SENTINEL STANDS STRONG FOR 40 YEARSSentinel – a solider or guard that stands watch. He’s silent but

ever vigilant; professional, smart and helpful. When you see that solider, you smile. He instils confidence that you are

in the right place and you are safe. In 1975 a group of investors from Grande Prairie changed the way Canadians thought about self-storage by introducing the concept, and the mascot, of that stalwart, trustworthy solider when they opened Sentinel Storage.

Sentinel Storage is Canada’s largest Canadian-owned self-storage chain with 23 locations stretching from coast to coast. The first facility opened in Grande Prairie, with Edmonton (Winterburn) following a year later. The Edmonton facility was the one that introduced the now iconic bright orange doors.

Yet it wasn’t easy getting started. The investors saw the concept in the States and knew it could have a good future in Canada. City officials weren’t so sure. “They were just unaware of the concept,” explains Karen Bodoano, operations manager. “They wanted to put us in the back of industrial parks.”

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

SENTINEL STORAGE | | PAGE 1

Chiong Lee, Karen Bodoano, Bill Bowes and Shelley Bowes.

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That’s not what the investment group wanted. They envisioned safe, clean storage units in highly visible areas – so that’s what they built.

All of Sentinel’s facilities are built on the values of security, convenience and access. Sentinel is more than a place to store your items. It’s a place that works hard to make storage and moving as stress-free as possible.

“Moving is one of the top three stressors in life,” Bodoano points out. “People’s stuff means a lot to them emotionally. We deal with very stressed people, and we help them. A Sentinel unit is like a fancy condo for your items! I refer to them as ‘safety-deposit boxes.’ It’s so rewarding when someone comes in who was stressed and we get to see them relax knowing they made a good decision and their items will be fine.”

Modern offices to serve customers.

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Courtesy trucks available, plus packing materials for sale.

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HAPPY 40TH SENTINEL STORAGE!Top Draw proudly congratulates Sentinel Storage and the amazing team responsible for their continued success. It has been a privilege to be their online marketing partner for 12 years and counting. We look forward to collaborating for 40 more!

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SENTINEL STORAGE | | PAGE 4

Sentinel Storage was never content to simply provide storage solutions. The spirit of innovation and excellence in customer service is a relentless drive that each team member participates in daily, from president Bill Bowes to the managers who live at the facilities.

“We are the first self-storage Canadian company to adopt technology from the States called individual door alarms,” informs Bodoano. “It works in conjunction with our access system. If you code in at the door, it only lets you access your unit and nothing else. Then it rearms the door when you leave.”

Sounds futuristic? Sentinel was ahead of the curve. “We did that in the ’90s,” smiles the manager.

And that’s not all.

“We have heated and unheated units and RV storage. A business centre at Edmonton (Argyll) has 30 offices that can be rented month-to-month. Each facility has a courtesy moving truck for the clients to use.”

Knowing this, it’s not a surprise that the energetic company has earned a 91 per cent extremely satisfied rating from their customers. “That’s powerful,” says Bodoano. “It’s about the experience for the customers and that is what comes through over and over again in our customer satisfaction surveys.”

It’s not just the customers that are satisfied. “I know my staff are exceptional. I think they are the best in the industry – but I may be biased!” jokes Bodoano; but it doesn’t take much to see that the staff truly are at the top of their game.

President Bill Bowes has helmed the company for 35 years and construction manager Chiong Lee recently retired after 30 years. This longevity is not uncommon among Sentinel staff.

“Bill’s an amazing leader,” says Bodoano with a huge grin. “He is someone that understands the need to put a team together and give everyone a distinct role. Bill has been so forward-thinking. He sees five years down the road and plans where the company is going. He sees the forest and the trees! He empowers the whole staff.”

The staff of approximately 50 were honoured for their decades of service with a 40th anniversary party in Canmore.

“All the full-time staff went to Canmore for a three-day retreat,” said Bodoano, proving – once again – that Sentinel’s big-picture approach to internal and external factors is what has created such a well-rounded, successful company.

Speaking of external factors, what does self-storage have to do with multiple sclerosis (MS)? Quite a lot, it turns out. Fourteen years ago a Sentinel staff member was diagnosed with the disease. In response, Sentinel raised a team for the MS Bike campaign – and they never stopped pedalling. Bodoano explains, “Through staff, customer and vendor support we average $18,000 a year [in

State-of-the-art large heated enclosed loading areas.

Secure concrete and steel construction.

donations]. Four years ago we became the event’s official sponsor. We are pretty excited about that!”

For the most part, self-storage flies under the radar, but when the reality TV show Storage Wars hit the airwaves, everything changed. The show depicts professional “treasure” hunters bidding on storage units that have been abandoned by the owners. Drama and hilarity ensues as valuable, rare items and curiosities literally spill out of the lockers and into the hands, and pocketbooks, of the hunters.

Not so much, Bodoano points out.

Sentinel Storage has worked hard to dispel the myths and perception that self-storage is all “garages in industrial parks”

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managers who live at the facilities.

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and that people stuff their belongings into lockers and abandon them. “Less than one per cent is seized or sold,” she says firmly, cringing at the way the show dramatizes the simple act of self-storage. “Ninety-nine per cent of our clients pay their bills. It’s unfortunate that the show brings to light something that is not very positive. [The show] does not depict the norm.”

Sentinel Storage has done more than challenge and change the “norm.” They invented it in Canada. The company stood firm when officials wanted to tuck them out of sight. They brought in technology and processes to ensure the best options for each client. They go above and beyond for the well-being of the staff – and they make sure your belongings are safe and sound until you are ready to move them home.

“Thank you!” Bodoano says to the staff, vendors and everyone else who inspired and committed to Sentinel Storage. “Thank you for trusting us. We wouldn’t be here for 40 years in business if you didn’t continue to support us.”

The sentinel stands at attention at each facility across Canada. He’s strong and he’s silent, but he’s smiling because he knows he’s doing a great job of protecting you and your goods.

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Congratulations to

Sentinel Self Storage

celebrating 40 years in

business. Wishing you

continued success from

RBC Royal Bank.

To your continuedsuccess

® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. 30075 (05/2015)

93278 AD_30075_4C_L.Ring_E.indd 1 9/23/15 12:01 PM

6 Convenient locations:Argyll • Kingsway • North • West • South • Windermere

www.sentinel.ca

Sentinel Storage’s newest facility is set to open in Edmonton (Windermere) in December 2015. This state-of-the-art facility will offer over 900 climate controlled storage units ranging from 5’x 5’ to 10’ x 35’. It also features a large four-vehicle headed indoor loading bay, two 10’ x 10’ freight elevators, a courtesy moving truck and on site managers. Secure access will be from 6 am – 11 pm, 365 days a year.

SENTINEL OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

State of the Art Facility Rabbit Hill Road + Anthony Henday - Opening December 2015. Photo courtesy of Sentinel Storage.