Business

The Self-Storage Industry and the Fluctuation from Corona Virus

Published

3 years ago

December 26, 2022

In recent years, the self-storage industry in the United States has been largely dependent upon what insiders call the four D’s: death, divorce, displacement, and disaster. However, the Coronavirus pandemic, combined with reckless expansion and aggressive competition, resulted in what seems to be a few recession-proof elements of the commercial real estate industry.

The industry has been at its peak of expansion since the last downturn because of the lockdown and quarantine period when companies and people increased their need for storage space. Gradual increases in demand and price made rivals eager to bring innovation into the industry by expanding technology and customer-focused services. For example, The Storage Group, one of the companies that provide self-storage feasibility and reliable services, was founded by Brian Pelski and Larry Hanks in 2010. Steve Lucas currently holds the charge of the CEO and managing partner. The company remained focused on innovation and brought its idea and a progressive way for succession through ClickandStor® Online Rental Suite. It was the first company to welcome the latest technology to the industry and created the first fully-integrated, online move-in platform available to the self-storage industry. As a result, The Storage Group collaborated and integrated with several companies, including Self Storage Manager, Storage Commander, Doorswap, Web Self-Storage, SiteLink, and Storage.

ClickandStor provides the most cost-effective and easiest way for the end user to rent storage and manage their online storage account. It enables the user to browse several facilities listed on its directory website clickandstor.com allowing customer access, storage rentals, reservations, payments, and more. ClickandStor is also provided on individual storage websites to make the rental process simple to navigate online. Whether customers visit the facility website or come through the online directory, ClickandStor allows them to register, digitally sign in and make all required payments without human interaction.

ClickandStor is transforming the way of self-storage businesses and their applications. With its new features and technology, users only need a cell phone or a computer to access the entire unit from the storage website, gateway access code, and payment schedules.

Value-added features of ClickandStor include a 3D value pricing map, 3D calculator, multi-lingual marketplace, enhanced security features, and more. The online rental tool provides daily 24/7 updates of inventory, units, and pricing in real time for tenants regarding reservations and rentals through integrating with the self-storage property management software systems.

Pandemic and Rents

Rents went to their heights during the pandemic. However, according to a research site, Yardi Matrix, the rates began to fall in June for new customers before one-time discounts for a 10×10 unit excluded heat and air-conditioning. To be sure, around 4.3 percent declined nationwide on an annual basis. Moreover, a fall of about 6.7 percent for climate control units was seen. Interestingly, this was the case in the pandemic only. Whereas coronavirus cases are halted around the country, the leaders are putting fewer restrictions on schools and businesses. Thereby, the industry of self-storage industry is under progress revival.

The self-storage industry started in the 1960s when consumers led businesses in America to buy more stuff than they had the capacity for. Ever since then, the industry has been in progress and steadily growing.

The rates of climate control units and without touched their height nationwide in the previous years after the demand ballooned. Americans with available income bought more stuff and realized the need for more storage places to store them.

According to IBIS World research, the number of self-storage facilities boomed nationwide and grew to more than 60,000 in 2020 from 47,000 in 2008. At the same time, the revenue increased 2.6 percent annually to $38.6 billion in 2019 from 2014.

The industry also faced numerous challenges during the pandemic, like any other business similar to the ones meant to protect residential tenants. Especially in Los Angeles, where in June, an ordinance was passed that deferring rent or late fees for self-storage will expel and ban the tenants.

Self-storage suppliers struggled with problems similar to other industries, like keeping surfaces cleaner. This varied from state to state. However, the lockdown orders were essential to follow for every business.

Revenue took a halt when rents stagnated. By the end of May, the average rent for the self-storage companies was about the same as the previous year, according to Green Street Advisors. But this did not stop self-storage companies from developing or taking a break. With the immense need, the valuation is expected to grow to $115.62 billion in 2025. According to this prediction, the compound annual growth rate would be 134.79% over the forecast period of 2020-2025, increasing the need for supportive self-storage businesses like The Storage Group.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

1 week ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.