From the Editor
Strictly security season
» WE ALL HAVE A DIFFERENT WAY OF REALISING that summer is over and winter is on its way . The first get up and it ’ s still dark . Changing from work shorts to trousers . Finally admitting we need the heating on . A new series of a certain celebrity dance contest starting again on Saturday night . Whatever seasonal signpost stands out to you , there ’ s comfort in the same changes every year , even if we never appreciate the first morning we need to deice the car or van . By the time you get this magazine , the clocks will have fallen back to , and we ’ ve all enjoyed that one extra hour we go back , that was snatched away back in March .
People often say that we don ’ t get ‘ proper seasons ’ anymore , when it comes to the weather . But whether you work in commercial , domestic or auto locksmithing , we do seem to have ‘ seasons ’ in safety and security . Of course , emergency call out work is always perennial , but there certainly seems to be summer and winter jobs for locksmiths – often led by homeowners ’ priorities and decision making .
That ’ s why it ’ s no coincidence that National Home Security Month falls in October . As we all start to hunker down for the winter months , burglars and thieves are warming up to operate in the cover of darkness . And now that the summer holidays are over , people start to plan festive nights out , filling the house with presents for Christmas , leaving their cars running and unoccupied while deicing ( not a locksmith problem ) but we will start to see security advice for the public , which means we need to be prepared to answer that demand .
While , this is the season for the public to start thinking about security more , for locksmiths it ’ s all in a day ’ s work . And for The Locksmith Journal , it ’ s our monthly mission to make sure you have all the information you need January to December . So , while we can ’ t stop anyone messing with your heating thermostat , or make you a brew to warm you up after hours outside picking , drilling or installing new locks , we ’ ll always be here when you sit down at the end of a long day ( or you need to something to read when you don ’ t want to watch Strictly ).
See you next time , Gemma
ESCAPING CORPORATE LIFE & BAD BOSSES : OUR LOCKSMITHING JOURNEYS
» THIS MONTH , WE CAUGHT UP WITH TWO interesting locksmiths both with different stories to tell , however , with something in common … They both were driven by their desire to ditch the corporate 9-to-5 way of working and regain control of their lives , earn a decent living and be their own boss .
We caught up with Gary Wraight whom made a significant career change by transitioning from a sales role into running a LockFit franchise in Romford , Essex . He told us why he wanted to ditch the corporate life and become self-employed . And , how he went through the process of choosing an alternative career , funnily enough ended up being locksmithing ... With the ultimate goal of making a ‘ decent crust ’ in mind , Gary told us how existing skills never to go waste , having made use of his sales skills to effectively sell and market his locksmith services .
Barrie Howell of Owl Locksmiths & Security , based in Hayle , Cornwall , told us why he decided to become self-employed after being unimpressed with bosses in the world of employment . Barrie embarked on lots of different self-employed ventures such as being managing a sports club and a scuba diving school , commercial driving and finally sticking at locksmithing . Contemplating retirement , Barrie told us it ’ s not time to hang up his lockpicks yet ! Starting locksmithing is relatively easy , it ’ s stopping that ’ s the hard part . Having worked all over the UK , Barrie told us how locksmithing differs from north , to-mid , to south west – how people and products are different . Locksmithing isn ’ t just a trade but a commitment , check out Barrie ’ s top tips .
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this month ’ s issue and to date so far . Would you like to see yourself in the magazine ? Let me interview you and write a story on your business for our next edition of Locksmith Journal - it ’ s totally free-ofcharge . All you need to do is get in-touch and spare 20 minutes of your time to tell us : locksmith lifehacks , top tips and advice . How you market yourselves effectively ? How did you get into the trade ? Any sector news or funny stories to tell ?
Email me on wendy @ cvgroup . co . uk
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OCTOBER 2024
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