In this week’s episode of the Self Storage Insight Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with Damon Emerson, Vice President of Sales and Customer Success at StorSuite, to unpack his 19-year journey through nearly every corner of the self storage industry. From call center operations to tenant insurance, from marketing to third-party management, Damon has seen the business evolve from every angle — and he brings a refreshingly transparent approach to serving both owners and tenants.
Damon shares how an unexpected corporate layoff early in his career led him into storage, and how relationships became the foundation of his success. After helping build tenant protection programs that reshaped the industry, he joined forces with industry leaders John Manes, Robbie Dunn, and Christina Alvino to create StorSuite — a company designed to give owners clearer information, better training, and more control across four key “suites”: tenant protection, marketing, tech, and third-party management.
A major focus of the conversation is the difference between traditional tenant insurance and the modern protection programs operators offer today. Damon stresses that revenue should be a byproduct — not the primary goal. The real value, he says, is protecting tenants, reducing owner liability, and eliminating the frustration that often comes from unclear claims processes. His philosophy is simple: tenants and owners deserve equal transparency, and any program worth using should reflect that.
James and Damon also dive into the challenges operators face with marketing and digital presence. Many owners rely on low-cost, cookie-cutter websites without realizing the long-term impact on rental flow, SEO, or Google Ads performance. Damon explains how StorSuite’s marketing team diagnoses these gaps, rebuilds websites when needed, and provides the ongoing support owners rarely receive elsewhere. Real results, he notes, come from analytics, patience, and true partnership — not quick fixes.
The discussion then shifts to third-party management and the need for operators to ask better questions when evaluating partners. With industry veteran Mike Lotta leading StorSuite’s management arm, Damon explains why growth must be thoughtful, not rapid — because one small management issue can quickly become a big one. Their approach emphasizes audits, software optimization, occupancy strategy, revenue potential, and long-term operational stability.
Looking ahead, Damon highlights technology and AI as major forces shaping the future of storage, but warns that tech should support — not replace — human connection. Tools like Store Pass improve communication, streamline rentals, and reduce manager workload, but “a warm body,” as Damon puts it, will always play a role in delivering empathy and real customer service.
For operators looking to understand tenant protection, strengthen their marketing, outsource management, or explore new tech tools, this episode offers both clarity and practical direction. Tune in to the Self Storage Insight Podcast to hear the full conversation and explore more ways to elevate your facility’s performance.