Leadership Rooted in Experience and Openness at AAA Storage

Principles That Guide Investment and Leadership

Paul Bennett’s approach to leadership and investing at AAA Storage is built on practical wisdom gained from extensive experience in real estate—what he calls “a risky business.” Two phrases define the way he makes decisions, both for himself and his team: “When you didn’t get what you wanted, what you got was experience,” and “Unmet expectations are the root of all anger.” For Bennett, success starts with diligence, but real growth comes from learning at every turn and making sure expectations are clear and realistic from the outset.

The value of experience is no abstraction for Bennett. He recalls purchasing land outside Charlotte at the top of the real estate market in 2006, only to hold it for fifteen years: “We held that land for 15 years because we so grossly overpaid for it.” When the market shifted, Bennett refused to walk away from obligations, stating, “I've been in a risky business all my life, I'm used to that.” Instead, he honored his commitments, paid off the loan in full, and eventually developed the property when the timing finally was right. This approach reflects a deeper standard: reputation and follow-through matter just as much as the numbers on a balance sheet.

Encouragement, Team Growth, and Investor Care

Bennett is quick to define himself as an “encourager.” He says, “I’m a developer of people. I think that's what I love and where I get the most satisfaction.” The AAA Storage team features talent ranging from those early in their careers to seasoned professionals still learning new aspects of the business. “It's fun to watch them. Some of them are young, some of them are still learning certain aspects of what we do. And so it's fun. That's where I have fun.” Team growth isn’t a sideline—it goes hand in hand with achieving results.

This people-centric mindset extends to AAA Storage investors of every size. “Whether somebody’s invested in $5 million or $50,000, we work together really hard to make sure that they never feel rushed, they never feel pushed, they feel listened to, and they get all the information they want, and that their takeaway, whatever decision they make, is that we were helpful to them in making the investment decision.” Above all, “They're important.” No one is a number; every interaction counts.

Practical Wisdom and Balancing Technology With Human Touch

On financial discipline, Bennett is clear: “Leverage is good… strategically used is how you build wealth.” He only supports debt when it’s attached to appreciating assets—a view refined across real estate cycles, hard-won lessons in patience, and a focus on long-term discipline, not shortcuts.

While the self storage sector offers an array of tech-forward options, Bennett maintains a blended approach: “We’re still pretty old school in the sense that we have live on site managers and we think that human touch is important.” At the same time, AAA Storage provides remote access options: “The remote technology that we use alongside our live on-site managers… would allow somebody… to rent a unit, pay for it, get all the codes, access codes and everything on their phone in less than five minutes.” Modern data tools help the team sharpen marketing, but never replace direct service.

Bennett’s drive for continuous betterment isn’t limited to work. He spends over an hour daily on mobility and strength, a practice shaped by lessons from his own health and what he describes as a journey “of studying lots of different disciplines and lots of different information and trial and error.” His advice: invest in your physical well-being early, especially if you spend most days at a desk.

Family and relationships shape Bennett’s priorities. He recalls a lesson from Jim Rohn, “Don’t miss anything. Don’t miss your kids ball game. Don’t miss the concert. Don’t miss the experiences of life that are there, that make life richer and… build perspective and bonds and relationships, that's a pretty powerful piece of advice if you really stop and think about it.”

Leadership You Can Trust in Self Storage Investing

AAA Storage’s performance, paired with Bennett’s direct, thoughtful approach, provides both results and confidence for investors. Whether teaching his team, honoring his commitments, or meeting with investors, Bennett’s philosophy is consistent: “They're important.” Trust, accountability, and encouragement underpin every decision and partnership.