Best AJ Osborne Podcasts (2025)

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36. How I Predict the Outcome of (Almost) Every Investment I Buy (4M Framework) 36:27

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15d ago36:27

36:27

I have a framework that tells me which investments (and businesses) have the highest odds of succeeding. I’ve used this framework to build multiple $10M+ businesses and own a $100M+ real estate portfolio. I didn’t do this all by luck, and it isn’t because I’m a genius. It’s all because of this simple framework that anyone can use, with any budget, …

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326. He Left His 20-Year Dentistry Practice for Self Storage (And Would Do It Again) with Wayde Elliott 48:24

1d ago48:24

48:24

Self storage investing isn’t always smooth sailing, but the market tends to reward those who stay the course. From wild construction-site break-ins to complex newspaper-building conversions, this self storage investor has seen it all—yet he’s still built a multimillion-dollar storage business that supported his family after a health incident took a…

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325. From Corporate to Cash Flow with 4 Self Storage Facilities (All Self-Managed) 35:01

3d ago35:01

35:01

After one self storage investment, Darren and Jyoti Osten knew they wanted out of residential real estate. They had bought rental properties, a fixer-upper, and an apartment building, but none were as profitable or passive as self storage investing. Now, six years later, they have four self storage facilities and a small, but stable, portfolio that…

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324. 3 Self Storage Loans We’re Using Today (SBA, Seller Finance, Private Money) 52:39

13d ago52:39

52:39

Financing is a necessary hurdle to clear when buying a self storage facility, and in this market, it’s more crucial than ever to explore all your self storage loan options and get creative when structuring deals. The good news is, you likely have even more negotiating power today than in years past! In this episode, AJ and Conner are pulling back t…

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323. Why This Husband and Wife Bought Storage Instead of Rentals (No Regrets) 37:19

22d ago37:19

37:19

This husband and wife skipped rental properties and went straight to self storage investing. They kept hearing the regrets from other investors saying “we wish we scaled faster.” So, why wait to scale to bigger properties when you can just buy them from the start? That’s exactly what Matthew Rojas and Jingwen Ni did, and they have zero regrets. It …

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322. Self Storage Financing for Beginners: How to Fund Your Next Deal (Fast) 54:20

28d ago54:20

54:20

You’ve found a self storage deal, but to get to the closing table, you’re also going to need a lender. For many new investors, self storage financing is the most intimidating part of the process, but in this episode, Conner and George will share everything you need to know to get your first or next self storage facility fully funded. The truth is t…

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35. The Great Stock Divergence: Why Prices Aren’t Matching Reality 12:33

29d ago12:33

12:33

This looks a lot like the Dot-com bubble. Stock prices are hitting record highs, but their valuations are starting to diverge from reality. Americans are scared they’ll miss out on the rise of AI, so they’re pouring cash into the market in record amounts. Meanwhile, price-to-earnings ratios are inching nearer to Dot-com bubble levels. How close are…

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321. How We (Remote!) Manage Our 19-Facility Self Storage Business 1:07:30

1M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

You can live hundreds of miles away from your self storage facility and still run it successfully. Just hear from Bill DeWaal and Korbin Smoot, founders of Better Self Storage. They’ve got 19 facilities across multiple states and run self storage management to perfection with a team of VAs, a director of operations, and without having to fix, overl…

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320. How to Make Offers on Self Storage Facilities (LOI vs. PSA) 43:45

1M ago43:45

43:45

You’re about to make an offer on a self storage investment. You’ll need two things: an LOI (letter of intent) and a PSA (purchase and sale agreement). You may need to use one or the other or both, depending on your situation, but not having these two contracts could be stopping you from getting your first or next deal done. Today, AJ and Conner exp…

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34. The Meeting of the Mind: What I Experienced While Paralyzed 42:14

1M ago42:14

42:14

This is about to get weird. I’m opening up about something that has only been shared in very private circles. As some of you know, years ago, I was comatose and paralyzed for months, unable to move or communicate, stuck in a hospital bed, with only my thoughts. Deep into my paralysis, strange things began to happen—breakthroughs I didn’t know were …

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319. Self Storage’s $100 Million Opportunity is Here 38:08

2M ago38:08

38:08

This is the biggest opportunity in self storage since 2008. Last time we were at this stage in the cycle, I was on the cusp of building a $100M+ self storage business. I bought when conditions were almost identical to what we’re seeing today, and now, I’m gearing up to buy even more. But here’s the best part: beginners can get in on this, too. Toda…

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318. The BIG Opportunities Small Investors Have in 2026 That REITs Can’t Touch 1:05:29

2M ago1:05:29

1:05:29

What happens when interest rates spike, self storage demand dips, and REITs start a race to the bottom with rent prices? You’ve got the current state of the self storage industry, with shifting market dynamics that have made things difficult for smaller investors over the last few years. The question now is, where do we go from here? Interest rates…

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33. This One Thing Will Make or Break a Commercial Real Estate Deal w/Kevin Bupp 42:34

2M ago42:34

42:34

There’s one thing that separates a “good” commercial real estate deal from the rest—and you have complete control over it. Get it right, and your returns are much closer to being locked in. Get it wrong, and you could have a cash-draining property on your hands. Kevin Bupp, 20+ year investing veteran and mobile home park and parking lot expert, is …

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317. We Bought 6 Self Storage Facilities While Working Full-Time 47:25

2M ago47:25

47:25

By AJ Osborne

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316. How to Analyze a Self Storage Facility from Scratch (6 Steps) 1:03:05

2M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

How do you know your first or next self storage investment is worth the money? This is how you do self storage analysis in six steps, even if you’ve never invested in storage before. With the most basic of numbers, you can analyze a self storage facility to see if it’s a worthwhile deal. And you don’t need any experience in commercial real estate o…

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32. How to Start Your Own Business (and Replace Your Salary) with George Mortimer 1:00:33

2M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Want to start a business and begin working for yourself? This is how you do it. You don’t need to (and actually should not) invent a product or create a new type of service or technology. You can work for yourself simply by doing what you do right now at your job or what you’re interested in. Becoming your own boss enables you to earn more money, l…

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315. Self Storage Could Be the Biggest Winner of Lower Interest Rates 25:35

3M ago25:35

25:35

This is the biggest thing to happen to the self storage industry in years. Last week, the Fed made their much-anticipated decision to cut rates. In the weeks leading up to the decision, interest rates fell sharply, reigniting the homebuying process for hundreds of thousands of Americans sitting on the sidelines. Rate cuts and mortgage rate declines…

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31. The Fed Just Reset the Economic “Cycle” 39:06

2M ago39:06

39:06

The long-awaited Fed announcement is here. After the recent Fed meeting, where we got more clarity on rate cuts, the economic “cycle” seems to have been just reset. This will have significant consequences for the economy and prime specific industries for a resurgence. If you own any of these assets or work in any of these sectors, you could be ridi…

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314. Buying Your First Self Storage Facility While Working Full-Time w/Braedon Haertling 54:30

3M ago54:30

54:30

This one small-town storage facility has made today’s guest over $500,000. And if you’re interested in buying your first storage facility, there’s no better inspiration than this. With one self storage investment, Braedon Haertling has added another 9-5-sized income stream and increased value by close to $1,000,000, all while working a full-time jo…

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30. Why the Masses Miss Every Wealth-Building Opportunity 43:27

3M ago43:27

43:27

If you can’t fix this, you’ll never be wealthy. The 99% move like a herd, and the masses scream in fear, duck for cover, and sell in lockstep during every major recession, crash, and recovery. This is why most Americans (or people on Earth, for that matter) will never be wealthy. By letting their fear take over during times of opportunity and their…

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313. 12 Red Flags of a Risky Self Storage Investment (& How to Avoid Them) 1:02:16

3M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Buying a storage facility? Make sure you spot any of these 12 self storage investing red flags. If you’re able to avoid them successfully, you could be buying a killer next investment, with high occupancy, high rates, and steady cash flow. After investing in dozens of self storage facilities, with millions of rentable square feet, we’ve nailed down…

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312. The Final “Wave” of Self Storage Investing Is Here 24:25

3M ago24:25

24:25

The final wave of wealth creation in self storage is here. After this, smaller investors will have a very tough time breaking into the industry. I already missed out on the first wave, but successfully rode the second. Now, the self storage swell is starting again, but this time, small, medium, and large self storage investors will all benefit. Are…

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311. First Investment? Why You Should Buy a Self Storage Facility 47:56

4M ago47:56

47:56

With so many investment options—single-family homes, duplexes, the stock market—it’s easy to overlook self storage. But the truth is that a self storage facility is one of the best first investments, and you’re about to find out why. Whether you’re just starting your investing journey or looking to diversify your portfolio, storage could be a super…

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29. How AI Could Trigger the Next Great Depression 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

AI could trigger a new economic crisis—the next great depression—and most people are ignoring it. I’m not just talking about job loss or automation replacing salaries. There’s a much deeper problem—one that could erode the last remnants of stability in the US economy and government. Is AI taking jobs? Yes. But that’s just one of our worries. “Secon…

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310. Complete Walkthrough of Our Newest Self Storage Purchase (Financials) 53:32

4M ago53:32

53:32

Today we’re giving a complete financial walkthrough of our newest self storage investment. From purchase price to rental income, return numbers, and how we’re funding it, this is a complete breakdown of a facility that could very well be bringing in $1,000,000/year in the near future. This was not only a deal but a steal, and proves that there are …

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309. Self Storage Demand 101: Know What (and What Not) to Buy 51:47

4M ago51:47

51:47

Self storage demand—quite frankly, the most important factor when buying a self storage facility. Get it wrong, and you could lose tens or even hundreds of thousands when you sell. Get it right, and you’ve got cash flow, huge value-add potential, and the formula for a winning facility. This is the make-or-break of self storage, and even the newest …

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28. Top 100 Advisor: How to Invest During Market Chaos w/Adam Koós 48:28

4M ago48:28

48:28

The stock market crashed in March, but now it’s back to all-time highs. You might have sat frozen, waiting for a recovery or a better buying opportunity. Chances are, you didn’t make any moves that made you richer. Was that a mistake? During “trendless” markets like these—where price swings feel random and directionless—most Americans sit on the si…

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308. How to Run a Small Self Storage Facility (and Automate It!) 56:14

4M ago56:14

56:14

Investing in small self storage facilities is how almost everyone gets started. It’s where we began investing and probably where you did (or will), too. But sometimes small is a little too small. With too few doors, your expenses can quickly outweigh your revenue. Too big and you need to hire a manager. What’s the “sweet spot” in square footage tha…

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307. Then vs. Now: How the Self Storage Industry Changed 50:06

4M ago50:06

50:06

The self storage industry is changing once again. A new cycle has already emerged, and we’re back to a familiar era of lower occupancy—but with it come better deals to be found. The market is drastically different from when we first started in the 2000s. Still, whether you’re a brand-new self storage investor or a massive private equity firm, the f…

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27. How to Raise Capital for Real Estate (Without Going to Prison) w/Mauricio Rauld 1:02:49

5M ago1:02:49

1:02:49

For over a decade, as I built my portfolio, I didn’t raise capital from outside investors. Why? I didn’t want to take the risk. Raising capital for real estate is something you cannot afford to get wrong. No one wants to end up in prison because they funded a deal the wrong way. Good news? I’ve got SEC attorney and good friend Mauricio Rauld here t…

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306. $350K/Year Cash Flow from Our FIRST Self Storage Development (How We Did It) 51:30

5M ago51:30

51:30

What goes into a self storage development deal? You’re about to find out! Today, we’re breaking down the first self storage facility we ever built—everything from the property’s financials and the construction timeline to how we ultimately turned a $4.3-million project into a $13-million self storage business that generates over $350,000 in annual …

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305. Self Storage Secrets from 20+ Years of Ownership (100+ Facilities!) w/Kenny Pratt 1:02:00

5M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

Want to increase revenue at your self storage facility? Want tenants who will stay the longest and pay the highest rents? Today’s guest owns over 20 self storage facilities and has managed more than 100. He’s so good at what he does that we’ve even brought him on to help with our bigger facilities. In this episode, he shares his playbook for attrac…

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26. I Built My Business to “Fail,” Now It’s Worth Hundreds of Millions 34:06

5M ago34:06

34:06

Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter Markets are volatile. Whispers of a recession are getting louder. Some industries—like commercial real estate—are already in recession. This has been one of the most difficult market cycles for business owners and self storage investors to navigate. Want to know how to start a busines…

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304. Appraisals 101: How to Value a Self Storage Facility (Step-by-Step) w/Tim Garey 47:24

5M ago47:24

47:24

Want to know how to value a self storage facility? Stick around and we’ll show you! In this episode, seasoned appraiser Tim Garey breaks down the entire valuation process—and shows you how to get the right valuation. With more than twenty years of experience, Tim oversees a team of thirty appraisers nationwide at Cushman & Wakefield’s Self Storage …

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303. Building a Self Storage Facility in 2025: What to Know Before You Start 59:28

5M ago59:28

59:28

Building a storage facility may be easier now than it has been in the past five years. With so much of the competition out of the market, top-tier building companies are completing projects faster. And with higher tariffs on pause, now may be one of the best times to lock in pricing before they rise again. But maybe this is your first storage facil…

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25. How to Start an AI Vending Machine Business That Makes Thousands Per Month w/Michael Hoffmann 30:42

6M ago30:42

30:42

This investor makes tens of thousands a month from his “AI vending machine” business. A business so simple a teenager could run it—and make more than most Americans do at their day job. We’re not talking about those old vending machines in the back of bowling alleys selling Cokes for $1.50. We’re talking about an AI vending machine business plan th…

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302. Self Storage Income: Find Deals, Lenders, Partners at Self Storage’s “One-Stop Shop” 36:51

6M ago36:51

36:51

Want to invest in self storage but feel like you're on an island? You don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’re buying your first self storage facility or looking to scale your portfolio fast, we have tools, resources, and, most importantly, a community to tap into—stick around and we’ll show you how to find everything you need! In today’s episod…

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301. How Your Facility Can Make MORE Money with LOWER Occupancy w/Jonah Hall 1:06:33

6M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

Occupancy is often regarded as one of the most crucial metrics for self storage operators—but that’s a mistake. While we’d love for our facilities to be 100% full with the highest-paying customers in the area, this is rarely the case. In fact, higher self storage occupancy rates could be slowly killing your facility, making you less money and lower…

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300. Make More, Do Less: Hiring Your FIRST Self Storage Employee 1:16:55

6M ago1:16:55

1:16:55

Whether you’ve got one self storage facility or twenty, you own a self storage business. And, if you’re like most of us, you want to keep growing. But you can’t be the one changing the locks, picking up the phone calls, answering the emails, and repairing the units while building your portfolio. If you’re doing this, you’re on track to have just an…

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24. Parenting in a Petri Dish: Raising Independent Kids When the System Falls Short w/My Wife Tessa Osborne 1:02:05

6M ago1:02:05

1:02:05

The parenting playbook is changing. Raising independent children has only gotten harder as family units drift apart, grandparents remain out of the picture, schools fail to teach financial literacy for kids, and overprotective helicopter parenting becomes the new norm. But just because society is heading in one direction, doesn’t mean your family h…

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299. The New Investor’s Cheat Code for Finding Self Storage Deals (In SECONDS) w Noah from Tract IQ 1:00:28

6M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

The self storage industry has a data problem. How do you narrow down self storage deals? Which metrics matter when analyzing markets? How do you even find self storage data? These are just a few questions new investors have asked but have long gone unanswered…until now. Today’s guest is tipping the scales toward small investors and giving them the …

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298. How to Scale (Fast) from ONE Small Self Storage Facility to Financial Freedom 46:12

7M ago46:12

46:12

Is buying self storage facilities a surefire path to building wealth? In this episode, we’ll show you why buying a small, mom-and-pop operation might be the perfect alternative to residential real estate. For those who don’t want the tenant headaches of long-term rentals or the unpredictable income of short-term rentals, this episode is for you! To…

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297. How Much Does It Pay to Have a Cell Tower on Your Property? with Hugh Odom of Vertical Consultants 51:35

7M ago51:35

51:35

How much does it pay to have a cell tower on your property? Most self storage owners don’t realize that cell tower leases can be extremely profitable. But they can also bind you to a long-term agreement that might not be in your best interest. How do you get the best of both worlds: an extra income stream plus a cell phone tower lease that gives YO…

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23. Dan Martell: The “Clear” Vision That Creates Successful Companies 52:19

7M ago52:19

52:19

Dan Martell learned how to program at age 17 while in rehab. He traded one addiction for another—starting scalable, successful, profitable software companies. You might know him from his book Buy Back Your Time, where Dan shares the secret to building a business empire that frees you from the chains most solopreneurs and small business owners strug…

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296. The #1 Reason You Haven’t Bought a Self Storage Facility…Yet 42:56

7M ago42:56

42:56

Thinking of buying a self storage facility? If you’re like most people, you’ve been thinking about it for a while. You see self storage deals come up in your emails or on listing sites. You get close to pulling the trigger, but haven’t quite gotten there yet. What’s the deal? Why does it seem so hard to finally buy your first self storage facility?…

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295. May 2025 Self Storage Update: Markets Crash, Storage Deals Get Even Better 49:38

7M ago49:38

49:38

The self storage industry is going through a significant shift. A few years ago, sellers were in complete control—asking wild prices and still landing buyers willing to overpay for facilities that weren’t worth it. Fast forward to today, the stock market has crashed, a recession looks likely, and those same sellers aren’t as confident. This is good…

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22. The Success “Recipe” Top 1% Families Teach Their Kids w/Scott Donnell 47:31

7M ago47:31

47:31

The wealthiest, happiest families in the world use a success “recipe” to raise their children. This leads to happier, healthier, more successful families, while most average Americans struggle to figure out how to teach kids about money. You may be used to fights and tantrums, children refusing to do their chores, and feeling forced to bribe them w…

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294. Self Storage Income: The Best FREE Resource for Self Storage Investors 49:46

7M ago49:46

49:46

When we started Self Storage Income, there were just two of us. We were quickly burning through tens of thousands of dollars a month, giving out as much free information as possible to anyone investing or looking to invest in self storage. And today, we’ve upgraded…now it’s costing us hundreds of thousands to keep this podcast and platform going. S…

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21. How I Built My $400,000,000 Business from a Wheelchair 44:24

8M ago44:24

44:24

I grew a $400 million business from scratch, in a wheelchair, and starting around the Great Recession. Almost everything was against me from the beginning. People told me my business would fail and my assets were worthless; banks laughed us out the door when we asked for funding. Then, suddenly, one day, my business needed to run on its own when I …

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293. How to Structure a Self Storage Investing Partnership (Properly) in 2025 55:52

8M ago55:52

55:52

Partnerships can be a huge net positive for your self storage business, especially if the partner brings something different to the table. Unfortunately, they’re also the number one reason self storage deals fall through, and when partnerships fail, it’s messy. Good news—today, we’ll show you how to set up your partnership for success. What’s the k…