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Driven to Unlock
FROM GARAGE CONTACTS TO INDUSTRY TRAILBLAZER
» AUTO LOCKSMITH, PROBLEMsolver and the now the Auto Locksmiths Association’ s( ALA) first female committee member, Gemma Hemming of Lock Stock Barrel is reshaping perceptions in a traditionally male-dominated trade.
At the time Gemma entered the industry, there was only one other auto locksmith covering the Telford and Shrewsbury area, but Gemma Hemming saw a different kind of opportunity. Her route into locksmithing wasn’ t conventional, but that’ s what makes these stories so interesting- the trade is open to everyone from all walks of life.
From Garage Floor to Key Programming
I’ d done mechanics level 2 at college, so I already had that interest in how things work. My husband owned a garage, and I had some savings and a bit of money come my way, so I thought, why not? I’ d been self-employed before as a childminder, and I’ d worked in customer service and care, so I wasn’ t afraid of dealing with people. My husband actually suggested keys, and that was the start of it …
I trained with 1st Call Locksmiths in Birmingham, which gave me the foundation, but it didn’ t stop there. Every day is a school day in this job. I will have been in auto locksmithing 12 years in October 2026 and I’ m still learning. Back then, I didn’ t even advertise because I didn’ t need to. I had contacts through the garage, and that helped me get established. I’ ve still got regulars in places like Albrighton, Telford and Shrewsbury.
Precision, Patience & a Creative Mind
My approach to locksmithing is shaped by something I see as both a challenge and a strength- my ADHD.
I’ m quite arty. I like baking cakes, I like creating things, and locksmithing fits into that because you’ ve got to get it right. I like building and stripping locks, especially on older vehicles. There’ s something satisfying about understanding how it all works and putting it back together. That mindset feeds directly into how I work. I like the challenge, but not too much, it’ s about balance. I enjoy picking locks and figuring things out, it’ s almost like I have to solve it. That’ s just how my brain works.
But that drive for precision has also shaped how I handle risk. At the beginning, I was probably too cautious. If I wasn’ t 100 % sure, I’ d turn the job down. I don’ t like taking risks with other people’ s property. That held me back a bit, if I’ m honest. But at the same time, you’ ve got to try things to learn. It was about finding the right balance, knowing when to push yourself and when to step back.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
My development hasn’ t just come from formal training. Like a lot of people in this trade, I’ ve built my knowledge through a mix of hands-on experience and support from others.
I was good friends with Andy Marshall- Brown early on, and suppliers helped too. But a lot of it has been self-taught through videos online, the ALA group, and just speaking to other locksmiths. You build a network, and you find the people who are happy to work together. There’ s enough work for everyone in this trade, so need to worry about rivalry.
That collaborative side of things is really important. Being part of a group matters. You learn as much in the bar as you do in the training sessions. That’ s something people don’ t always realise.
Real Jobs, Real Challenges
The job is never just about the lock, it’ s everything that comes with it. I had one customer who refused to pay because he wasn’ t happy with the key. It was an EWS
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JUNE 2026
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