The Locksmith Journal 118 March 2026 | Page 9

Notice Board

Family-wise, there wasn’ t much discussion about my career change. Once I’ d made my mind up, they backed me and my partner has been supportive. Ultimately, this was my decision and I knew I needed the change. has probably been the biggest boost to my confidence. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and got my brain firing properly again.

At 56, starting something completely new is daunting. I’ m naturally confident, but I never want to turn up to a job and not know what I’ m doing. You’ re representing yourself and the wider brand. Reputation matters in this industry.

That’ s why continuous learning isn’ t optional. Products evolve, mechanisms change and security standards rise- if you stand still, you fall behind.

People Skills Transfer

One thing that has surprised me is how transferable my previous career has been. In finance, especially in fleet and leasing, you deal with people under pressure. You negotiate, you explain complex things clearly, you manage expectations. Locksmithing isn’ t that different.

When someone is locked out, stressed, or worried about security, empathy matters. Calm matters. Communication matters.

I’ ve always seen myself as a problem solver. Whether it was structuring a finance deal or diagnosing a failed gearbox in a door, the core principle is the same: understand the issue, analyse the options, deliver the solution.

Building Something That’ s Mine What excites me most is building something that’ s mine. In corporate life, you’ re building for someone else. Now, every review, every repeat customer, every recommendation feeds directly back into my own business.

I’ ve done the groundwork properly- I’ ve sorted my accountant and dealt with HMRC. Self-employment isn’ t just about the tools; it’ s about structure, planning and resilience.

The Adrenaline Factor

Outside of work, I’ ve always been into motorbikes. I ride a Harley-Davidson and a Ducati Panigale. The Ducati is raw adrenaline, and the Harley is easier to ride, but I still wanted to make it mine. I changed its colour from black to grey so it stood out. I didn’ t want another one that looked like everyone else’ s. That probably says a lot about me. I don’ t want to be another locksmith. I want to build a reputation for thoroughness, honesty and problem-solving ability. I want customers to know that when I turn up, I’ ll take the time to diagnose properly and give them the right solution, not just the quickest one.

In this trade every job is different, every mechanism presents its own puzzle and that stimulation is something I’ d lost in my previous role. Now, I finish a day knowing I’ ve physically solved problems.

Advice to Others Considering the Jump

If someone in their 40s or 50s is reading this thinking about a career change, I’ d say don’ t dismiss it because of your age. Yes, it’ s daunting. Yes, you’ ll question yourself. But if you’ re prepared to train properly, invest wisely, and stay humble enough to keep learning, it’ s achievable. For me, locksmithing wasn’ t an impulsive move. It was calculated, researched and analysed, but above all it was driven by passion.

Turning a hobby into a career isn’ t just a cliché. It’ s possible, if you’ re willing to back yourself.

More info Jason Layne is a franchisee of Lockfit covering nine areas across Wakefield in West Yorkshire. With a background spanning more than 30 years in motor industry finance and senior management, he transitioned into locksmithing in 2025 to pursue greater autonomy and long-term sustainability.

www. lockfit. co. uk / wakefield-locksmith, 07803 784635, jason. layne @ lockfit. co. uk