To mark International Women’s Day we are celebrating the success and contribution of women in the self storage industry.
We asked three inspiring women what advice they would give to others looking at building a career in self storage, who inspires them and how they believe the industry can embody this year’s International Woman’s Day (IWD) theme ‘March Forward’, to create more opportunities for women and drive positive change.
SSAA CEO Makala Ffrench Castelli said she was thrilled to see the growing number of women across a wide range of roles within the self storage sector year after year.
“Women have long made a lasting impact in self storage. IWD provides a great opportunity to shine a light on some exceptional women shaping self storage today.”
Jenni Lewandowski from Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage was the winner of Facility of the Year (150-500 units) in the 2024 SSAA Awards for Excellence, presented by VISY Boxes and More.
Jenni said her 10 acre family-run business near Phillip Island is built on passion, hard work and dedication. “Our facility offers safe, convenient and affordable storage for boat and caravan owners. We are living proof that you don’t need to be a big player to make a big impact,” she said.
“Built from the ground up, this win celebrates the belief that anyone can succeed with grit and heart and we hope to inspire other owner operator facilities to pursue their dreams.”
When asked which women had shaped and influenced her career, Jenni said that attending the past three self storage conventions had allowed her to connect with a variety of inspiring women in the industry.
“At my first conference, it was challenging to find many women, but seeing the growing presence of women at last year’s event was truly exciting,” she said.
“I’ve had the privilege of building connections with many women in self storage, particularly with husband-and-wife teams who successfully collaborate in growing their businesses. These experiences have been incredibly motivating and kept me striving for more success within our own business.”
Facility Manager at Keep Safe Storage, Tara White was the recipient of ‘Manager of the Year’ in the 2024 SSAA Awards for Excellence. Recognised for her financial performance and exceptional customer service, Tara is known for her personal touch in customer retention and after hours support. Her ability to lead with empathy and actively engage the Group through professional development and training helped her get the gong in last year’s awards.
When asked what advice she would give to women looking to build a career in the self storage industry today, Tara said it was important to take a personal approach.
“Your customers are all human, with some even going through messy situations. Be kind and make their day,” she said.
Kate Richardson, Administrative Director at Alarmquip Security Systems has been in self storage for almost 20 years. She loves the security industry and is known for working closely with owners and leaders who harness her knowledge of technology, process, people and data to ensure strategic security solutions for their businesses.
When asked what career advice she would give her younger self, Kate said she would tell herself to focus on the bigger picture. “It’s worth working towards what you truly want, regardless of what others may say or think,” She said.
“Confidence isn’t about being perfect, it’s about showing up and trying, even when it’s uncomfortable. You’ll regret not trying more than any mistakes you make along the way.”
SSAA’s Makala Ffrench Castelli said she saw plenty of opportunities for growth and leadership in the sector for women. “As an industry, we’ll continue to foster a culture of equality and inclusion through connection, education and support.”
Read on to see the full conversation with Kate, Tara and Jenni.
In conversation: three inspiring women in self storage
What advice would you give to women looking to build a career in the self storage industry today?
“I would encourage women to take the opportunity to have a significant role in the continued shaping of the self-storage landscape in Australia – it allows development of a broad range of skills from operations and management to marketing and customer service. It’s a perfect space to grow professionally and diversify your skill set.” Kate Richardson
“Take the personal approach. Your customers are all human with some even going through some messy situations. Be kind and make their day.” Tara White
“The self storage industry is a field where women can truly excel and bring a fresh perspective. It’s not just for men, women have many key strengths, such as strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and excellent people skills, all of which are essential for running a successful business. And even if you’re a mum with kids, you can absolutely thrive in this industry. With the right flexibility and support, balancing family and career is possible. If you’re a young woman who feels the industry is primarily for older men, don’t let that discourage you. With hard work, determination, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, the self storage sector could be the perfect fit for you.” Jenni Lewandowski
Which women have influenced and shaped your approach to work in the self storage industry?
“From a supplier viewpoint, Sonja Becke, National Account Manager at Visy Boxes & More. Sonja’s attitude is truly inspiring because she embodies resilience, innovation, and a customer-first mindset that drives positive change. Another exceptional influence would be Sharon Dorward, Regional Operations Manager at Storage King Group. Sharon is without a doubt outstanding, due to her unique skills, leadership, dedication, and ability to consistently exceed expectations.” Kate Richardson
“Sounds cliche but my Mum (who I am lucky enough to work with each day). My Mum is a machine in the workplace, working so hard but more importantly she is so loved by her customers.” Tara White
“Attending the past three SSAA conferences has allowed me to connect with a variety of inspiring women in the industry. At my first conference, it was challenging to find many women, but seeing the growing presence of women at last year’s event was truly exciting. I’ve had the privilege of building connections with many women in self storage, particularly with husband-and-wife teams who successfully collaborate in growing their businesses. These experiences have been incredibly motivating and kept me striving for more success within our own business.” Jenni Lewandowski
This year’s IWD theme is March Forward. How do you think the self storage industry can ‘March Forward’ to create more opportunities for women and drive positive change?
“Improving the customer experience and breaking barriers; many women in the self storage industry focus on enhancing the customer experience by offering a more personalised, compassionate service. They understand the importance of building strong relationships with clients, offering flexible storage options, support and providing clear communication in a rapidly evolving industry.” Kate Richardson
“To be honest, I think the self storage industry is extremely suited for women and is one of the few industries that does “suit” women. It is the perfect career choice for ladies needing a 9-5 career AND for those who want the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.” Tara White
“Hosting workshops or a day retreat specifically for women in self storage would be a great way to foster growth and empowerment. By featuring motivational speakers, these events could inspire women to embrace their achievements and encourage them to take on more leadership roles. Additionally, creating networking opportunities through monthly webinars or bi-annual dinners within the self storage association would help women build valuable connections and share insights. Sharing success stories and experiences with one another would also serve to inspire, motivate, and hold each other accountable for continued success in the industry.” Jenni Lewandowski
If you could give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?
“I would tell myself to focus on the bigger picture – it’s worth working towards what you truly want, regardless of what others may say or think. Confidence isn’t about being perfect, it’s about showing up and trying, even when it’s uncomfortable. You’ll regret not trying more than any mistakes you make along the way.” Kate Richardson
“Confidence and positivity is key to any job. Whatever you put your mind to you can and will do it so go for it!” Tara White
“If I could give my younger self one piece of career advice, it would be to buy a self storage business instead of my first house, haha! But seriously, I’d tell myself to surround myself with driven, like-minded individuals, stay focused on my goals, and make sure to write them down at the start of every month—then hold myself accountable for achieving them. I’d also advise finding a unique niche in the market that no one else is tapping into, and to avoid following the herd mentality. That approach would really help set me apart and drive long-term success.” Jenni Lewandowski
