Are You A Fit?

Is a locksmith career right for me?

My choice of career has kept me employed for over 50 years and taken me all over the world. While part of my story is not typical (the globe trotting part) I can say that being a locksmith presents great opportunities such as;

  • Working for yourself
  • Working for a locksmith shop
  • Working as an institutional locksmith at a college, university or hospital
  • Working as an in-house locksmith for a large company
  • Working for a lock manufacturer

The last item in the list is what took me all over the world. I worked for Onity, a leading manufacturer of electronic hotel locks and we did business in several countries. Being a locksmith can be an exciting career if you put forth the effort and get involved in your career, and as a volunteer for ALOA, the locksmith trade association. My volunteer work introduced me to new people which led me to new opportunities and expanded my career. I am forever grateful.

Do I need a college degree to become a locksmith?

NO, but you should have a high school diploma, and:

  • Understand basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, etc.)
  • Be able to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with proper punctuation.
  • Be able to communicate without slang words and social media terms (LOL, OMG, WTF etc) Your customers are not your peers!
  • Have a clean background check free of any criminal activity or record.
  • Have a good credit rating.
  • Have the ability to be accepting and compassionate with with a wide variety of people from diverse walks of life.
  • Your friends should say you have basic “common sense”, and that you don’t do stupid or irrational things.
  • Be willing to expand your comfort zone and get involved in your community because that is where sales will come from. First, join your local Toastmasters club and learn public speaking. Then join the Chamber of Commerce or similar civic minded public service groups. Advise the program chairman that you are available to give free presentations to the members. It should be general in nature and inform the audience of the services provided by locksmiths. (most people don’t know what we really do). (My favorite, when in front of business people, was to talk about the benefits of restricted key systems.)

Evaluate your hobbies:

If your hobbies lean more toward building and fixing things, then you are a good candidate for a locksmith career.

Did you grow up taking things apart and fixing them?
For example:

  • fixing your own plumbing
  • basic home electrical wiring and repairs
  • small appliance repair
  • working on your own car
  • woodworking and carpentry

Self Assessment:

If you want to be a success as a locksmith, you should start by doing a self assessment.

  • You should be more “Left brained” than “right brained”.
  • You should score very well (more than 80%) on the Bennet Mechanical Aptitude test.
    • iphone app free – search “Bennet test full”.
    • iPhone app paid $9.99 – search “Bennet Test Pro”
    • Android – search “Bennettest” or “Bennettest.full” One is free, one is $0.99
    • This info was OK as of 03/2024
    • The ICON for the app is shown below.

Self Employment:

If your dream is to start your own locksmith business, be aware that you will spend 20% of your time doing actual locksmith work and the remaining 80% of the time managing the business. In addition to taking locksmith classes, you NEED to take some small business classes. Some of the things you need to know are :

  • Business Planning
    • Business Plan: Create a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, strategies, market research, and financial projections.
    • Business Structure: Choose the right legal structure for your business (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation).
  • Financial Management
    • Startup Costs: Identify and plan for initial startup costs including equipment, inventory, and licensing fees. Plan on not making a profit for at least 1 year.
    • Budgeting: Establish a budget and stick to it to manage expenses and revenue.
    • Funding: Explore funding options such as loans, grants, and investors.
    • Accounting: Set up an accounting system to track income, expenses, and profit. Consider hiring an accountant or using accounting software.
  • Taxes and Regulations
    • Business Taxes: Understand and comply with local, state, and federal tax obligations. This includes sales tax, payroll tax, income tax and mandatory quarterly deposits.
    • Tax ID: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
    • Tax Deductions: Familiarize yourself with tax deductions and credits available for small businesses.
    • Local Compliance: Your city, county, and state will have regulations regarding permits and licenses to conduct business in their jurisdiction. Dont ignore them.
  • Marketing
    • Branding: Develop a strong brand identity, including a logo, business name, and tagline.
    • Online Presence: Create a professional website and maintain active social media profiles.
    • SEO: Optimize your website for search engines to increase online visibility.
    • Advertising: Utilize online advertising (Google Ads, social media ads) and traditional methods (flyers, local newspapers).
    • Networking: Join local business associations and attend networking events.
    • Obtaining Customers: Where will your customers come from? How will you attract new customers? If there are no jobs on the books for this week, what will you do about it?
  • Customer Relations
    • Customer Service: Learn how to provide excellent customer service to build loyalty and attract repeat business.
    • Feedback: Encourage and respond to customer feedback to improve your products or services.
    • CRM System: Implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to manage interactions with current and potential customers. (This can be very simple)
  • Operations
    • Location: Choose a suitable business location based on your target market and business needs.
    • Suppliers: Establish relationships with reliable suppliers.
    • Inventory Management: Implement an efficient inventory management system to track stock levels.
    • Insurance: Obtain necessary business insurance (liability, property, workers’ compensation).
  • Legal Considerations
    • Licenses and Permits: Acquire all necessary licenses and permits to operate legally.
    • Compliance: Ensure compliance with industry regulations and labor laws.
    • Contracts: Use legally binding contracts for agreements with suppliers, clients, and employees.
  • Human Resources
    • Hiring: Develop a hiring process to find qualified employees.
    • Training: Provide comprehensive training to ensure employees are well-prepared.
    • Payroll: Set up a payroll system to manage employee wages and taxes.
  • Professional Services
    • Retain a Lawyer to organize your business structure, and maintain the relationship.
    • Retain an accountant and listen to their advice.
    • Hire a bookkeeper
  • Technology
    • IT Infrastructure: Invest in necessary technology and software for business operations.
    • Cybersecurity: Implement cybersecurity measures to protect business data.
  • Growth and Development
    • Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends and best practices through involvement with the trade association, seminars, trade shows and conventions.
    • Scalability: Plan for business growth and scalability.
    • Innovation: Continuously seek ways to innovate and improve your business offerings.