Show Notes: https://retipster.com/146-aj-osborne/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=MGivmG-GInM Self Storage Knowledge Base: https://retipster.com/category/self-storage-investing/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=MGivmG-GInM Join Our Community: https://welcome.retipster.com/newsletter/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=MGivmG-GInM In this episode, I'm talking with AJ Osborne, CEO of Cedar Creek Capital. As someone who has been deeply immersed in the self-storage investing business over the past year, I can tell you that this guy is a well-known figure in this industry. He runs an annual event, has bought millions of square feet of storage space, has an amazing YouTube channel, and is an author, speaker, syndicator, and many other things. AJ founded a private equity company called Cedar Creek Capital because he wanted others to benefit from the same financial freedom that saved his family at a time when they needed the security most. He has been featured on top real estate podcasts and is the go-to resource for self-storage investment advice across social media platforms. In this interview, we'll talk about AJ's story, how he went from a coma to a multi-millionaire, and how he has created huge opportunities for many others in this industry. 0:00 - Intro 1:03 - Who is AJ Osbourne, and how did you get into real estate and self-storage investing? 9:51 - AJ shares his inspiring story of rebuilding his life after complete paralysis 18:29 - Do you think your paralysis experience was a gift in disguise? 24:20 - Can you achieve financial security if your income isn't recurring, permanent, and dependable? 31:39 - Do you own a co-op and property management software? 33:59 - The advantages of using Tenant Inc as a self-storage property management software 39:18 - How do you form partnerships in the storage industry? 43:59 - How many different facilities do you own and operate? 48:09 - What is your secret behind building a Multi-Million Dollar business? 51:19 - What is your best trick to finding deals? 53:33 - How to develop and maintain good relationships with business owners? 57:23 - How do brokers find off-market deals? 1:00:43 - Building a New Self-Storage Facility vs Buying an Existing One 1:03:15 - Do you conduct your own feasibility studies or use a third party for that? 1:03:47 - How long does it take to lease a new self-storage space on the market? 1:06:37 - The importance of knowing the direct correlation between prices and occupancy 1:10:31 - How often does it happen for new self-storage facilities to go out of business? 1:12:25 - Is self-storage viewed as a safe or risky investment right now? 1:16:16 - If you had to hit the reset button and start over with what you know now, what would you do? 1:20:58 - How much money does it take to get into the business of self-storage? 1:23:27 - What is Self Storage Income, and how can it help you reach financial freedom through self-storage 1:27:42 - How can you start investing with AJ’s company - Cedar Creek Capital? 1:29:23 - What kind of return can you expect on your investment in Cedar Creek Capital? 1:32:41 - What minimum investment is required to invest with Cedar Creek Capital? 1:36:35 - How to reach out to AJ?