Scott Ward of East Cleveland Lock & Key took up locksmithing after being made redundant from the oil service industry. With a childhood passion of becoming a Rolex watch repairer, locksmithing was the easier choice.
My Journey into Locksmithing
My journey into locksmithing began after I was made redundant from the oil service industry – I worked offshore in Norway. I had always been fascinated by intricate, detailed work and had once considered becoming a Rolex watch repairer. However, locksmithing proved to be a more accessible career choice. After watching a few YouTube videos, I found it to be attainable and soon found myself immersed in the world of locks and keys.
I went on a five-day locksmith course, which ignited my passion even more. Eager to learn, I bought a van, got it professionally stickered, and started marketing myself. I joined WhatsApp groups, filled with locksmiths helping each other, that became an invaluable resource for me. A big shoutout to Jamie Kettyles from AL Security for his brilliant, highly supportive, WhatsApp group.
The first year was tough, and I only made £6,500, which was a significant drop after leaving my well-paid job. Thankfully, I had some savings to fall back on. By the second and third years, my work began to pick up as my name became known in the community.
The Highs and the Lows
Being self-employed offers me the flexibility I cherish, especially when it comes to problem-solving. I love the challenge of fixing things that aren’t working and the satisfaction that comes with it. My customers’ gratitude makes my job even more rewarding – 99 out of 100 customers are wonderful. I find that quick fixes that allow me to say “it’s free of charge” give me immense job satisfaction – it’s not all about the money. I am proud to be a local locksmith in my local community, where people get to know me and rely on me. As a local locksmith, not part of a national firm, I pride myself on excellent customer service where my goal is to provide fair, reliable, and friendly service, or just some advice. All prices are discussed upfront to avoid surprises.
Of course, there’re downsides, like getting called in the middle of the night, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. For this reason, I no longer offer a 24-hour service and say ‘no’ to the out of hours jobs.
To manage the workload, my partner Sophie now handles the phone calls for me. I found that I was missing out on jobs because it felt rude to take calls while working on another job. It’s difficult to come across appropriately while engaged in an intricate task.
Clanger Alert!
A few weeks ago, I dropped a clanger! A guy who had bought a property at an auction asked me to change the locks. When I arrived, I saw the front door was already tampered with and mangled, so I headed around the back of the property. I thought the address was number 11, but as I walked through the back gate and, what I thought was the door, I found a woman making tea. It turned out I was at number 9 by mistake… The confusion was due to the terrace housing and house no.1 having two back gates which threw out the sequencing. I really like the challenges that locksmithing offers. Each day is unique and presents a diverse range of tasks, making it difficult to predict what will come next. What you don’t know you can always learn.
Work-life Balance
In 2017, East Cleveland Lock & Key expanded into alarms and CCTV, so now we handle both locks and security systems. I considered diving into the auto locksmithing side of things, but realised it’s too much to juggle everything. The balance I’ve found – 50/50 between locksmithing and security systems – works perfectly. It’s manageable and allows for valuable family time. I don’t want to miss out on my little one growing up. The plan for next year is to keep this balance and ensure I earn enough to live comfortably.
Advice to New Locksmiths
If you’re looking for training, check out Seth Ryden at Fortress LS Training School in Blackburn. He shares videos on the UK Locksmith Hub on Facebook, which are game-changing. Seth is always willing to help and answer questions. My advice: don’t hesitate to ask for help. Avoid offering 24-hour service; it can take over your life. Don’t be afraid to turn down jobs that are beyond your skill set; refer them to someone else. It’s all about passing it on. Locksmith work karma: what you give will come back to you twofold. Help others and they will help you.
When becoming a locksmith, in the early days you’ll find that you’re influenced by the people who help you, they will guide you well. One person that has really help me on my journey is Natasha from APECS – their products are excellent and she’s a great point of contact. For CCTV, I use Dahua CCTV from Mast Digital. They hold training days and always have someone available to help on the phone. Personal contacts make all the difference. I prefer this over dealing with big corporations.
Marketing My Business
I’ve found Instagram and TikTok to be invaluable for marketing. Video content really works. I make stories on busy days showing where I am and what I’m doing. It helps people see your business and build confidence before they hire you. Just forget about everyone else (who is seeing your posts) and don’t be shy. It’s free advertising, and everyone does it, social media is a marketing necessity.
Resources: The Locksmith Journal & Networking
I love reading the Locksmith Journal for updates on new products. Since I can’t always attend trade shows, it’s a great way to catch up. The articles from other locksmiths are helpful, and I often reach out to them to connect if we’re in the same area. Making other locksmith contacts is valuable, especially when you’re starting out, feel free to reach out to me. No question is silly.
Products – spoke to Natasha and just use them because she’s helpful and a point of contact APECS. Very good products. Dahua CCTV – Mast digital they hold training days, got a contact always on the end of the phone. I find that I need a personal contact. I don’t want to be chasing big corporations.
More information
East Cleveland Lock & Key offers locksmith services, CCTV setups, and wireless alarm installations. As an NCFE level 3 qualified locksmith, they can help with everything from unlocking homes to fixing window handles. They also adjust UPVC doors and open jammed windows.
Services include:
- Replacement locks/door mechanisms
- High-security euro cylinders
- Window and door repairs
- Snapped key removal
- Faulty lock repair
- Door hinges and handles replacement
- Standard and mortice lock replacement
- Crime prevention measures (eg. door and window jammers, safety latches)
07376 474357