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EP45: Why I Left a Profitable Wholesaling Business to Go All-In on Storage with Joe Dellefave

Storage Wins

Release Date: 01/12/2026

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...

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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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In this very special crossover episode, I sat down with my good friend Joe Dellefave on the Creative Finance Playbook podcast to share the real story of why I walked away from a highly profitable wholesaling business at the peak of COVID to go all-in on self-storage. Everyone thought I was crazy—until they saw what storage could do.

We dive into how I run nearly 900 units across multiple states with no employees, why wholesaling left me feeling stuck and overworked, and how storage helped me reclaim my time and build scalable, predictable wealth. I also break down the first deals I did—none of which used my own money—and share how creative finance, focus, and a powerful “why” made it all possible. If you’re grinding in single-family and wondering if there’s a better way, this episode is your roadmap out.


You’ll Learn How To:

  • Transition from single-family to storage investing with confidence
  • Break through limiting beliefs and start building wealth now
  • Use SBA loans, seller financing, and private capital to fund your deals
  • Find clarity on your “buy box” and attract the right opportunities
  • Operate remote storage businesses efficiently—even with a small team


What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • [0:00] From wholesaling grind to freedom—my story in a nutshell
  • [2:10] Real talk: building a business I wanted to escape from
  • [5:17] The cashflow myth of rentals and why storage made more sense
  • [7:39] The mastermind moment that sparked my big pivot
  • [11:07] The limiting beliefs that almost kept me out of storage
  • [14:15] My first $0-down deal and how it came from absolute clarity
  • [17:19] How to build trust, communicate like a pro, and close confidently
  • [19:18] Running 900 units remotely with no on-site staff
  • [22:49] The power of recession-resistant income and small market strategy
  • [25:02] Why finding the right tribe is the fastest path to success

Who This Episode Is For:

  • Wholesalers, flippers, and landlords tired of being on the hamster wheel
  • Investors looking for more scalable, predictable cash flow
  • Anyone craving a business model that gives you your life back
  • Action takers ready to make 2026 the year of their first storage facility

Why You Should Listen:

Leaving a profitable business wasn’t easy—but it was necessary. I knew there had to be a better way to create real freedom, and storage became the answer. In this episode, I share the full behind-the-scenes of how I made the leap, what it took, and why I’ll never look back. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is there more than this?“—the answer is yes. And this is your permission to go after it.

Follow Alex Pardo here:

Follow Joe here:

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/