Today we’d like to introduce you to Donald Jones.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Donald. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I worked for the U-Haul Co. of Fort Worth for 11 years and left the company to spend more time with family. I looked for other employment opportunities and without a degree, the executive positions I was seeking, were not made available, so I hired myself. Donald Jones Consulting & Service was started as a necessity with purpose. The objective of the business was to provide direct support to Self Storage Owners, Operators, and Developers. We began in 2004 with one client and have been busy ever since. In the past 13 years, we have worked in over 35 states. We have done Acquisitions, Bookkeeping, Consulting, Design Development, Emergency Assessment, Feasibility Studies, Property Management, and Sales of Properties.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Opening a new business is not easy. We have been fortunate to always have a customer base. The most difficult thing has been balancing growth with personnel. Our number one expense is personnel costs. We have operated with multiple regional managers and that put way too much strain on the company compared to the revenue from properties managed.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Donald Jones Consulting & Service – what should we know?
We opened in 2004, in 2008 the downturn of the economy affected a lot of businesses. The market tends to look back over negative periods of time to see what real estate sectors fared the best during that downturn. Self Storage has far and above out performed other real estate types and is one of the hottest real estate sectors today.
Over the years there have been various consultants who have entered the market. Most from experience through REITS similar to my own experience. What sets me apart from others is the diversity of experience over the past 24 years I have been in storage and prior experience in life. Most consultant have singular experience with strengths in Management or Strengths in Development etc. I am well versed in every aspect of the storage industry.
I can take a client from concept, through the feasibility of development, through the design phases, construction, and then lease up of the property. All in one service is what sets us apart. The other thing is we will travel anywhere. I often tell people if Southwest will get me there we are on our way. A few weeks ago, we work in New York, Nebraska, Nevada, and Kansas in the same week and followed that up with a trip to South Carolina.
Our biggest accomplishment is taking a failed development in Stoneham, MA and came up with a storage design to use 1 acre of the 11 to build a 5 story Climate Control facility. The same property owner was able to take the sales proceeds of that project and finish the development on the 11 acres with apartments. It saved the developer from a very poor financial situation.
We just finished over $10 MM in development in Parker and Pflugerville, TX and are currently under construction in Lewisville. We have other developments beginning in Jonestown and Seguin.
We are most proud of our ability to remain present in a market that is very active. Over 95% of our business is driven through referrals. Though we have a website, we average 2 – 3 calls a week from direct referral. I take great pride in being upfront with every person we work with. Sometimes clients don’t want to hear what I say, but they always trust they I have giving them the best advice I can based on their specific market.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have had the great pleasure of working with a lot of good people.
Logan Frank with the U-Haul Co. would tell me often – “Donald, A wise man seeks council.” I have tried very hard to keep that in mind and share that with others.
Tracy Taylor with Move It Storage invited me to work with him for the better part of 8 years. During that time together, we analyzed thousands of deals for acquisition and helped investors purchase almost 60 properties.
Michael Castleman is a new player in the self storage industry, but comes with great experience from prior enterprise. He leans heavy on my self storage knowledge and I lean on his business council as each of us continue to grow in our specific areas.
Candice and I have been married 24 years. She is my biggest support. The hours we work are off the charts. Both our kids are in college and that allows us to travel together as we work with various clients.
Pricing:
- Competition Studies – $500 – $2500
- Acquisition Services $2,500 – $10,000
- Property Management – $1,250 – $2,000 Monthly
Contact Info:
- Website: www.donaldjonesconsulting.com
- Phone: 817.456.4658
- Email: djones@donaldjonesconsulting.com
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