From the Editor
When opportunity knock knocks …
The rush of December is behind us, the diary is a little quieter, and there is more space to think about the year ahead, the business, and sometimes ourselves.
» LAST WEEK, I JOINED A MARKETING WEBINAR LED BY a respected business voice from an industry closely aligned with ours. It was one of those sessions that gets you thinking, not just about business strategy, but about how we approach decisions more generally.
One comment that stuck with me was the idea that uncertainty creates opportunity.
That might sound bold, but it felt more reassuring than intimidating. In both business and life, uncertain moments often prompt us to pause, reassess, and make small but useful changes. The question“ If not now, when?” felt less like pressure and more like a gentle nudge.
There was also some discussion around spotting gaps, areas others might overlook while waiting for the perfect time. Professionally, that could mean adjusting how we work or exploring something new. Personally, it might be about improving routines, learning something different, or tackling something we have been meaning to get around to for a while.
Another point that resonated was understanding what you already have to work with. In business terms, that is people, skills, tools, and systems. On a personal level, it is much the same. Experience and relationships count for a lot, and sometimes progress comes not from adding more, but from using what is already there a little better.
One phrase I particularly liked was“ don’ t disappear when you’ re busy.” While it was said in a business context, it applies just as easily elsewhere. Staying connected with customers, colleagues, friends, or family often matters most when things are going well, not just when we need support.
This is not about reinventing everything or setting unrealistic resolutions. It is simply a reminder that the start of the year is a good moment to notice what is working, make small adjustments, and approach both work and life with a bit of intention.
As January gets underway, perhaps it is less about grand plans and more about steady progress, paying attention, investing in relationships, and letting small changes now set the tone for the months ahead.
See you next time, Gemma
HELLO 2026: A FRESH YEAR OF LOCKSMITH STORIES BEGINS
» HAPPY NEW YEAR! ROLLING INTO 2026 AND picking up where I left off before Christmas. It’ s a reminder that it’ s the only holiday when almost everything stops … unless you’ re a locksmith.
This month, we’ re travelling from the South Coast to the North West, and even as far as Iceland, to meet locksmiths who are shaping the trade in remarkable ways. January is all about people who’ ve carved their own path in the trade, from military precision to accidental pioneers, and those with extra skills in making people laugh.
We start in Southampton, where Mark Howells of KeyLock Locksmiths reminds us that every day in locksmithing really is a school day. Mark’ s journey from window glazing to running his own locksmith business was a lesson in adaptability, hands-on skill, and the thrill of solving problems for real people.
Over in Plymouth, we meet Chris Levy of Fenris Security, a former Royal Navy specialist who brings military precision to modern locksmithing. From electronic warfare to physical penetration testing, Chris proves that honesty, structure, and logic can be just as important as any tool in the kit.
Up in Liverpool, Ian Casson of Excalibur Security shows us the lighter side of the trade. Possibly Britain’ s first auto locksmith. Ian’ s recipe for success is simple: get in early, stay in the game, and keep everyone laughing. From Ford to Vauxhall, his reputation for reliability is legendary, but it’ s his humour and warmth that leave the lasting impression- he’ s even known for getting people laughing at ALA Galas.
Offline and thriving, Stantons Leeds proves that decades of family reputation and word-of-mouth trust keep homes and housing associations safe and secure; no website or social media needed.
And finally, we jet north to Iceland, where Odinn Sigurdsson of Lasar Iceland works in one of the most challenging environments in Europe. Between unpredictable weather, isolation, and a fast-changing security landscape, Odinn has built his expertise the hard way: adapting quickly, learning on the go, and refusing to let geography dictate what his team can achieve.
So, here’ s to 2026 … A year full of challenges, problems to solve, and stories worth telling. If you’ ve got a tale to share, drop me a line at wendy @ cvgroup. co. uk.
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JANUARY 2026
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