When most students think about side hustles, reselling old clothes or tutoring might come to mind. But for Michael Haskell, a junior in ABF, it’s all about storage lockers, specifically the abandoned, overlooked, and sometimes astonishingly valuable kind. The Academy Chronicle recently sat down with Michael to learn more about the inspiration behind his work, the challenges of running a business while balancing school, and how a surprise locker led to an unexpected act of charity.
How did you first get into storage lockers, and what kinds have you cleared?
I started doing lockers at the beginning of 10th grade at BCA. Since then, I’ve cleared over 55 lockers, some as large as 10×20 feet. I’ve seen it all: I’ve bought the lockers of deceased multimillionaire art collectors, Ivy League graduates, and even found gold and silver pieces I later sold on 47th Street. I’ve uncovered everything from $1,500 sofas and $2,500 rugs to 30,000 New York Public Schools doorknobs. I’ve sold pieces that ended up at Sotheby’s and Bonhams, and I usually work with a team of movers and eBay listers to get everything cleared and sold efficiently.
What inspired you to start StorageHeroes, and how did it turn into a full business and YouTube channel?
During the pandemic, I got hooked on the show Storage Wars. It made me realize that clearing lockers could actually be fun and maybe even profitable. After I started at BCA, I was old enough to try it myself, so I bought a small 5×5 unit for just $10. My mom drove me to the facility, and after clearing it out, I made a solid profit. That’s when it clicked: this could be a real niche for me, something exciting and potentially lucrative. The show also inspired the YouTube side because even small moments, like digging through a dusty box, can make for surprisingly compelling content.
How do you decide which lockers to bid on?
It’s a mix of art and science. You have to weigh a lot of factors, like the location and what’s visible in the photos. Sometimes you can even guess who the owner was. If it looks like the unit belonged to someone famous or someone with a high-end job, that can definitely influence your decision. Wealthier neighborhoods usually lead to better lockers. And even something like a locker full of tools, which might not look exciting, can bring in a lot of money. That said, some of my best finds came from units that didn’t show anything particularly valuable at first glance.
What sets StorageHeroes apart from other storage content on YouTube?
Most other channels post really long, unedited videos where they go through lockers in real time. I do the opposite. I focus on short-form content. My videos are tightly edited, fast-paced, and straight to the point. It keeps things engaging for viewers and gives them the highlights without dragging things out. I think that’s what really sets me apart in this niche.
What have been the biggest challenges so far, on YouTube or with the business itself?
Early on, the hardest part was building a team. Even those little 5×5 units can take five or six hours to clear. As I scaled up to 10×10 and 10×20 units, I realized I couldn’t do it alone. Between my BCA workload and the sheer physical labor of clearing and listing everything, I needed help. So I built a team, movers, eBay listers, the works. That made a huge difference and helped me keep everything running smoothly.
Has BCA’s ABF program helped you with any of this?
Absolutely. ABF really helped me develop the analytical and business skills I use every day. I think about lockers almost like distressed assets, kind of like struggling companies. You analyze what’s inside, predict the return, and decide if it’s worth the investment. That mindset came directly from what I learned in ABF and gave me the confidence to dive in without needing prior experience.
How do you balance everything – filming, editing, business, and school?
It’s definitely a lot, but having a good team helps make the locker side of things manageable. As for the YouTube side, I genuinely enjoy making videos. It’s a passion project, which makes it feel less like work and more like something fun I get to do.
What’s Storage Angels, and how did that start?
Storage Angels started after a manager at a facility gave me an unsold locker for free. It was a total mess, but I found antique toys, tools, and perfectly usable furniture. The idea of all that going to the landfill didn’t sit right with me. So I started doing research and found out that about 5% of lockers go unsold in the U.S., and half of those end up in the trash. That’s a massive environmental issue and a missed opportunity to help people. So with Storage Angels, I either ask managers to let me take unsold lockers or bid the minimum when I know they won’t sell. I donate usable items, clothes, furniture, and household goods to charities like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Never Alone Again in Bergen County. I’m currently looking for collaborators, especially other students who can help with trucks or drop-offs.
What are your future goals for StorageHeroes, and any advice for students who want to start something of their own?
The biggest advice I can give is to be patient and wait for your big break. When I started, I actually lost money on a few units. But I kept going, and eventually I hit a few good ones back-to-back. My real breakthrough came on July 4th, when I found what I call the “unit of the century.” It was owned by a deceased gallery owner whose obituary I had read in The New York Times. I ended up finding multiple works by Man Ray and Walt Kuhn, which were later sold at Sotheby’s and Bonhams. That moment confirmed I was on the right path. So yeah, just stick with it. Your breakthrough could be just one locker away.
Thank you so much to Michael for sharing his story with us, and please contact [email protected] if you are interested in learning more and helping with Storage Angels!
