Skip to content
Meet our Team of Self Storage Experts
Our Team
Ben Burkhart
When not carrying around a fly rod or gun in the wilderness somewhere, writing songs, or spending time with family, Ben Burkhart works as a developer and consultant in the self storage industry. Over 20 years he has built dozens of large self storage businesses, and worked on thousands more. As the owner of BKB Properties/StorageStudy, he personally performs or oversees all consulting services and regularly shares his expertise as a speaker at industry conferences an a contributor to professional publications.
Ben is still married to his first wife and love, Susan, with whom he is raising three children: Luke, Levi, and Adalie. He is an accomplished musician and songwriter, and an avid outdoorsman. Ben is passionate about Mission work in Tanzania, and sees his professional endeavors in self storage as supporting more important work in life, like helping others, guiding his family, following God’s call on his life as a Christ follower, and learning something along the way even if it hurts.
Allison Walton
Since joining the StorageStudy team in 2023, Allison has supported the firm’s self-storage consulting and development work, contributing to feasibility studies, market research, project coordination, and client support across a wide range of projects nationwide.
Prior to this role, Allison was an elementary school teacher and math specialist, spending 11 years in education. She brings a strong foundation in communication, organization, and strategic thinking to her work. Allison is a proud graduate of the University of Mary Washington, where she earned a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.S. in Elementary Education.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, building and imagining with her son, playing board games, reading, crocheting, and caring for her many plants. As a cancer survivor, she is also dedicated to supporting the fundraising efforts of Blood Cancer United through the annual Light the Night Walk.
Peyton Matthews
Peyton joined the StorageStudy team in 2022 as an Executive Assistant. She provides project oversight and supports project coordination and daily operations to help keep developments moving forward. Since joining the team, she has played a key role in maintaining communication, often serving as a central point of contact and ensuring essential tasks are completed to keep projects on track. Her favorite part of her role is seeing storage facility developments move from concept to completion.
Peyton holds a bachelor’s degree in Professional and Creative Industries, with a minor in Business, from Liberty University, and has also earned a Business Administration certificate.
In her free time, enjoys staying active outdoors, spending time on the water, serving at her church, and being with her husband, family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a full feasibility study?
If you are competing in a market with multiple, strong competitors, then the answer is probably yes. Where the strongest competitors compete (urban and suburban areas), we generally cannot collect good quality data via phone survey, and we need to visit individual stores to gain a high-level of confidence in the data we report. We will tell you the truth about your project, even if it hurts your feelings or “dashes your dream.” Our objective is to provide the best analysis so you can make the best decisions as you invest.