From Curiosity to Connection: My Journey Behind the Units

Jingwen Ni, managing partner at Go Beyond Properties, was born and raised in China. At eighteen, she left home and came to the United States alone to attend college. She barely spoke English and knew little about American culture, but she was determined to adapt — one word, one friendship, and one challenge at a time.

While pursuing her Ph.D. in psychology, Jingwen picked up a copy of Rich Dad Poor Dad. The book sparked a new way of thinking — the idea of building long-term wealth by acquiring assets that generate cash flow. Around the same time, her husband, Matthew, was running a moving company he had started in college. When the couple discovered the world of self-storage, everything clicked. Jingwen’s relationship-focused mindset and Matthew’s operational experience made the business a natural fit. Together, they decided to skip the traditional path of single-family investing and focus instead on self-storage — a business that combined systems, people, and long-term stability.

To turn learning into action, Jingwen joined a self-storage mastermind group to surround herself with like-minded investors and mentors. It was during the height of the pandemic — a time when cap rates were compressed, competition was fierce, and capital was pouring into the industry. For first-time investors, breaking in wasn’t easy.

Instead of chasing every deal, she focused on sharpening her criteria and building genuine relationships within the community. She refined her buy box, clarified her investment goals, and stayed disciplined about only pursuing properties that truly fit. Over time, that focus began to pay off.

At a conference, Jingwen connected with a peer who eventually brought her a facility that matched her criteria perfectly. He chose Jingwen and Matthew over other buyers because they had a clearly defined acquisition profile, strong financial capacity, and a well-structured closing process that gave sellers confidence. Their preparation and transparency set them apart — qualities that continue to define how they approach every opportunity today.

Closing on the first facility was exciting — and humbling. Jingwen quickly learned that owning a property was very different from underwriting one. The numbers on a spreadsheet never captured the endless details that come with day-to-day operations: tenant communication, maintenance surprises, vendor coordination, and local market nuances.

Early on, Jingwen and her team faced a challenge common to any people-driven business — managing change. Implementing new systems to improve efficiency didn’t always come easily. The long-time tenants and staff they inherited were used to doing things a certain way. Rather than forcing quick adjustments, Jingwen and her team chose to listen first.

One tenant, for instance, was hesitant to switch to online payments, worried about losing the personal touch he’d had with the previous manager. The management team took the time to walk him through the process and explain that the goal wasn’t to remove people — it was to make their experience smoother. That small moment became a reminder that respect and patience often build trust faster than efficiency alone.

From those early experiences, Jingwen learned that success in self-storage isn’t just about returns — it’s about relationships. Every interaction matters. Whether with tenants, staff, or other storage professionals, she’s found that clear communication, fairness, and empathy create stronger partnerships — and ultimately, stronger businesses.

With that lesson learned, Jingwen’s approach to acquisitions evolved from simply underwriting numbers to making great deals for everyone involved. She learned that every transaction includes people with different priorities and interests — and the best results come from finding creative ways for all parties to walk away with what they want.

In one case, the seller faced unique circumstances. Transferring the title immediately would have triggered a full loan payoff, something she wanted to avoid. What also mattered to her was maintaining steady monthly income for a set period of time and then exiting with a fair payout. Jingwen took the time to understand those priorities. Together, they structured an arrangement that met the seller’s goals while giving Jingwen and her team a clear path to future ownership and the ability to operate the property responsibly from day one. The seller received consistent income and the assurance of a smooth exit later, while Jingwen and her team gained a strong, well-aligned opportunity.

For Jingwen, a successful transaction is never about getting everything you want — it’s about understanding what matters most to the other party and finding creative, fair ways for both sides to succeed.

Jingwen continues to approach self-storage with curiosity and connection at the center. Every conversation with an owner, operator, or industry professional offers a new perspective — a lesson that helps her grow both personally and professionally. Through Behind the Units, she hopes to keep learning from the people who built the industry and to share their stories so others can do the same.

Looking ahead, Jingwen remains open to new opportunities and collaborations that align with her relationship-focused approach. She believes that great outcomes come from genuine partnerships — the kind built on trust, respect, and shared understanding. Whether through exchanging ideas, working together on projects, or finding smooth transitions for owners ready for their next chapter, Jingwen is always focused on creating outcomes that make sense for everyone involved.

For her, real estate isn’t just about properties — it’s about people, purpose, and progress.