NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 2, 2025 -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Pacific Southwest Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world's most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.
An independent panel of judges selected Tenant Inc. CEO & Founder, Lance Watkins, for his entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.
"Being named an Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist is a deeply meaningful honor. My journey in self-storage began over 25 years ago, sparked by mentorship and driven by a relentless pursuit of finding more innovative ways to operate. From pioneering the use of underutilized land like utility easements to being the first operator to embrace the potential of the internet for reaching tenants, innovation has always been at the heart of what I do. That drive led me to pioneer e-commerce capabilities for the storage industry through Storage Outlet, transform auctions with StorageTreasures, launch the first full-service co-op through Storelocal, and ultimately, focus on shaping the future of self-storage software with Tenant Inc., the first operator-focused VSaaS platform. Throughout, my focus has always remained clear: applying innovation to solve the real-world challenges that storage operators like myself face every day. For me, this recognition validates that career-long pursuit, but the real credit for the growth and impact goes to the incredible teams across Storage Outlet, StorageTreasures, Storelocal, Charity Storage, and Tenant Inc. While we're always focused on what's next, I'll certainly pause for a moment to reflect on this acknowledgment and how far we've come together."
Read the full press release on Yahoo Finance.
