94: Self-Storage Investing With Michael Wagner

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast is all about self-storage investing. Erik is joined by Michael Wagner, creator of Storage Rebellion, to talk about his journey into the business and what he’s learned along the way. From finding the right deals to finding the money, Michael breaks down the entire process and gives some golden nuggets.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Self-storage investment could be right for you</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Michael spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in schooling to become a physical therapist. But with a schedule he had very little control over, Michael quickly found out it wasn’t right for him. Instead, self-storage investment caught his eye. Using a nest egg he had built up, Michael took a failing location and turned it into massive profits, and he’s now teaching others to do the same.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Listen to Erik and Michael talk about self-storage investing:</span></h3> <p><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p><strong>Michael’s journey to franchising (2:00)</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Erik introduces Michael, who shares how he got into franchising. After earning degrees to do physical therapy, Michael realized it wasn’t for him. He got into real estate investing and eventually franchising.</span></p> <p><strong>Why did Michael quit his day job? (4:16)</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Michael dove headfirst into owning his own business, quitting his day job and buying a failing storage facility that was actually losing money. Erik and Michael talk about his motivations for the sudden shift.</span></p> <p><strong>Teaching and investing (5:41)</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Michael’s focus when investing is about finding the right conditions. By being pickier in which opportunities he invests in, Michael not only makes money but still lives a free and fulfilling life. In addition to still investing, Michael teache