5 Ways Small Businesses Use Self Storage to Grow

Running a small business is all about finding smart, cost-effective ways to grow without overextending your budget. That’s why more and more entrepreneurs are turning to self storage to solve space and logistical challenges. If you’re running a small business in Wisconsin or North Dakota, here’s how a self storage unit from Pleasant Valley Storage can help you grow more efficiently without investing in expensive real estate or warehouse space.

1. Store Inventory Without Paying for Retail Space

Whether you’re a local shop owner, a seasonal vendor, or running an e-commerce business from your home, storage space can quickly become a problem. Retail storefronts and commercial buildings charge premium rates for every square foot. With a self storage unit, you can:

• Keep extra inventory organized and secure
• Store seasonal items without crowding your shelves
• Order in bulk to take advantage of supplier discounts
• Easily access items 24/7 without interrupting your storefront flow

Example:
A boutique owner in Green Bay uses a 10x15 climate-controlled unit to store seasonal apparel and sale items that don’t fit in the store’s limited backroom. This helps keep their displays clean and uncluttered, while still offering flexibility in inventory rotation.

2. Simplify Equipment and Tool Storage for Contractors

Contractors, landscapers, roofers, and mobile service providers often have bulky gear that’s hard to store in a home garage or company truck. A drive-up self storage unit offers a secure, accessible solution to:

• Store heavy-duty equipment like ladders, power tools, and generators
• Rotate seasonal tools (snowblowers in winter, mowers in summer)
• Reduce clutter at job sites
• Protect tools from weather and theft

Bonus: With 24/7 access, your team can load and unload on their own schedule, no waiting for a shop to open.

3. Free Up Office Space and Stay Organized

Running out of room in your office? Self storage can hold:

• Archived files and documents
• Extra desks or office chairs
• Event materials, trade show displays, or signage
• Promotional products and marketing supplies

This is especially useful for service-based businesses like insurance agents, therapists, or real estate offices where storage rooms are often overrun by things that could easily live off-site.

Pro tip: Choose a climate-controlled unit for paper documents, electronics, or sensitive materials.

4. Create a Staging Area for Real Estate Professionals

Real estate agents often need quick access to furniture, artwork, rugs, and props for staging homes. Keeping these items in a storage unit allows you to:

• Rotate staging sets based on home type or season
• Store everything in one secure place
• Load and unload with easy drive-up access
• Avoid crowding your home or garage

Example:
A real estate team in Menomonie keeps a variety of neutral, high-end décor in a 10x20 storage unit. It allows them to stage homes quickly and professionally without hiring out for each listing.

5. Operate a Side Hustle Without Sacrificing Your Living Space

Running a side hustle like a furniture-flipping business, vintage resale shop, or craft-based Etsy store often means your home starts to feel more like a warehouse. A small business storage unit gives you a professional place to:

• Keep incoming product and outgoing orders separate
• Stage your work area and materials
• Store tools, raw materials, or completed projects

If your business starts to take off, simply upgrade to a larger unit to keep up with demand. No need to commit to a commercial lease.

The Storage Advantage for Local Businesses

At Pleasant Valley Storage, we understand that small business owners need more than just “extra space”. That’s why we offer:

• 24/7 gated access
• Drive-up and climate-controlled units
• Units from 5x10 to 14x60
• Month-to-month rental terms
• Facilities across Wisconsin and North Dakota

Whether you’re based in Chippewa Falls, Jamestown, Green Bay, or beyond, our locations make it easy for you to store your business tools, inventory, and supplies without the high overhead.

Ready to Grow Smarter?

Find Your Location and Rent Online. Explore business-friendly storage options near you or call us today. At Pleasant Valley Storage, we’re here to help your business run cleaner, safer, and more efficiently, one unit at a time.