Von and Ren Industries - 2026 Outlook
Entrepreneur Insights & Our 2026 Outlook
This update is written for investors, operators, and partners building long-term value in self-storage.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Market Shifts & VRI’s Next Moves
Hello Legacy Builders,
The self-storage industry isn’t shrinking, it’s evolving. Operators who adapt quickly will define the next wave of growth. As we head into 2026, here’s how Von & Ren Industries is positioning for what’s ahead.
1) The Storage Market Landscape Going Into 2026
Here are the key trends shaping next year:
Automation & digital tenant experience are becoming non-negotiable.
Tenants now expect frictionless service:
- online payments
- instant move-ins
- self-serve tools
- real-time communication
Facilities still operating through paper-heavy workflows or outdated systems are going to fall behind.
Smaller operators are struggling with operations.
Many mom-and-pop owners are overwhelmed by rising maintenance needs, outdated software, declining tenant engagement, and thin operational systems.
This isn’t a sign the industry is weakening — it’s a sign that opportunity is opening up for groups who know how to clean up, reposition, and run facilities at a higher level.
Value is increasingly created through operations, not just real estate.
Investors are realizing the real equity lives in:
- revenue optimization
- tenant experience
- collections systems
- marketing consistency
- automation
This is exactly where VRI excels.
2) VRI’s Strategic Focus Moving Forward in 2026
Operational excellence is our power play.
What we learned at Kelly Road in 2025 reinforced something we already believed: the fastest way to increase NOI is through tight, human-centered operations.
Going forward in 2026, we’re building the VRI Operations Playbook into a fully repeatable system:
- standardized tenant communication
- automated weekly workflows
- consistent property processes
- clean, paperless management
- a clear tenant-experience philosophy
This becomes the foundation for scale.
Software integration & financial automation.
We’re moving aggressively toward streamlined financial management through QuickBooks and Tenant Inc integration. This means:
- cleaner reporting
- faster reconciliation
- real-time visibility for owners and investors
The result is quicker onboarding, stronger decision-making, and scalable infrastructure.
Strengthening the team behind the portfolio.
Our 2026 growth strategy is rooted in strong people + strong systems.
As a company, we are committed to:
- developing every team member into a more confident, capable, and empowered contributor
- strengthening our operational, marketing, and management systems so the entire organization can run with greater clarity and consistency
- lightening leadership and departmental workloads as processes become more streamlined and systemized
- bringing on new specialists only when our internal structure is ready to support them sustainably
When our people grow and our systems mature, the company scales—together.
Strong people + strong systems = scalability.
3) Acquisition Strategy for 2026
Our goals for the coming year include:
Targeting 10 value-add self-storage facilities.
We’re targeting properties that are:
- mom-and-pop or poorly managed
- 10,000–40,000 sq ft
- operationally inefficient (with clear fixes)
- in strong demand markets
- priced realistically for today’s lending climate
Expand into consistent off-market direct-to-seller outreach.
We’ve already built a strong foundation through direct-to-seller outreach, proprietary underwriting, and relationship-driven sourcing. In 2026, we’re ready to:
- consistently source off-market leads
- build seller relationships
- run internal underwriting
- position VRI as the buyer who simplifies a seller’s exit
This is how we create our own deal flow.
4) Strengthening the VRI Brand in 2026
Our brand is becoming a core business asset. In 2026, we’re leaning deeper into:
- thought leadership content that includes reflective, end-of-year insights we’ll be sharing soon
- transparent storytelling about our growth
- documenting the real journey of building VRI
- consistently showing the humans behind the business
In a saturated digital world, this is how trust compounds.
Kelly Road / Onsite Photo
Aerial view from Kelly Road, capturing the kind of value-add facilities we’re focused on improving and scaling in 2026.
Digital Tenant Expectations
Tenants are increasingly choosing facilities based on how easy it is to pay, move in, and communicate — not just price. Our goal: make “frictionless” the baseline, not the upgrade.
5) Big Picture Goals for 2026
GOALS FOR 2026
- Strengthen our systems and operations across the company. This is the foundation of VRI Ops 1.0 — our first fully repeatable operating system. The goal is to make sure anyone on the team can step in, understand the workflows, and operate confidently.
- Prepare for long-term growth as we work toward launching our second fund. This includes continuing to mature and refine our current asset under management so it reaches its full operational potential and becomes a strong model for future acquisitions.
- Elevate the tenant experience across our portfolio. We aim to be known for being transparent, responsive, clean, tech-forward, and tenant-first in everything we do.
- Strengthen financial performance through disciplined operations. This includes cleaner collections, smarter marketing, tighter management practices, and system cleanup — all of which contribute to steady, sustainable NOI growth over time.
If you’re building in this space, we’re always interested in exchanging perspectives on what the next phase of growth looks like. And if you know an owner considering a transition in 2026, we welcome thoughtful conversations.
Build Wealth. Leave Legacy.
2026 is calling for discipline, clarity, and bold vision. If you’re building wealth with intention, you’re in the right place.
Interested in investing alongside us in 2026? Hit reply and let’s talk.
REPLYWith clarity and momentum.
Founders — Von & Ren Industries
