in Bandera, Texas. Together, they break down what it takes to run and grow a Main Street business today — from due diligence and equipment upgrades to community support and creative marketing.
 
Grab a pour and join them as they talk:
• Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon tasting notes (spoiler: it’s a good one) • How Bradley turned trailer rentals into a wedding and a business mindset • Buying an existing embroidery business vs. starting from scratch • What DTF, vinyl, and embroidery actually mean — and why it matters • Upgrading tech, improving turnaround times, and modernizing operations • Using small business to give back to the Hill Country community after recent floods
Sampled Bourbon: 🥃 Rabbit Hole Cavehill Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 95 proof. Sweet fruit, subtle vanilla, a touch of spice. Clean and smooth.
 
Support Hill Country Embroidery 🌐 hillcountryembroidery.com 📞 830-796-7806 📍 Bandera, TX🌐 Connect with Brad Elliott
 
Connect with John Manes 📧 jcmanes@storsuite.com 📞 210-818-1496 🌐 StorSuite.com
 
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe if you’re into bourbon, business ownership, and real conversations about building something that lasts.
 
 
#BourbonAndBullshit #RabbitHoleBourbon #HillCountryStrong #SmallBusiness #Embroidery #MainStreetMillionaire #StorSuite #Entrepreneurship #DTFExplained #NoBSBusinessTalk

Join Co-Founders Damon Emerson (VP of Sales & Client Success) and Scott Worden (COO) for the premiere of their podcast Bros, Brews, and Business, as they have honest conversation about their journey from the sports field to the self-storage boardroom.Grab a mug (or a can) and join them for a candid first episode where they cover:
• Why sports taught them more about business than business school ever could • The power of showing up even when you get knocked down • How coaching kids shaped their leadership style • What it really means to lead with authenticity • Learning to break free from the boxes others put you in
 
Connect with the Hosts: Damon Emerson on LinkedIn Scott Worden on LinkedIn StorSuite.com
 
Like, comment, and subscribe if you're into leadership, laughter, and unfiltered stories about building something that lasts.
 
#BrosBrewsBusiness #StorChats #FounderStories #Leadership #SelfStorageSaaS #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #FromLockerRoomToBoardroom #StorSuite

In this StorSuite special of Poured Perspective: Vino with Alvino, Christina Alvino, StorSuite CEO and lifelong entrepreneur, pours a glass of red and shares her unfiltered origin story in business, leadership, and self storage.
From the steel towns of Pittsburgh to founding a marketing agency and now leading a portfolio of brands under StorSuite, Christina opens up about the women who shaped her, the bosses who challenged her, and the legacy that fuels her drive to support the next generation of leaders.
Pour yourself a glass and join her for a bold kickoff episode where she covers:• The unexpected inspiration behind the name FineView Marketing• Family roots in entrepreneurship (no, not the mob)• The hard lessons from early bosses and bad bosses• Why women supporting women isn't optional• Creating your own seat at the table, even when one isn't offered
Connect with Christina🔗 Christina on LinkedIn📧 cmalvino@storsuite.com🌐 StorSuite.com
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe if you're into wine, self-storage, and honest conversations about building a business without losing who you are.
#PouredPerspective #VinoWithAlvino #StorChats #WomenInBusiness #SelfStorage #Entrepreneurship #StorSuite #Leadership #FounderStories

In this StorSuite special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes breaks down the most misunderstood metric in self-storage investing: the cap rate. Over a pour of Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon (because this episode deserves a classic), John calls BS on broker proformas, unrealistic expense ratios, and overpriced deals that don’t pencil out in today’s interest rate environment. If you’re buying off of cap rate - listen up.
Grab a glass and join him as he breaks down:
What a cap rate actually is - and how to calculate it
The danger of buying when interest rates exceed your yield
Why broker expense ratios are often misleading
The real numbers seasoned operators use 
How to write your own proforma and protect your investment
Sampled Bourbon:🥃 Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon – by Heaven Hill Distillery94 proof. Notes of toasted oak, baking spice, rich caramel, and a warm finish.
Connect with John Manes📧 jcmanes@storsuite.com📞 210-818-1496🌐 StorSuite.com
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe if you’re into bourbon, straight-shooting investment advice, and self-storage business strategy.
#BourbonAndBullshit #SelfStorage #CapRates #CommercialRealEstate #ElijahCraig #StorSuite #FinanceStrategy #NoBSInvesting

In this StorSuite special of Bourbon & Bullsh*t, John Manes sits down with Peter Spickenagel—owner/operator, industry veteran, and longtime friend—for a candid conversation over a pour of Rowan’s Creek Bourbon (crafted by Willett Distillery).
From touring in bands to building a self-storage portfolio from the ground up, Peter shares how a call from his mom led to a $13/hour job that launched a 17-year (and counting) career in the business.
Grab a glass and join them as they talk:
What it means to lead with relationships—not ego
Peter’s unlikely path from classical guitar to self-storage
The hustle of scaling in a recession
Tariffs, lumber, steel, and the real impact on development
Jackets, lawn care, and the art of taking pride in what you build
Sampled Bourbon:🥃 Rowan's Creek Bourbon – by Willett Distillery100 proof. Notes of vanilla, caramel, light honey, and (maybe) a few bad decisions.
Connect with Peter Spickenagel🔗 Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-spickenagel-02203216/
Connect with John Manes📧 jcmanes@storsuite.com📞 210-818-1496🌐 StorSuite.com
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe if you're into bourbon, self-storage, and stories that hit a little deeper than spreadsheets.
#BourbonAndBullshit #SelfStorage #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #RowansCreek #StorSuite #PeopleFirst #FounderStories

Welcome to the first episode of Success with Jess! Jessica Johnson is back on the mic to share battle-tested insights on how small tweaks can lead to big success in your business—and in life. Today, Jess dives into why your storage facility should prioritize renting online instead of reserving, and how this strategy creates faster move-ins, better revenue certainty, and happier custom`ers.
Whether you're in self-storage or just looking for smarter business strategies, Jess delivers actionable advice with her trademark candor (and a little humor).
🔗 For more: https://storsuite.com

In this StorSuite special of Bourbon and Bullshit, John Manes sits down with David Allan, President of Apple Self Storage, for a no-BS conversation over a pour of Rowan's Creek Bourbon (crafted by Willett Distillery). With 54 facilities and over 2.4 million square feet under management, David shares his real-world lessons on scaling from 10 to 50+ self-storage sites in Canada—and what pain points hit hardest along the way.
Grab a glass and join them as they talk:- The "lumpy" journey of scaling a storage business- Turning data into behavior-based decisions- Why tech should support people, not replace them- 🇺🇸🇨🇦 A little U.S. vs. Canada banter (Boxing Day, anyone?)- Why strategy isn’t worth much unless it reaches every level of your team
Sampled Bourbon:🥃 Rowan's Creek Bourbon – by Willett Distillery100 proof. Notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, and sweet orange peel.
Connect with David Allan📧 dallen@applestorage.com🔗 David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallan2/
Connect with John Manes📧 jcmanes@storsuite.com📞 210-818-1496🌐 StorSuite.com
👉 Like, comment, and subscribe if you’re into bourbon, storage biz strategy, and unapologetically real conversations.
#BourbonAndBullshit #SelfStorage #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #RowansCreek #StorSuite #ServiceMatters

Join StorSuite Chairman and bourbon enthusiast John Manes for the premiere of "Bourbon and Bullshit." In this episode, John sits down with Damon Emerson, StorSuite's VP of Sales and Client Success, as they share a glass from John's personal bourbon collection. They discuss industry insights, leadership lessons, and candid experiences from their careers in self-storage. Grab your favorite drink and join the conversation for an authentic, relaxed dive into the storage world.
 
Bourbon's Sampled: 
Justin's House of Bourbon: https://www.thehouseofbourbon.com/