Success is hard to define, as it means something different for everyone. For some, it can be measured with time, like meeting a goal when you said you would. For others, it could be measured with wealth, like how much money you made in a given month or year. Some stumble into it but most people have to work hard for it, only attaining it through consistency, adaptability, taking risks, and sometimes even adversity.
While success can take various forms and be achieved in numerous ways, there is one obvious commonality—everyone wants it. There are some who just strive to attain it for themselves, and there are others, like AJ Osborne, founder, and CEO of Cedar Creek Capital, who also strive to help others attain it.
Cedar Creek Capital is a vertically integrated real estate private equity firm that specializes in the acquisition, development, and management of self-storage facilities. They are the premier self-storage investment group for the accredited investors, and much of that is thanks to Osborne.
All About Osborne
Osborne didn’t start out in storage private equity, he initially worked in a brokerage firm until a rare disease left him paralyzed. At just 33, he was suddenly quadriplegic, confined to a hospital, and, making a bad situation worse, he was fired from his job.
After months in the hospital, Osborne was finally going to visit his own home so he could spend Christmas with his family before having to go back to the hospital. It was in the midst of his excitement to see his children open their gifts that he came to the realization that started this all—his family was doing just fine despite him being jobless in the hospital.
At a time of year when many people are stressed to provide, and in a situation that can drown you in despair, Osborne realized that he had financial security, and it was all because of timely self-storage investments he had made over the course of his career. Without those investments, he would have been faced with difficult decisions in that hospital room while he had a wife and four children depending on him at home.
What that financial security inspired in Osborne is what makes him stand out from all the others in this industry.
“Self-storage is self-storage, but what it provides is really important to me and my life, it saved my family’s financial life,” he said. “I didn’t need to work again. I didn’t need to build this company, but I did so that other people could participate and also have financial security.”
Winning Leadership
Osborne’s personal experience of overcoming adversity taught him the importance of resilience and determination, attributes he instills in his team. His positive attitude, even when faced with challenges, helps his team stay focused and motivated.
A hallmark of his leadership style is his ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities. He has a contrarian approach to investing in self-storage facilities and it has been a major contributor to the success of his company. Going against conventional wisdom has allowed him to secure off-market deals and become the largest player in the educational space of self-storage.
Integrity and honesty are also characteristics of his leadership style. He is transparent with his team and has made it clear that he values building trust with both his employees and partners.
It is because of this reputation of trust and reliability that brokers and banks want to work with him. He is a leader who is not afraid to take risks and think outside the box. His ability to inspire, motivate, and create a culture of accountability is a big part of why Cedar Creek Capital is as successful as it is, and why investors should consider aligning themselves with them.
A Standout Company
The overarching mission of the firm is to save and promote capitalism, to help the everyday investor. Every detail, from the acquisition, refinance, and sale of any investments is weighed on what would be best for the fund’s investors. Their mission for integration is externalized, which allows them to generate data, help more people, and develop individual profit centers not reliant on fees.
“Our incentives are aligned with those of our investors, as we believe in investing in our own funds and working diligently to make capitalism work for individuals. This way, they can benefit from tax advantages associated with true ownership, which contributes to the growth of their wealth and income.,” said Osborne.
The best part of the deal? When he says true ownership, he means it.
“The investors are actual owners of the real estate. They get all the benefits of owning, the cash flow, the equity increase, but we do all the work,” he said.
Osborne’s leadership style and integrity make the company unusual in the best way. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the human spirit. He has shown that with the right mindset and approach, anyone can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieve success. He has a clear vision for the future and a deep understanding of the self-storage market. He is able to make strategic decisions that generate outstanding results, making Cedar Creek Capital one of the best firms for investors to partner with.
About AJ Osborne
AJ Osborne, CEO of Cedar Creek Capital, is the leading expert and voice in the self-storage industry. He has been featured on top real estate podcasts and is the go-to resource for self-storage investment advice across social media platforms, including YouTube. Accredited investors can find more information here: https://www.cedarcreekwealth.com/
