Anna Roberts, MRICS, founder and CEO of self storage marketplace Self Storage Booker.com and parent company Explorage.com, the UK's no.1 site where customers can find local self storage unit prices and availability.
Anna believes in treating people as people first, she has established these ideals into both Self Storage Booker.com and Explorage.com, who's aim it is to make life easier for people. Anna lives on the idea that 'life is too short', she shares: "We are all humans just trying to get on and be happy. Ease, convenience and compassion are key in serving customers who just want to get sorted and get on with their lives. Tech is just the enabler.”
Anna has been a key figure in transforming the self storage industry through technology and a simple user experience. Focusing on customer satisfacion and industry innovation, Anna has successfully led Explorage.com to receive substantial industry and press support. Source
Anna adds, “Technology, services, products; they should all be human centred with sustainable foundations to leave a positive legacy for future generations”.
Her leadership and drive to ongoing learning and growth has also been recognised, and she demonstrates what she preaches with her staff. “When I talk about making life easier, that includes everyone I interact with, our team and our suppliers included. Each team member at Explorage.com completes a profiling exercise called DiSC. It’s a great tool for nurturing positive communication between colleagues and management. When people feel heard, valued and respected, productivity and creativity increases.”
Anna worked as a Chartered Surveyor before launching Explorage.com. Her passions for property and business merged perfectly as she managed construction teams on projects worth up to £45 million. She is also enthusiastic about Building Pathology. Her own surveying practice has received recognition and recommendations, and before starting it, she worked in the corporate sector, most recently for JLL in Manchester. JLL in Manchester.
Anna showed early entrepreneurial spirit when she organised her friends to put up a stall at the bus stop and raise money for the local park when she was just 7 years old. Anna always sees the best in people and thinks that with the right motivation and perseverance, anyone with the drive to take initiative could really make a big difference.
Explorage.com has been named one of the leading tech start-ups to watch in Wales, which also received the Rising Star award at the Wales Start Up Awards 2023.Source
Anna has since taken on a personal branding challenge and can be found frequently posting on LinkedIn on business, human-centred design, self storage, and real estate. Follow her on LinkedIn. LinkedIn. Her interviews with self storage and other business executives are also available on the Explorage.com YouTube channel.YouTube
She will be launching her first book in the Spring/Summer of 2024, prompted by a series of public polls on the concept of "home," home ownership, and property buying. You are invited to register your interest in the book at Book Waiting List. Book Waiting List
Anna frequently posts under the handle @AnnaRobertsFounder on various social media. You can follow her at: TikTok, Instagram, Threads, see more
Anna is frequently asked how she came up with the idea for Explorage.com. Her LinkedIn post elaborates:
Anna has been invited to speak at many events and enjoys sharing what she has learnt and experienced to help other founders, aspiring entrepreneurs and female business owners. Should you have an enquiry for future speaking engagements please contact support at Explorage.com.
Anna has been quoted in various press articles including: The Times, Country & Town House, Cornwall Live, Bangor University, Inside Self Storage, Global Welsh, Business in the News.