Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Self-Serve-Kiosks.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Self-Serve-Kiosks.html To compete in today’s economic environment, many self-storage operators are turning to technology to lure customers to their facilities and provide superior service once they sign on the dotted line. Industry studies show the increasing usage of technology in facilities of all ages. Self-storage operators are employing the Internet for marketing, rental payments and online reservations. Facilities are benefiting from computer-management software, surveillance cameras accessible over the Internet, and digital video recorders. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Opportunities-in-Records-Storage.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Opportunities-in-Records-Storage.html Records storage and management is becoming a very popular ancillary service in the Self Storage Business. Many operators are discovering the benefit to their existing business of adding Records Management. Although not a new concept, it is growing in popularity as our industry looks to draw a broader customer base and generate additional revenue streams, thereby, lowering overall risk. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4788/The-Most-Important-Consideration-When-Looking-To-Join-an-Internet-Marketing-Mlm-or-Direct-Sales-Top-Tier-Company.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4788/The-Most-Important-Consideration-When-Looking-To-Join-an-Internet-Marketing-Mlm-or-Direct-Sales-Top-Tier-Company.html The most crutia element when choosing to join a Internet Marketing, Mlm or Direct Sales, Top Tier Company. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/919/Tips-on-Buying-a-Business-What-Can-You-Afford.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/919/Tips-on-Buying-a-Business-What-Can-You-Afford.html What can you afford when it comes to buying a business? Let's do a reality check here. Unless you have some incredible experience at a top level in an industry and some kind of solid personal collateral to back you up, forget those that say you can buy a business with no money. It's not true even is you get Seller financing or bank financing. Somebody is putting up the money and your history is what gets you those people who will agree to back you. And if none of your money is involved then these are mid-market to large business transactions that require loads of experience to be considered. So unless you have that kind of experience and people to back you up with their money, you need to take a reality check and think about what you can afford. This article is a sneak peek at that thought process. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4843/What-Can-Kids-Teach-Us-About-Business.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4843/What-Can-Kids-Teach-Us-About-Business.html How a 6th grader at their 1st dance can teach even the most seasoned business professional how to be persistant and never give up. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Introduction-to-Self-Storage.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Introduction-to-Self-Storage.html Self Storage Association Definition: Self Storage facilities are real property designed and used for the purpose of renting or leasing individual storage spaces to tenants who are to have access to such space for the purpose of storing and removing personal property. They offer rental on a month-to-month basis of individual spaces where customers provide their own lock and have sole access to their space. Today’s typical storage facility may comprise several one or two-story buildings on two to 6 acres of land, or a multiple-story building, containing a carefully designed unit mix of spaces. The units typically range in size from 5X5 to 10X30 feet with 30,000 to 120,000 total rentable square feet of space. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Introduction-to-Self-Storage-Development.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Introduction-to-Self-Storage-Development.html Self storage has seen some dramatic changes over the last few decades it has been in existence, especially in the last 15 years. In 1993, there were approximately 21,300 self storage facilities in the United States. Today, that number has more than doubled, with industry experts reporting roughly 60,000 facilities. Those facilities comprise more than 1.7 billion rentable square feet of storage space. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/How-to-Create-a-Self-Storage-Business-Plan.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/How-to-Create-a-Self-Storage-Business-Plan.html Now for many people, the thought of creating a business plan is akin to the fear of public speaking. However, it does not have to be such an unpleasant task, especially since we already have the information. Our personal financial statement, the project due diligence and the market analysis comprise just about all of the information needed. All we need to do is to organize this information into a coherent document. Our business plan is an opportunity to present ourselves and the deal in the best possible light. It is designed to give the lender an in-depth look at yourself as a borrower including your past successes, the reasons why this project is so strong, and the reasons it will succeed in this market. This will all be supported by facts from your research and due diligence. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Financing-Your-Self-Storage-Facility.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4373/Financing-Your-Self-Storage-Facility.html Most types of investments won’t allow the use of high leverage using the securities themselves as collateral. This makes real estate investing somewhat unique in its use of financing. The use of leverage in real estate investments is a proven method to accelerate returns and create wealth. But one must be careful not to over-leverage. As we examine a few of the various types and sources of financing available for self storage facilities, I will also point out the dangers that can result from over-leverage and pitfalls of various financing structures. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4843/What-to-Expect-When-Starting-a-Business.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Buying-A-Business/4843/What-to-Expect-When-Starting-a-Business.html What is the biggest problem in starting a business? What has the American education sytem taught us about owning a business? This article gives the author's take on what is the most important aspect for working people to understand when starting a business.