How WiSE is making space for women across self storage

Women in Storage Europe (WiSE) is continuing to grow as a support network for women working across the self-storage industry.

Founded by Simone Smith, Marketing Manager at S&L United Storage Systems, the group began as an informal conversation between friends about creating more opportunities for women to meet at industry events. The aim was to help women build relationships, share experiences and develop stronger professional networks.

The first planned WiSE meet-up took place at the FEDESSA Conference in Stockholm. Strong attendance and positive feedback showed there was scope to develop the idea further. Since then, WiSE has organised meet-ups at major industry events, bringing together women from across self storage, including store managers, marketers, operations teams, business owners, directors, CEOs and those new to the sector.

Smith said the friendships she built early in her career had played an important role in her professional and personal development. She said WiSE was created to help others access the same kind of support, advice and confidence.

In less than two years, WiSE has become one of the fastest-growing communities in self storage. For women entering the industry, it provides a way to learn from others, ask questions and recognise that they are part of a wider network.

Although founded within self storage, WiSE also recognises that similar challenges are faced by women in construction, removals and logistics. The group hopes to welcome more women from neighbouring sectors as it develops.

This August, WiSE will hold its first standalone event in Richmond, London. The event will bring women together outside the usual conference calendar, combining networking with a guest speaker discussing resilience, confidence and the pressures of modern life.

WiSE is also launching Pass the Mic, a community-led podcast based on the question: “Who made space for you?” Guests will share stories of people who supported their careers before nominating the next speaker.

Both initiatives form part of WiSE’s #WeMadeSpace campaign, which highlights the importance of visibility, encouragement and opportunity. The group hopes to help more women see self storage as an industry where they can belong, progress and support others in turn.