Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Queen.
Hi Matt, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey didn’t start with storage units—it started with servers, code, and late nights troubleshooting systems for clients who ranged from scrappy startups to Fortune 100 giants. I spent 15 years on the consulting side of tech, working with everyone from government agencies to corporate behemoths, and in that time, I developed what I call a “deep fluency” in business technology—not just how it works, but how it transforms companies.
Somewhere along the way, I discovered digital marketing, and it was like finding the missing puzzle piece. Here was this perfect intersection of my tech expertise and my genuine passion for helping businesses grow. I wasn’t just building systems anymore—I was building growth engines.
That realization led me to take the leap and put my own skin in the game. I founded ChiroPraise, a marketing agency dedicated to helping health and wellness practices thrive. What started as a one-man operation grew into a team of 15, and for a decade, we helped countless practitioners build practices they were proud of. It was incredibly rewarding work.
But after ten years, I felt the pull toward a new challenge. I wanted to build something tangible, something that combined everything I’d learned about technology, operations, and customer service into a physical business. So I transitioned ChiroPraise’s day-to-day operations to my capable team and set my sights on an industry ripe for innovation: self-storage. That’s how Storage Near Me was born—a growing portfolio of facilities across Missouri and Illinois where I could apply my tech-forward approach to an industry that desperately needed it, while creating something my family could build together.
Every chapter of my career has prepared me for this moment. The tech skills, the marketing insights, the team-building experience—it all comes together in what we’re building today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth road? Not even close—but that’s where the real growth happens.
One of the most bittersweet challenges I’ve faced is becoming a victim of my own success in training people. I take pride in developing my team, teaching them not just how to manage storage facilities, but how to think like entrepreneurs. The flip side? I’ve trained people so well that they’ve gained the confidence and skills to launch their own competing storage businesses. It stings when it happens, but I’ve learned to see it as a strange compliment—proof that we’re doing something right in how we develop talent. It’s also taught me the importance of building a company culture that people don’t want to leave, not just a skillset they can take elsewhere.
The rapid evolution of technology—particularly AI—has been both exhilarating and exhausting. When AI burst onto the scene, it felt like the ground shifted overnight. Suddenly, I had to ask myself: Do we adopt this immediately and risk the growing pains? Or do we wait and potentially fall behind? We chose to lean in, but that meant navigating uncharted territory—integrating AI customer service agents, training staff on new systems, and constantly reassessing what’s actually helpful versus what’s just shiny and new. The irony is that AI has saved us countless hours while simultaneously demanding more of our attention to implement it thoughtfully. It’s a balancing act: embracing disruption while keeping the human touch that makes Storage Near Me special.
The challenges have been real, but they’ve also sharpened us. Every obstacle has pushed us to innovate, adapt, and ultimately build a stronger, more resilient business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Storage Near Me?
Storage Near Me isn’t your typical storage facility—it’s where cutting-edge technology meets good old-fashioned family values. As the owner and operator of multiple self-storage facilities across Missouri and Illinois, I’ve built something I’m genuinely proud of: a business that serves our communities while bringing my entire family along for the journey.
What sets us apart? My background in tech has allowed us to become early adopters in an industry that’s often stuck in the past. We’ve equipped our facilities with state-of-the-art 4K video surveillance with facial recognition, ensuring our customers’ belongings are protected by the same technology used by major corporations. Even more exciting, we’ve implemented AI agents available 24/7—customers can call anytime to get answers and handle most requests without waiting for business hours. It’s the perfect blend of high-tech convenience and peace of mind.
But here’s what I’m most proud of: Storage Near Me has become a true family enterprise. My wife and kids aren’t just names on a wall—they’re actively involved in the day-to-day operations. This wasn’t just about building a business; it was about creating a living classroom where my children learn real-world skills, the value of hard work, and what it means to serve your community. Whether you need space for household goods, a secure spot for your boat, or parking for your RV, you’re not just renting from a faceless corporation—you’re trusting a family that genuinely cares about protecting what matters to you.
Any big plans?
Right now, my focus is on strategic expansion throughout the St. Louis region. We’ve built something special with Storage Near Me a model that works, a team that’s firing on all cylinders, and technology that gives us a real competitive edge. Now it’s time to scale that and bring our approach to more communities that need it.
But this isn’t just about adding more locations for the sake of growth. Every facility we add is an opportunity to refine what we do, to push the technology further, and to serve customers who are tired of the impersonal, outdated storage experience. The St. Louis region has been incredible to us, and there are still so many neighborhoods and communities where we can make a real impact.
I’m also excited about what rapid advancements in AI and automation will bring to our operations in the next few years. We were early adopters, but the technology is evolving almost monthly. I’m constantly asking: How can we make the customer experience even more seamless? How can we give our team better tools? How can we stay five steps ahead of the competition?
And personally? I’m looking forward to watching my kids grow more deeply into the business. As they get older and take on more responsibility, I see Storage Near Me becoming less about what I’ve built and more about what we’re building together as a family. That’s the legacy I’m most excited about, not just facilities across Missouri and Illinois, but a business my children can be proud to lead one day.
The best part? We’re just getting started.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.storagenearmefestus.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrqueen/
