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EP41: How Alex Bought His First Two Storage Facilities With Zero Dollars

Storage Wins

Release Date: 12/22/2025

S2E17: Win in Business Without Sacrificing Your Life show art S2E17: Win in Business Without Sacrificing Your Life

Storage Wins

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel take a step back from tactics and dive into something even more important: how to pursue your first deal without losing sight of what matters most. As Dan gets closer than ever to closing, the pressure begins to build—and with a new baby on the way, the tension between business and life becomes very real.   This conversation goes beyond self-storage and into the internal game every entrepreneur faces. The fear of not moving fast enough. The comparison to others. The belief that more time equals more success. And the pressure we...

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Storage Wins

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel break down what they call the “secret weapon” for standing out in a competitive deal environment: the buyer info sheet. As Dan continues building momentum and getting real traction with sellers and brokers, this one-page document becomes a key factor in shifting how others perceive him—from just another unknown buyer to someone credible, relatable, and capable of closing.   What makes this conversation powerful is how simple the strategy is—and how few investors actually use it. While most buyers submit offers that are...

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Storage Wins

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel unpack a painful but powerful lesson: a deal that slipped through Dan’s hands that would have produced over six figures in annual cash flow with no money out of pocket. What makes this moment so impactful isn’t just the loss—it’s the realization that the deal was misunderstood, not unavailable.   They break down exactly what went wrong in the analysis, how focusing too narrowly on one exit strategy caused Dan to overlook a highly profitable opportunity, and why understanding multiple deal paths—especially long-term cash...

info_outline S2E14: The Buy Box Rule That Instantly Filters Good vs Bad Deals Storage Deals show art S2E14: The Buy Box Rule That Instantly Filters Good vs Bad Deals Storage Deals

Storage Wins

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel walk through the current state of Dan’s deal pipeline, including one opportunity that’s verbally accepted and moving toward contract, and another that requires deeper analysis to determine if it’s actually worth pursuing.   As the conversation unfolds, Alex highlights the importance of clarity—specifically having a defined Buy Box Blueprint—and how that clarity allows Dan to quickly identify when a deal fits his long-term goals versus when it should be positioned as a wholesale opportunity. This distinction becomes...

info_outline S2E13: The Breakthrough That Led to His First Storage Investment Deal show art S2E13: The Breakthrough That Led to His First Storage Investment Deal

Storage Wins

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel break down a major milestone in the journey: Dan officially gets his first self-storage facility under contract. But what makes this moment even more powerful isn’t just the deal—it’s the shift in thinking that made it possible.   After completing a full time audit and validating that his days are focused on the right activities, Dan shares how tracking his time, doubling down on revenue-generating actions, and staying consistent led to real traction. From there, the conversation shifts into the breakthrough that unlocked...

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Storage Wins

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo coaches Dan Wentzel through a live deal situation involving a small self-storage facility where the seller verbally accepted an offer but is now reconsidering after speaking with his spouse. Together, they break down what’s actually happening beneath the surface of the negotiation and how investors should respond when sellers hesitate or ask for more money.   Rather than focusing purely on numbers, Alex explains the importance of leverage, positioning, and communication. He walks Dan through how to frame conversations with sellers, why it’s...

info_outline S2E11: Controlling the Actions in Your Business by Controlling Your Calendar show art S2E11: Controlling the Actions in Your Business by Controlling Your Calendar

Storage Wins

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo challenges Dan Wentzel to confront one of the biggest hidden obstacles investors face: lack of intentional control over their calendar. After reviewing the previous week, it becomes clear that progress isn’t just about knowing what actions to take—it’s about protecting the time required to execute those actions.   Alex explains why operating without a clear plan is like being a leaf in the wind—reacting to whatever comes your way instead of intentionally directing your week. Together, they unpack the importance of structuring your...

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Storage Wins

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel have a candid conversation about what happens when life gets in the way of progress. After building momentum with several promising storage opportunities, Dan hits a week where things slow down and the rhythm breaks.   Instead of ignoring it, Alex uses the moment as a coaching opportunity to talk about resilience, mindset, and how successful investors respond when plans get disrupted. They unpack why resistance is inevitable when you commit to a goal, how to remove emotional pressure from the process, and why consistency always...

info_outline S2E9: How to Build Your Deal Flow Systems to Prevent Losing Deals show art S2E9: How to Build Your Deal Flow Systems to Prevent Losing Deals

Storage Wins

If episode eight was about creating leverage and increasing deal flow, episode nine is about building the systems that keep deals from slipping through the cracks.   In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo continues coaching Dan Wentzel as momentum begins to build. Dan now has multiple legitimate storage opportunities in his pipeline, and the conversation shifts from simply generating leads to managing them effectively.   Alex walks Dan through the importance of having a clear lead intake process, a consistent follow-up system, and a structured way to track offers and key...

info_outline S2E8: Delegation That Lead to 4 Storage Deals show art S2E8: Delegation That Lead to 4 Storage Deals

Storage Wins

If episode seven was about converting conversations into contracts, episode eight is about increasing deal flow — and knowing how to analyze opportunity when it hits your desk.   In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel break down what happens when consistent action finally compounds. After months of hesitation, Dan hires a virtual assistant — and within two weeks, four legitimate storage opportunities land in his pipeline.   Alex and Dan unpack why hiring a VA took eight months, what mindset blocks were holding Dan back, and how leveraging the Storage Wins...

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More Episodes

Think you need tons of cash or a perfect credit score to invest in storage? Think again. In this episode, I share the real stories—and real numbers—of how I bought my first two self-storage facilities using zero dollars out of my own pocket. And I’m not alone. One of my coaching clients, Casey, followed the same roadmap and closed on two storage deals within nine months—both with seller financing and no money down.

I walk you through the exact steps I took to find the deals, fund them creatively, and build strong, cash-flowing assets without the headaches of tenants, toilets, and trash. Whether you’re just starting out, feel stuck financially, or think this isn’t possible for you, this episode is going to blow your mind and show you what’s actually doable—even if you’re brand new.

 

You’ll Learn How To:

  • Fund storage deals without using your own money
  • Tap into seller financing, private lending, and SBA loans
  • Identify and find mom-and-pop owned storage facilities with simple tools
  • Build relationship capital that becomes your most valuable resource
  • Scale without complexity using a proven, repeatable process


What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • [2:55] How I transitioned from burnt-out wholesaler to storage investor
  • [5:17] Why storage beats single-family for cashflow and simplicity
  • [7:41] Forced appreciation: how to increase value without waiting on comps
  • [12:20] The power of lien laws vs. long eviction battles in single-family
  • [14:42] Case study #1: My first $0-down deal with $350K raised through relationships
  • [17:05] Case study #2: Seller financing 90% and doubling cashflow potential
  • [19:24] Case study #3: 100% funded by private lenders, sold for a $700K profit
  • [21:51] How to use Google Maps and direct mail to find off-market, mom-and-pop storage deals
  • [26:37] The $150K deal from a letter a seller held onto for 2 years
  • [29:04] Casey’s story: two facilities in nine months, both 100% seller financed


Who This Episode Is For:

  • Anyone who thinks they need cash or experience to get started
  • Real estate investors looking for more time freedom and less stress
  • Wholesalers and flippers tired of chasing deals every month
  • Beginners ready to take action and buy their first facility


Why You Should Listen:

I’ve done it. Casey’s done it. And you can too. This episode is your real-world proof that funding is not your problem—it’s your belief. When you apply relationship capital, creative financing, and the right process, you can buy your first (or next) facility sooner than you think. This episode lays out the blueprint—now you just need to take action.

 

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Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/