Unmanned Side Hustle for Office Workers · Storage Business without Real Estate · Under Children's Names · Small Start with 30 Million KRW. DaLock Owners Consultation Review Compiled Directly by DaLock

Key Summary (One-Line Answer)
The most common reaction during DaLock Owners consultations was interest in being able to "generate profits unmanned while maintaining a main job," and the most frequent questions were about exits and principal guarantees. Three out of four customers who completed actual contracts started with a small amount first, saying, "I'll try with 30 million KRW first and add more if it goes well."

What is DaLock Owners?

DaLock Owners is a business startup model where you lease units in directly-managed stores that have been operated directly by the self-storage brand 'Mini Storage DaLock' for over 3 years and have achieved a unit occupancy rate of over 80%. Head office takes charge of operations, and the owner receives monthly operating profit settlements. You can start from 30 million KRW based on 15 units, and there are no security deposits or premium fees. Recruitment is conducted in rounds, and the branches targeted for the 2nd round of recruitment are City Hall Station Branch (Stability Type) and Daejeon Government Complex Station Branch (Profit Type).

What kind of people sought DaLock Owners consultations?

Most of the people who applied for consultations were in their 40s and 50s, followed by those in their 60s and older, and those in their 30s. By occupation, office workers were the most common, followed by self-employed individuals, homemakers, rental business operators, and freelancers. Households preparing for retirement were also noticeable, such as those looking into it together because they "are scheduled to retire next February" or "father has reached retirement age."

The majority had no prior startup experience, and among those with experience, many came from the food service industry, cafes, study cafes, or unmanned stores. Common points included the following:

• Many had surplus funds and made decisions together as a family.

• Not a few were already running individual businesses or corporations.

• Those who had used DaLock themselves or understood the storage business comprehended the structure more quickly.

• Many wanted to test the waters with a small amount first rather than putting in a large sum at once.

1. "I have a main job, so I was looking for something that could be run unmanned" — Unmanned Side Hustle for Office Workers

The story heard most often was about time. This is because it is difficult to operate a store directly while working at a job.

"I have a main job, so I was looking for something that could generate profits unmanned."
"I live in the provinces, so the fact that it's an unmanned business is extremely satisfying."

For DaLock Owners, head office is entirely responsible for location analysis, unit sales, marketing, facility management, and customer support, and the stores are operated with remote temperature, humidity, and security systems. Owners do not need to live near the branch and only need to check their monthly settlement details. This is why someone living in the provinces can become an owner of a Seoul branch.

2. "Since I don't have real estate, Owners is actually better for me" — Storage Business without Real Estate

When people think of a storage business, it's easy to assume you need a building or a large space. During consultations, many found this aspect intriguing.

"I don't have real estate, so acquiring the Yeoksam branch sounds great."
"I only thought about opening a new branch, but Owners is intriguing."
"I fully understand the structure now. It's really interesting."

Some people were amazed, asking, "Is something like this even possible?" and applied for an in-person consultation on the spot. Others transitioned over after looking into different unmanned business models.

"Laundromats are oversaturated, so I'm looking for something else."

Customers already using DaLock (such as Hannam, Seoul Forest, Yangjae, and Seoul National Univ. Station branches) caught on particularly fast, with many evaluating that "the storage business has a great outlook." This was because they had personally used it and felt the demand firsthand.

3. "I want to set one up under my son's name" — Children's Names · Tax Savings

There were also people who viewed Owners as an investment for their families.

"My son is getting discharged from the military next March, and I want to set one up under his name."
"I heard all the explanations, and I'm very interested in the tax savings aspect."

In fact, there was a case where a mother and daughter received a consultation together and signed a contract under the daughter's name. DaLock Owners incurs taxes similar to commercial real estate investments, but many showed interest in the fact that one can receive comprehensive income tax refunds in the year of business investment. In cases where funds are transferred to children to sign contracts under their names, gift-related taxes must also be considered.

4. "Let's try with 30 million KRW first and add more if it's good" — Starting Small First

Four customers finalized contracts; among them, three started with 30 million KRW, and one started with 100 million KRW. The common remark from the contractors was this:

"Let's try with 30 million KRW first and add more if it's good."

The profiles of the contractors were also diverse.

• A household running a gosiwon, where a mother and daughter consulted together and contracted under the daughter's name

• A married couple who consulted together and then participated using surplus funds

• An individual already operating a sole proprietorship

• A CEO of a corporation running a marketing company

Regarding profitability, there were responses such as, "If the target yield is 15%, it's better than other products," and "I agree that it offers stability and lower risk."

Most Frequently Asked Questions and Answers in Consultations

How do I exit? Can I withdraw right away?

DaLock Owners can be transferred, and head office matches the transferee. You do not need to seek out buyers yourself, but matching a transferee may take some time.

Is the principal or profit guaranteed?

No. DaLock Owners is not a principal-guaranteed product, nor are profits guaranteed. Target returns vary by recruitment round and branch. The target announced at launch was 15–30% per year, and for the 2nd round recruitment branches, City Hall Station Branch targets 12–21% per year, while Daejeon Government Complex Station Branch targets 16–32% per year. Actual profits will vary depending on branch occupancy rates and operating performance.

If I invest 100 million KRW, do I really get 2.5 million KRW per month?

*All figures are pre-tax examples, and actual amounts may vary depending on operating performance.

2.5 million KRW per month is a calculation applying the upper target return rate of 30% per year. Applying the lower target of 15% per year yields approximately 1.25 million KRW per month.

Target yields differ by round and branch; taking the 2nd round recruitment branches as an example:

• 100 million KRW at City Hall Station Branch: approx. 1,000,000–1,750,000 KRW/month (12–21% annually)

• 100 million KRW at Daejeon Government Complex Station Branch: approx. 1,330,000–2,670,000 KRW/month (16–32% annually)

• 50 million KRW at each of the two branches: approx. 1,170,000–2,210,000 KRW/month

Isn't 15% just slightly better than bank interest?

During consultations, there were opinions like "It's not very exciting" or "It's low considering the principal isn't guaranteed." Conversely, there were also reactions like "It's better than other products." Criteria for judgment differ from person to person, but we recommend comparing while also considering that DaLock Owners requires only equity capital without loans and requires none of your time for operations.

When and how do I receive settlements?

Settlements are made monthly based on branch operating performance starting the month after launching the business, and owners can check performance through monthly settlement statements.

I haven't heard of people around me using this kind of service. Is there really demand?

DaLock Owners targets only directly-managed stores that head office has operated directly for over 3 years and that have recorded unit occupancy rates of over 80%. In fact, customers who actively use DaLock sensed the demand firsthand and assessed that "the storage business has a great outlook."

If you own a vacant commercial property or building

Among those who applied for Owners consultations, many were owners of vacant commercial properties, basement spaces, or buildings. In such cases, rather than Owners—which leases units of existing branches—Partners (opening a new branch), where you open a DaLock branch in your own space, may be more suitable.

Conclusion: DaLock Owners seen from the consultation floor

Most of the people encountered in consultations had no startup experience and wished to create an additional cash flow while preserving their primary job or post-retirement life. And many chose to experience it first with 30 million KRW instead of making a massive commitment upfront.

※ The customer responses in this article were compiled based on actual consultation details and anonymized so that individuals cannot be identified. Target returns and example figures vary by round and branch, and they do not guarantee future returns.