Storage Wins

EP30: The Secret Behind His Success (And How You Can Model It) with Leon Barnes

What if the secret to massive success in self-storage, and in life, has nothing to do with strategy and everything to do with heart? In this episode, Alex sits down with Leon Barnes, one of the most connected and respected leaders in real estate, to unpack the mindset, habits, and heart that fueled his incredible journey, from leaving corporate America to building wealth through real estate. Leon reveals how he balances faith, family, and freedom while leading at the highest level inside Collective Genius. You'll Learn How To: * Find clarity in your purpose, and why it's bigger than money * Build wealth while working a full-time job or running another business * Avoid burnout by aligning your work with what truly matters * Surround yourself with a winning community that elevates your results * Create long-term success through service, focus, and consistency What You'll Learn in This Episode: • [03:10] The moment Leon left corporate America for real estate freedom • [07:45] How purpose, not time management, drives real success • [10:55] The truth about happiness, faith, and fulfillment in business • [18:10] The three traits every top performer shares • [28:00] The power of community and why takers always lose • [34:45] How one relationship can change everything in your business Who This Episode Is For: * Entrepreneurs balancing business, career, and family * Investors ready to move from "busy" to focused and fulfilled * Anyone craving real conversations about faith, purpose, and success Why You Should Listen: If you've ever wondered how some people build thriving businesses and live with deep purpose, this episode gives you the blueprint. Leon's journey will challenge you to think bigger, give more, and surround yourself with people who call you to a higher level—because success always starts with who you're becoming. Follow Leon Barnes here: * The Collective Genius Podcast iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-collective-genius-podcast/id1803873337 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-collective-genius-podcast/id1803873337] * The Collective Genius Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3uQDSgFIaXUIwqVRijDnjr [https://open.spotify.com/show/3uQDSgFIaXUIwqVRijDnjr] * Leon Barnes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leongbarnes/ [https://www.instagram.com/leongbarnes/] * Leons Barnes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lgoner [https://www.facebook.com/lgoner] Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]

EP29: Stop Saying You're Too Broke or Too Busy to Start Storage Investing

Have you ever told yourself that you cannot start investing in storage because you lack money or time? That belief might be holding you back more than your actual situation. In this episode, Alex Pardo challenges those excuses and shows how you can start building wealth in self storage no matter where you are right now. In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo explains how anyone can buy their first storage facility even with a full time job or limited cash. He shares why mindset and resourcefulness matter more than money and how finding the right people can open doors you never thought possible. Through real stories from students in the Storage Wins community, Alex teaches practical ways to use what you already have, connect with others, and take confident steps toward your first deal. You'll Learn How To: * Identify the resources, skills, and connections you already have * Shift from focusing on what you lack to what is working for you * Find the right people instead of asking how to start * Work with others to fill financial or time gaps * Build momentum and take action toward your first storage deal What You'll Learn in This Episode: * [00:00] How to start in self storage by focusing on what you already have * [01:30] Finding your first deal even with no time or money * [03:00] Making one plus one equal eleven through the power of collaboration * [05:00] Redefining assets and discovering the hidden resources you already possess * [07:00] Applying the Gap and the Gain mindset to overcome fear and limitation * [08:30] Why finding the right "who" matters more than figuring out "how" * [12:00] Turning partnerships into powerful joint ventures for success * [17:00] Believing you are one relationship away from your breakthrough Who This Episode Is For: * Beginners who believe they cannot start because of limited time or money * New investors looking for practical and affordable ways to begin * Action takers who want to turn mindset into measurable results * People searching for community, accountability, and collaboration in investing Why You Should Listen: Success in storage investing is not about having more, it is about seeing what you already have differently. Alex shows how clarity, connection, and faith in your abilities can replace excuses with action. You are not missing resources, only the right perspective, and this episode helps you find it. Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]

EP28: How to Know If a Storage Deal Actually Makes Sense Before You Commit

Ever found a storage deal that looks perfect on paper but you cannot tell if it truly works? Many deals fail between interest and action. The key is not luck or timing but clarity, confidence, and preparation. So how do you know if a deal is worth it? In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo walks you through the complete Storage Wins Execution Framework, a step-by-step system for analyzing and acting on self-storage deals with confidence. He shares how to evaluate markets, check the numbers, calculate returns, and make offers that stand out. Through real examples and clear breakdowns, Alex helps you move from hesitation to action and understand what truly makes a deal profitable. You'll Learn How To: * Analyze a deal quickly with accuracy * Evaluate markets and identify warning signs * Calculate net operating income, cap rates, and returns * Build credibility with brokers and sellers * Move from analysis to confident action What You'll Learn in This Episode: * [00:00] Why good deals die between interest and action * [01:00] The complete Storage Wins execution framework * [03:00] Breaking fear and analysis paralysis in decision-making * [05:00] How preparation builds confidence and speed * [07:00] Quick triage: judging a deal's market and location * [10:00] Fast back-of-the-napkin deal analysis * [13:00] Spotting red flags before making an offer * [17:00] Understanding DSCR and bank financing requirements * [20:00] Crafting strong LOIs that sellers say yes to * [25:00] Winning through clarity, confidence, and consistent action Who This Episode Is For: * New investors who want to verify good deals * Action takers ready to stop overanalyzing * Storage buyers who want a reliable evaluation system Why You Should Listen Speed creates results, but clarity builds confidence. Alex reveals how preparation turns confusion into certainty so you can evaluate and close deals with assurance. The best investors do not hope a deal works—they know it does. Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]

EP27: Why Fast Investors Win Deals While You're Still Thinking About It

Ever lost a deal because someone else moved faster? In storage investing, speed isn't about luck, it's about readiness. The best investors don't hesitate when opportunity knocks. They act with confidence, clarity, and preparation. So what's slowing you down? In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo reveals how "speed to lead" separates winning investors from those stuck in hesitation. He breaks down the five foundations of offer readiness, systems, tools, and mindset shifts that let you act fast without chaos. Through real-world stories and coaching insights, Alex shows how preparation builds confidence, confidence drives speed, and speed wins deals. If you're tired of missing out while others close, this episode will change how you move forever. You'll Learn How To: * Build your offer readiness file so you're prepared to act instantly * Create credibility and confidence with brokers, lenders, and sellers * Develop your "deal squad" and funding relationships before the deal shows up * Use systems, tools, and templates to eliminate hesitation and chaos * Understand why preparation wins every time What You'll Learn in This Episode: * (00:00) Why some investors act quickly while others hesitate and miss opportunities * (01:00) The real reason good deals are lost between interest and action * (03:00) How preparation builds confidence and creates offer readiness * (04:00) A real story of how Kate went from hesitant to closing her first storage deal * (06:00) Why sellers often choose prepared buyers even when they offer less * (07:00) The mindset difference between a confident buyer and a hesitant one * (08:00) Step 1: Build your personal and business credibility file * (11:00) Step 2: Get your financing and private capital ready ahead of time * (14:00) Step 3: Define your buy box clearly so you can act with speed * (17:00) Step 4: Build your deal team with lenders, brokers, and trusted partners * (18:00) Step 5: Prepare your tools and templates before the opportunity comes * (19:00) How community and systems remove fear and confusion * (20:00) Don't wait for the perfect deal; prepare for the right one * (21:00) True speed comes from being ready, not from rushing Who This Episode Is For: * Investors who've lost deals because they weren't ready to move * Action takers who want to close with speed and confidence * Entrepreneurs ready to build momentum through preparation and clarity Why You Should Listen: Speed doesn't come from rushing. It comes from readiness. Every file you organize, every lender you connect with, and every plan you build gets you one step closer to your next deal. If you've been waiting for the perfect time, this episode is your wake-up call: success belongs to the prepared. Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]

EP26: I Thought Wholesaling Was Freedom - Then I Discovered Storage Investing with Kate Porfilio

What if the freedom you've been chasing in real estate is actually just another job in disguise? That's exactly what happened to Kate Porfilio. After years of running a marketing agency and trying wholesaling, she realized she was still stuck on the hamster wheel, trading time for money and missing the life she wanted to build. In this episode, Alex Pardo sits down with Kate to unpack how she went from burnout and self-doubt to closing her first self-storage deal, without using any of her own money. You'll hear her story of courage, community, and consistency, and how believing in herself and showing up changed everything. You'll Learn How To: * Find the confidence to take action even when you're scared or uncertain * Build powerful relationships that open doors to real estate deals * Fund your first storage deal without using your own capital * Overcome imposter syndrome and shift from "Can I?" to "I will" * Use community and coaching to fast-track your first big win What You'll Learn in This Episode: * (00:00) The simple mindset shift that changes everything * (01:00) Why wholesaling wasn't the freedom Kate expected * (03:00) The moment she discovered storage investing * (05:00) How she overcame her fear and skepticism about coaching * (08:00) The role of community and accountability in her success * (13:00) How Kate closed her first deal without using her own money * (20:00) Why building relationships is the secret weapon of storage investors * (27:00) The biggest lesson she learned about trusting herself * (34:00) Kate's message for anyone afraid to take the leap Who This Episode Is For: * New investors tired of spinning their wheels in wholesaling or flipping * Entrepreneurs craving a business that actually gives them freedom * Anyone on the fence about coaching or scared to take the first step Why You Should Listen: If you've ever felt stuck or doubted whether you have what it takes, this episode will inspire you to move forward anyway. Kate's story proves that courage, community, and imperfect action can create massive results, even if you're starting from scratch. Her journey is proof that your first step can lead to a completely new path to freedom. Follow Alex Pardo here: * Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ [https://alexpardo.com/] * Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 [https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15] * Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 [https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25] * Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] * Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ [https://storagewins.com/] Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/]