Lance Watkins of Tenant Inc. Honored as EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 SW Finalist

Lance Watkins: Honored as a Finalist for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025

In a remarkable accolade for the entrepreneurial spirit, Lance Watkins, the CEO of Tenant Inc., has been named a finalist for the renowned EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Pacific Southwest Award. This announcement marks a significant recognition as the program celebrates its 40th year, applauding leaders who redefine industries through their insightful and innovative business practices.

Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) has selected finalists whose business ventures contribute positively to communities and reshape the economic landscape. The selection panel recognized Watkins for not only his entrepreneurial spirit but also for his lasting influence and commitment to creating long-term value in the self-storage sector.

Watkins reflects on his over 25 years of journey in the self-storage industry, stating that this recognition resonates deeply with his career's ongoing pursuit for innovation. He began his journey with a passion for self-storage, heavily influenced by mentorship that pushed him towards pioneering advancements. Through his visionary leadership, he has been at the forefront of numerous innovations including the utilization of underexploited land and the integration of advanced digital strategies to optimize tenant outreach.

One of his notable advancements includes launching the Storage Outlet model, focusing on enhancing e-commerce capabilities within the storage industry, transforming the auction process with the StorageTreasures platform, and co-founding Storelocal, which provides a unique co-op experience. Each of these ventures reflects his unwavering drive to innovate and solve real-world challenges that operators face in their daily operations. Now, with Tenant Inc., Watkins aims to redefine the self-storage software landscape with the introduction of the first operator-focused VSaaS (Value Software as a Service) platform.

The prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors individuals who exhibit outstanding resourcefulness, creativity, and determination in their entrepreneurial journeys. This includes original founders who built their business from the ground up or those CEOs who have transformed existing organizations through innovation. Entrants, including multigenerational family business leaders that have modernized legacy operations, are recognized for their distinct contributions.

The regional award winners will be revealed on June 6th at a special event in San Diego. Winners will join an esteemed alumni community, gaining lifetime member status while being considered for national recognition at the annual Strategic Growth Forum in November.

As a proud sponsor of this initiative, EY acknowledges that the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards have celebrated more than 11,000 visionary leaders across nearly 60 countries since its inception in 1986. The U.S. program effectively showcases a myriad of entrepreneurial talents through its 17 regional programs, with winners vying for national honors at the Strategic Growth Forum—an essential gathering of high-performing markets.

In addition to EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program is supported by various sponsors including PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh McLennan Agency, and SAP. In the Pacific Southwest region, additional sponsors include Vaco and Cooley, each contributing to sustain the presence of innovation in business leadership.

Reflecting on the honor, Watkins acknowledges that the recognition serves not just as validation of his career-long dedication but is also a tribute to the talented teams that support his initiatives. He emphasizes that every innovative step taken has been driven by collaboration and teamwork, and while the focus remains on future advancements, this acknowledgment is significant in underscoring the progress made through collective effort.

For further insights and press releases, you can visit Tenant Inc.'s website to learn more about the comprehensive solutions they offer to enhance operations in the self-storage industry.

In a world where innovation is the lifeblood of growth and sustainability, Lance Watkins stands as a testament to the visionary spirit needed to succeed in today's dynamic business environment. His journey exemplifies how strategic thinking and purposeful execution can not only meet challenges head-on but redefine industry standards altogether.