Notice Board
company so the future’ s looking good.
I’ ve taken everything slowly. I want to do it right, build my reputation carefully, and make sure customers get proper service. I’ m also Trading Standards Approved now which helps give customers confidence in my service.
Keeping Up & Networking
I attended the MLA expo to see what’ s new and spent a bit of money on expensive tools that will probably sit in the back of the van. I met up with other locksmiths and enjoyed a bit of banter— it’ s always great to share ideas, see how others are finding work, and learn how they approach different challenges. Sharing knowledge keeps me sharp and often gives me new ideas I can apply to Eaton Locksmiths. I’ m also part of Facebook and WhatsApp locksmith groups. I haven’ t posted much yet, but I read and learn from other people’ s experiences. It’ s a good way to pick up tips and see what works in the field. about rogue locksmiths ripping people off, so I make sure every job I do is done properly and improves security for my customers.
How Things Have Changed Since June 2024
Over the past year, I’ ve been carefully building my business, focusing on my workmanship quality, my reputation, and expanding my range of services.
The business is going well. I set myself targets, and I’ ve been hitting them. I take my time on each job and make sure it’ s done right I prefer quality to quantity when it comes to work, and over the past few months that approach has really helped me build a reputation. Most of my work now comes from recommendations.
It took about six or seven months for people to get to know who I am and establish that good reputation but by taking my time with each job and building rapport with customers it’ s led to regular work coming in. I’ m now in the fortunate position where I can pick and choose which jobs I take on. I’ m also very honest with customers and if a job is above my knowledge or skill set( like automotive or safes) I’ ll tell them and recommend other local locksmiths. Through training courses and the MLA, I’ ve got to know some very good locksmiths and I try to pass the work on to local people I know will do a good job.
Learning and Expanding Services
Since June, I’ ve completed a couple more MLA courses and the ASSA Abloy Foundations course. I’ ve also done training with alarm and CCTV companies – Ajax, Uni-view, HKC – and I’ m planning to start installing these systems. I’ ve already installed a couple of cameras and by offering alarms and CCTV alongside locksmithing, it allows me to offer customers the full security package. It has also led to other opportunities such as potentially having a contract providing Mobile CCTV units for a construction
Looking Ahead
I’ m building the alarm and CCTV side as well as developing the access control a bit more. As I’ m a one-man band I have to be aware of my limitations and avoid the temptation not to take on too much, I’ m quite happy with my workload at the moment. I pick the jobs I want, am honest with customers, and keep learning and developing at a pace that suits me.
I don’ t miss the Police at all. I miss some of my colleagues and the banter, the job was rewarding, but it was massively understaffed and highly stressful. Here, I have control, I enjoy my work, and I can focus on doing each job properly. I take my time, I do things right, and I build my reputation step by step. That’ s how I want Eaton Locksmiths to grow.
Eaton Locksmiths is based in Moulton, Northwich, covering Cheshire West and surrounding areas. Founded by Jim Eaton, the company provides domestic locksmithing, van locks, roller shutters, and is expanding into CCTV, alarms, and access control. Jim combines his experience as a former Army and Police officer with accredited MLA training to deliver honest, professional, and handson security solutions.
www. eatonlocksmiths. com, 07948 796585, Jim3003 @ eatonlocksmiths. com
NOVEMBER 2025
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Issue Takeover locksmithjournal. co. uk