From Paper to Cloud: How Fairfield Self Storage Automated Their Operations

Company Information

• Company Name: Fairfield Self Storage
• Head Office: Virginia, US
• Website: https://fairfieldselfstorage.storeganise.com/

Introduction

"We'd never even rented a storage unit before."

That's how Denisa Goad describes entering the self-storage industry. When she and her husband JD purchased Fairfield Self Storage in May 2025, they weren't just new to ownership, they were completely new to the industry itself.

They inherited a facility running on manual spreadsheets, paper documents, and rates that hadn't changed in over a decade. Most new operators would have continued the same way, at least temporarily. But Denisa and JD made a different choice: they went digital before even closing on the property.

Why Storeganise?

After interviewing multiple companies, Fairfield Self Storage chose Storeganise for several key reasons:

• Complete Feature Set – "Everything that we were interested in, you guys offered. You could integrate into various parts of it." – Denisa Goad
• Scalability for Growth – With 10 acres and plans to expand to additional locations, they needed software that could grow with them.
• Transparent Pricing – "Your pricing is very transparent. I appreciate that." – Denisa Goad
• Responsive Support – "We appreciated the honesty and openness. You were willing to talk at any time. Our calls were always returned." – Denisa Goad

The Transition: Easier Than Expected

Despite their concerns about migrating from a manual system, the transition was smooth:

• Manual data entry took time, but was straightforward
• Academy videos provided step-by-step guidance
• Customer support answered questions simply and quickly
• Website builder made creating an online presence easy

All-in-One Solution: Fairfield Self Storage also used Storeganise's website builder, creating a professional online presence without needing separate vendors. "We also did the website part with Storeganise. It was really good and very easy to do." – Denisa Goad

Day-to-Day Operations: Visibility & Revenue Management

The real transformation came in how Denisa manages the facility daily:

Real-Time Visibility:

"I love being able to look at the app at a glance. I can see where we stand. I can see what our sales could be versus what they are now." – Denisa Goad

Strategic Pricing:

With instant reporting, Fairfield Self Storage is strategically bringing decade-old rates up to market value:

• Currently at 70% occupancy
• Systematically adjusting rates based on market research
• Visibility into potential revenue at full capacity with current market rates

"Over time we have been slowly getting everyone up to market rates. It's nice to see at a glance what sales should be at full capacity based on current market rates." – Denisa Goad

Smart Price Increases:

Rather than shocking long-term tenants with dramatic increases, they're using data to make informed, gradual adjustments.

"One tenant mentioned it was a thirty percent increase. There had been no increase in ten years. Our market analysis showed we were still below market rates." – Denisa Goad

Active in the Community

Denisa has become an advocate for Storeganise in self-storage forums and Facebook groups:

"I focused on self storage forums and Facebook groups. I always say, you need to get in with Storeganise." – Denisa Goad

Her recommendation stems from her own experience with other operators' complaints about their software providers — issues she hasn't encountered with Storeganise.

Conclusion: Small Operation, Big Confidence

"We are a small operation. We don't have hundreds of units or locations. I could not have asked for anything easier or better. The system suits us. We would recommend you wholeheartedly. One hundred percent." – Denisa Goad

Fairfield Self Storage's story proves that you don't need industry experience or tech expertise to run a modern, efficient self-storage operation. With the right software, transparent pricing, responsive support, and educational resources, first-time operators can confidently modernize decades-old facilities and plan for growth.

The key takeaway? Don't wait. Denisa and JD didn't even wait until closing — they knew paper wasn't efficient and made the digital leap from day one.