10 years ago today, I had just finished an ‘advanced locksmith course’ and immediately started trading. I had initially called the company Secure Lock Force, just to have the same initials as my all-time favourite band, Stiff Little Fingers. A friend, who at the time was the bands graphics and merchandising manager, was tasked to create a logo that was catchy and strong. He advised me against my initial company name as he thought people may think that I forced locks so it was back to the drawing board. After trawling the internet for inspiration, I had an idea. I called my brother and asked, what do you think of Sir Fix-a-lock? His immediate reply was ‘day and knight’, so the puntastic idea was set in stone.
I didn’t know the first thing about business, didn’t know what sole-trader, limited company, VAT, networking or marketing was. I still had 2.5 years left to serve in the Army but wanted to hit the ground running when I retired after 25 years service. I set all my spare time to learn what a business was and started to grow Sir Fix-a-lock very slowly. I only had my car to work out of and a shelf in my garage. I had zero locksmith experience, only the extreme basics of a course. Luckily a Master Locksmith, Chris Belcher, took me under his wing and mentored me. Chris and his wife Suzzie looked after me not only professionally but also treated me like a son. They were the bedrock of Sir Fix-a-lock, giving the company sound foundations to work from.
Things started to take off and I needed a van. Guinevere was born and was logoed up to be my steed. This gave the business a real professional look and started the mobile advertising as well as being able to carry everything needed. By the time I left the Army in Dec 2013, Sir Fix-a-lock was well established with a strong clientele base. Chris had passed me his clientele as well so I really did hit the ground running. I looked at other ventures for the business besides locksmithing so went on a UPVC repair course which was a real game changer. Chris also taught me about safes to become a safe engineer, a very niche discipline in the industry.
Year after year, the company has grown from strength-to-strength, winning awards along the way and being nominated every single year since 2014. In 2015, Camelock, my very own commercial building was purchased to operate the business from on Plymouth’s Hoe. The whole business has been growing year after year and last year, I employed James, an ex Royal Navy serviceman as my squire to help this knight! I passed my Master Locksmith exam at the same time and things were looking great when Covid came along. I initially thought this was going to hurt a lot so I spent the initial lockdown planning for a strong future. I got a whole new website sorted and looked at marketing the business more. This planning paid off and we have had our most successful year to date despite the pandemic.
So, from a car and a shelf to having a commercial building, one full-time employee and a part-time admin assistant, 2 vans and more tools than I care to mention, this has been one fantastic journey and I must admit to have having the time of my life whilst growing Sir Fix-a-lock.
I have so many people to thank for my journey, far too many to name. I have only mentioned Chris as he was the most exceptional person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting…I just wish he was here now to see what I’ve achieved. I suppose the only other name I can mention is (Came)Lottie, my little furball Wookie who goes absolutely everywhere with me, such great companionship to have. To the rest of you and all my customers, thank you. Sir Fix-a-lock wouldn’t be the success it is without you all supporting it along the way. Here’s to the future and hoping Covid goes away so we can have a proper party on the next milestone!