However I am looking at ways to scale up from my first rental.

We started to invest more resources in storage as we can get to scale quicker.

There is a large price range with these items, you could buy a $300 vanity from Home Depot or you could buy a $3000 custom one so it’s difficult to guess where on that scale the customer is.

Management overall tends to be a scale business, if there is not adequate density in an area, it does not make sense to have a management company present there.  

See that's the key, young blood being trained correctly, mentored and monitored much like how appraisers do it, the model doesn't really exist in real estate, not on scale at least. 

I made some money, but when I finally scaled to large MF, I saw the power of scale and what it could actually do. 

It won't make a millionaire overnight, but it will set you up for success and the ability to scale (if that's your goal) long-term.  

Also, using historical precedent, have other like-kind/large-scale businesses (FedEx, GEODIS, Home Depot, etc) chosen to open their own distribution centers within close proximity to the ADC? 

So that I could try to scale faster by using the BRRRR method.

This experience will help you as you grow and scale your portfolio.Best advice I can give you is to speak with an investor-friendly lender and narrow your search to target areas that fit your criteria and desired price-range.Best of luck to you moving forward!