Stor-Age - International Recognition

Stor-Age Self Storage has been selected for not one but two awards in recognition of the outstanding business performance. We are delighted to be nominated for the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Award in the Exceptional Category. "Africa is tipped for significant growth. In order to achieve this potential the continent needs entrepreneurs who build large organisations with integrity, add value to their markets, develop skills on a large scale and create sustainable jobs. We celebrate the energy and ideas these award-winning entrepreneurs bring to advance our economies and generate positive change through our World Entrepreneur Award^TM. As a leader in guiding these entrepreneurs and their companies, we feel it’s important to honour them and recognise their impact, while encouraging others to follow in their footsteps."


We have also been nominated for The Top 35-under-35 SAICA Accountancy SA Award through our CEO Gavin Lucas. "It was a beautiful day – I remember it clearly. I was 22 years old and I was sitting in my new little VW Chico. I looked at the mountains and down at the suit I was wearing and I had a life-changing moment. I thought to myself, is this what I am going to do for the rest of my life – sit in traffic, go to work in suits and not necessarily be totally passionate about it – for the next 40 years, for the best years of my life (20 to 60), for the best hours of the day (08:00 to 17:00) and on the best days of the week (Monday to Friday)?” This sparked a journey of thought for Gavin where he realised that separating work from one’s life and trying to box it into certain hours of the day and certain days of the week, wearing certain clothes and sitting in traffic, was merely what society expects of us. Little did he dream that in two years time he would have stepped out the box completely.The opportunity came quite unexpectedly at the age of 24 and during the second year of his articles at KPMG in 2005. Gavin had an idea which had ignited literally through light conversation over a braai. It led to starting a business with his dad and older brother – a genuine start-up from scratch. A mere year later he was able to move straight from articles into full-time employment with the business they had started. Now, with Gavin at the age of 33, the company has more than 370 employees and a portfolio value in excess of R1,5 billion and is well on its way to meeting its target of being a R2 billion, 40-property portfolio by 2015. “When I think back to when I was 24 and what I set out to achieve I shudder at the thought. I think in part it was because I was so young and just didn’t have anything to fear. “One of the best business lessons that I learnt right at the start of our venture is that while business is business and it is inherently tough, there is never ever an excuse for someone to raise their voice and/or treat anyone with disrespect. It’s just not needed – ever.” Gavin loves spending time with his wife, Leanne, and their two baby boys in the outdoors, whether it’s mountain walking, taking the boat out at the Breede River, or skiing in Europe. He also plays cricket, runs, surfs, and plays golf. “I’m really enjoying the adventure that I’m on – I love what I do and I love my life. It really isn’t about crossing a finishing line for me, it’s about the journey. Clichéd for sure, but it’s the truth.” You can read more about this nomination on page 52 of The Top 35-under-35 Accountancy SA Magazine.


It is both a prideful and humbling moment to be considered for such awards and we are excited to see what the future will bring as we strive for growth and excellence. We have previously been selected as finalists in the National Business Awards for the Fast Growth SMME category as well as the Top Performing Entrepreneur category. To read more about Stor-Age and where we have been published recently visited our Stor-Age Investor in the media page.