Self storage companies have revolutionised the ways in which small business owners run their operations. Up to 42% of the units in storage facilities are now occupied by commercial enterprises, up from 39% just two years ago.
Versatile Storage
For small businesses or start-up enterprises, being freed from the kitchen table or the spare room opens up controlled expansion possibilities along with streamlined logistics.
Stock segmentation is also an issue for some businesses. Hiran Patel, who runs e-commerce gift company Sent 4 U, uses his self storage facility like a series of mini warehouses. He also cites the flexibility as a major advantage. It’s easy to downsize when the business isn’t performing or take on more storage space during boom times.
Lowering Overheads
The cost of commercial office or storage space can be a barrier for many businesses, hampering expansion and in some cases even preventing start-up. Taking advantage of self storage options breaks down all the major financial stumbling blocks, allowing big savings when compared to more traditional business premises:
• No business rates since the storage company is responsible for those
• VAT charged on storage rooms can be claimed back
• No prohibitive warehouse costs since you only pay for the space you use regardless of size
• Fewer staff needed as some storage companies, such as Big Yellow, will sign for and take delivery on your behalf. Stock is held securely until it’s convenient for you to move it into your personal space
• Ability to combine storage and office/admin areas means savings on separate office rentals
Convenient and Efficient
Time efficiency is a major business consideration. Often, small business owners either manage diverse aspects of the business single-handedly or they run it alongside a separate job or family demands.
Self storage solved the diversity aspect for Mark Gopaul who runs Mazuki Taekwon-do, a martial arts school in London. As well as teaching, Mark wanted to sell the necessary equipment and so needed somewhere to store the stock.
He found the ideal solution in self storage as the convenient town location meant he could access stock after hours. The willingness of the facility staff to accept deliveries on his behalf while he was teaching was an added bonus.
Solving another common problem inherent in stock storage, self storage facilities also offer peace of mind when it comes to security and environmental control. Love for Local, a food and drink distributor and seller who specialise in locally sourced specialities from delis and farm shops, needed somewhere hygienic and secure.
As well as self storage ticking those boxes, owner Toby Drought was impressed with the scalability. At that in-between stage of outgrowing the home but not wanting vast storage areas, self storage allowed him to start small and expand as necessary.
Little things often make a big difference, and in Mr Drought’s case the availability of trolleys and pallet trucks made unloading vans easier. Having packing materials on hand to buy is also a handy time-saver when personal stocks run low.
Flexibility From the Start
When you don’t need lots of storage space, but still want an efficient and convenient stock system, large lockers provide an ideal stepping stone between home and bigger storage rooms. As Helen Cockle, founder of The Little Legs Company, an online children’s wear business, found, there are no penalty fees and only seven day’s notice is needed to move to a bigger or smaller space.
The flexibility and relaxed terms offered to business’s like The Little Legs Company instils confidence and a sense of control. Within three years The Little Legs Company has extended into a storage space with ten times the capacity they started with.
Given the sometimes lonely nature of running a small business, the social side of self storage is a hidden bonus. Facility staff are normally ready to chat over a coffee, and with up to 42% of sites occupied by fellow business owners, there’s even the chance to extent your network.
Drew Davies works and writes for Big Yellow Self Storage