Carol Mixon – AZSA Lifetime Achievement Award

A Career Built on Opportunity, Mentorship, and Trust

I feel truly honored to receive this Arizona Self-Storage Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Many of my mentors are already on this prestigious list, which is cool. I feel fortunate to have landed at National Self Storage in Tucson because the team there—Mike Shaw, Bob Shaw, and Joe Nimchik—supported me and allowed me to take on responsibilities that typically wouldn’t fall to a trainer.

For example, during the openings of our Florida stores, they encouraged me to be involved in the construction process since I was on the ground. It felt gratifying to be part of the action, even though I didn’t have a formal training class. I was responsible for hiring and training people, especially in Florida. Having such an incredible network of people made a significant difference in my career path.

Carol Mixon with Hardy Good receiving her Lifetime Achievement Award
at the 2026 Arizona Self-Storage Association Conference

Turning a Passion for Training into SkilCheck

After the reorganization at National, which resulted in many of us being let go, I had to consider my next steps. I thought of SkilCheck and decided to pursue mystery shopping. I believed it would be valuable for managers to receive constructive feedback. This led me to reach out to MiniCo with a small advertisement, and almost instantly, people began calling. I was amazed by how receptive the storage industry was to feedback and training at that time, as resources were quite limited.

Self-Storage Has Always Been About People

Being part of associations is essential, as it creates a network and camaraderie within the industry. Although we’re in the real estate business, self-storage is fundamentally a service industry. Many owners may view it merely as property, but it’s about providing a service. I believe managers play a crucial role at the properties, shaping the customer experience.

My mission has always been to provide adequate training for managers because happy and well-trained managers lead to satisfied customers. I’ve seen customers express their appreciation for managers by bringing them gifts. It’s a testament to the positive impact that personal interactions can have in this industry. As we move towards more remote solutions, I still believe that customers value having someone watch over their belongings. That’s why I prioritize hiring friendly people; everything else can be taught.

After all these years, it’s evident that my vision for the self-storage industry has truly panned out. I successfully took my teaching credentials and transformed them into valuable resources that have not only helped the self-storage industry thrive but also empowered managers to succeed. The demand for this guidance remains strong, as it is fundamentally a service industry.

A Lifetime Achievement Award—But Not a Finish Line

I don’t think I’m ready to retire just yet, even though I’m currently 65. I genuinely want to keep going, as some days I feel older than others.  I want to continue doing good work for the association, not just for Arizona but also on a national level. I’ve spent many years in California and have contributed a lot there as well. My aim is to keep people satisfied with my work by providing valuable information and continuing my training.

I constantly strive to bring people together—whether it’s managers, owners, or supervisors. I’ve worked on events for all facets of the storage industry. It feels strange after so long to receive recognition, and I admit that I teared up a bit when I received the news. I really tried not to cry when I received the award.  I was worried that if I said too much, I would break down. That’s just part of who I am, I guess.

When your peers nominate you for something like this, it truly means a lot.

Why a Stronger Industry Starts with Stronger Associations

Our association in Arizona has a lot of depth, with board members who have diverse expertise in storage—some are builders, others are developers or managers. If someone has a question, we can direct them to the right person or provide a few options.

As an association, we are much stronger together. The better we become at training and streamlining operations, the better it is for our industry. Mistakes made by one storage facility can tarnish the reputation of all of us, which is why it’s important for those who should be part of our association to join.

That said, the uniqueness of the self-storage business also makes it quite enjoyable. It keeps things interesting; you often hear stories that surprise you and make you laugh. When I gather with friends in the industry, like Ann Ballard and Sue Haviland, we share amazing stories, and it’s great to have that camaraderie. It makes the experience fun.

Advice for the Next Generation of Self-Storage Professionals

I would encourage the next generation of storage operators to dive in. There will undoubtedly be ups and downs in any industry, but if you stick with it, the experience can be fantastic. When you find the right group of people who are committed to excellence, it makes all the difference.