David Inglis talks about the success he’s had since becoming a LockRite franchisee in 2020.

September 23rd 2021 was my second complete year of trading as a LockRite Locksmith Franchisee, I can honestly say, this has been one of my better decisions in life.

After completing 24 years’ service in H M Forces, I became a Railway Technical Engineer for 7 years. It’s hard to imagine the similarities between these two professions, but they are very much alike. Arduous, demanding, tiring, stressful and at times plain crazy. But also very rewarding, with a sense of achievement and satisfaction at doing something to a very high standard or having a desired effect. A big part of both of these jobs was knowing that somebody, or a number of people are directly benefiting from the work that I have done, whether on my own or as part of a team. This has always been a personal focus of mine, to do the best I can and take reward in the satisfaction that my work is needed and appreciated. Unfortunately, the 7 years as a Railway Engineer took its toll, the work/life balance wasn’t there for me, and (I don’t mind admitting) I lost my way. It was all work and no play, I was getting older and realising that life isn’t all about being successful at work, it’s also about being happy, and I wasn’t.

As luck would have it, a very good friend of mine who is also ex-military and a LockRite Locksmith, told me about the franchise opportunity available for the area in which I am now living. In fact, I had actually quizzed him about becoming a locksmith 2 years prior to leaving the railway, but the timing wasn’t right. Now it was right for various reasons and it was time to make a move. Life changing decisions aren’t easy to make but, I did the research, made initial contact with LockRite and spent a whole day in Exeter at LockRite Head Office. I met ‘The Bosses’, ‘The Trainer’, ‘The Team’; I talked to them, asked questions I needed to ask and was given all the information I needed to make a clear and informed decision. They weren’t just interviewing me, I was also interviewing them; that’s important! Buying into a franchise isn’t cheap, it’s a big commitment both financially and personally. After careful deliberation, I had no doubt that after 31 years of ‘working for someone else’, I could make it on my own, and still have that sense of reward, achievement and satisfaction without detriment to my personal well-being. I could be in control of how, when and where on my terms and still be successful at work and in life.

The five week training course was second-to-non! Structured, very professional and relevant. I was taught everything I needed to know about being a Locksmith to start trading and earn an income from day one. Yes I had self-doubts and worries, that’s normal and I would be concerned if I wasn’t, but the technical help was always, and still is available whenever needed. The LockRite network of franchisees is also available to help and suggest solutions to difficult situations too. Working for yourself doesn’t mean you’re on always on your own, the team is there to help whenever required and having that level of back-up is a massive confidence boost. The first few weeks were daunting to say the least. In principle it was exactly as I had been taught, but in practice it was very different. I had to make on-the-spot decisions and achieve solutions to problems I hadn’t expected. In hindsight, the solution was exactly as I had been taught, it was only the problem had been presented in a different way than expected. So just over two years later, I know I made the right decision to become a Locksmith. There will always be something new that I haven’t seen or done, but I have the confidence and skills to find the solution and do a good job for my customers.