Scott Slinker: Bringing Smart Storage to Luxury Condos and Apartments

What if your storage unit was right where you park your car?

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Bruce talks with serial entrepreneur Scott Slinker, CEO of Deluxe Storage, about a simple problem that led to a much bigger business idea.

Scott was living in a high-rise condominium in San Jose when his car began getting broken into. He had thousands of dollars of golf equipment in his SUV, so he started carrying everything from his car to his condo whenever he went out. It worked, but it was a hassle.

That experience gave Scott an idea: Why not create secure storage right inside the parking garage?

Scott explains how Deluxe Storage is bringing smart, freestanding storage units to luxury condominiums, multifamily properties, and student housing. Residents can have convenient storage close to their parking space instead of driving to a traditional self-storage facility.

Bruce and Scott also discuss how technology is built into the system. Residents can use their smartphones to access units, while property managers can track demand and manage the program. Scott also shares how the units can include security cameras and sensors, as well as the company's plans to support EV charging.

Scott brings years of entrepreneurial experience to this challenge. During the conversation, he shares stories from previous companies, including Silicon Image, which helped create HDMI technology, and Fraud Sciences, which was acquired by PayPal.

Scott also explains the business opportunity for commercial real estate operators. Deluxe Storage offers different models for owners who want to own the storage assets and those who prefer a more hands-off approach.