From Paper to Cloud: How Fairfield Self Storage Automated Their Operations
First-time operators modernize a decades-old facility without tech expertise
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.
“We got Storeganise before we closed on the property. We were right there at that closing moment. We didn’t go paper and we didn’t use paper. We knew that it was not efficient.” – Denisa Goad, Fairfield Self Storage
The Challenge: Starting from Scratch
Before Storeganise, the previous owners managed everything manually:: -Monthly document updates with hand-calculated totals -No Excel spreadsheets—just Word documents -No online booking capability -Rates unchanged for 10+ years (some tenants on decade-old pricing) -No visibility into potential revenue
For first-time operators with no industry experience, this could have been overwhelming. But Denisa and JD researched their options thoroughly, watching demos and YouTube videos to understand what modern self-storage software could offer.
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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 Goa
-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
To enhance customer experience and maximize conversions, Swift Storage leverages automation:
Despite their concerns about migrating from a manual system, the transition was smooth:
Onboarding Experience:
-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
We are not tech gurus… It really wasn’t a big learning curve. The Academy worked really well. The videos walked us through many scenarios." – Denisa Goad
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.