Sumer Temple grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, integrity and community service.
At a young age, she was immersed in the family business her father, Don Temple, built—learning the ins and outs simply by tagging along with him to work. From her early days decorating filing cabinets with puffy stickers to years later turning the business into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, Sumer has preserved her father’s legacy while forging her own path as a business leader and philanthropist.
“I can remember the facility out in Los Alamitos, probably when I was about six years old, and he took me out there with him and had me walk around and listen and just watch what was going on,” Temple recalled.
When Don Temple passed away in 2013, Sumer was just 35 years old and 6 months pregnant with her son.
“I think some of the largest challenges… one was probably my age,” she said. “Obviously, I’m female. So those two factors, I think, played a big role in how I approached things.”
Additionally, stepping into her father's shoes meant she would have to transition from being a private person to a public figure.
“The hard part for me was learning how to put myself out there and to become more a part of the community like my father was, but to do it in a way that was authentic to me.”
Upholding a Business Philosophy Rooted in Fairness
Under Sumer’s leadership, her father’s business has continued to thrive, with a strong emphasis on fairness and integrity.
“My father always said, ‘We’re not in the business of selling people’s things. That is not our business. Our business is to store them,’” she said.
Temple has always honored her father's dedication to the community and his clients. That's why she continues to take an empathy-based approach when it comes to customers falling behind on payments.
“We try hard to work with our customers and offer payment plans instead of auctioning their unit off.”
Temple says she takes no pleasure in auction days, which she describes as heartbreaking.
“There’s nothing sadder to me than when I go to swap meets and see booths set up, and I realize that those were from storage units being auctioned off.”
A Commitment to Community Service
Temple is deeply committed to the Long Beach community, a value instilled in her by her father.
“My father always said, 'Everything we have, we owe to the Long Beach community. If we didn’t have their patronage, our family would have nothing,” she said. “As a business owner in the city, it’s your duty to give back.”
That's why Temple serves in various organizations, including the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the LBCC Foundation.
"My whole life, I watched my father give back to the community, not just in monetary ways, but with his time, his energy and his love," she said.
Her father was equally dedicated to public service, having played a pivotal role in reopening Community Hospital in the 1990s and serving on the Long Beach Airport Commission.
“I think sometimes he was ahead of his time because when you think about today’s generations — millennials and Gen Z — giving back is part of their lifestyle,” Temple said.
During recent wildfires, she saw the Long Beach community’s generosity on full display.
"I can’t remember a time I’ve been more proud of my city and the business community for their amazing support of victims and first responders during this tragedy," she said. "While other hotels were increasing prices to make a profit off those victims, hotels in LB were offering discounted rates and waiving fees. It’s just the Long Beach way to lead with our hearts above all else."
A Future Rooted in Growth and Giving Back
Temple envisions continued growth for Don Temple Storage while maintaining a strong commitment to philanthropy.
“For Temple Family Enterprises, I hope to continue to grow the business, maybe find some new avenues to invest in, and find ways to invest in our community as well,” she said.
That mission extends to Don Temple Storage, which sponsors local events and offers discounted storage rates to nonprofits. Her father also established a family foundation dedicated exclusively to supporting Long Beach organizations such as the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Long Beach Playhouse.
She also helped transition the company to online banking and mobile-friendly services.
“One thing I am proud of is that back in 2022, we made a million dollars for the first time in a year ever.”
Reaching that milestone was especially meaningful, knowing how close her father had come to achieving it before he passed away.
“I feel a great pride that I was able to carry the company to that milestone,” she said. “Even through COVID, through everything.”
"It’s just the Long Beach way to lead with our hearts above all else."
"My whole life, I watched my father give back to the community, not just in monetary ways, but with his time, his energy and his love," she said.