At just 19 years old, Andy Kent entered locksmithing because he needed a job. Fifteen years later, after working his way from bench locksmith to branch manager, he has taken the leap into self-employment. He’s only five months into running AK Locksmiths & Security, and his business is already thriving, driven by years of practical experience, a strong social media presence and a determination to build something his family can be proud of.
Learning the Trade the Right Way
When I became a locksmith at 19, it certainly wasn’t because it had always been my dream career. Like many young people, I was simply trying to find a job and eventually secured a position with Access Key & Lock, an MLA member at the time, and although the company is no longer trading, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to learn the trade because I was surrounded by experienced locksmiths who were willing to pass on their knowledge.
Over the next eight years I progressed through the business until I was managing both the Southampton and Winchester branches, gaining experience that went far beyond simply opening doors or changing locks. Working on the bench taught me how locks function internally, impressioning, key cutting, repairing ignition barrels and stripping mechanisms apart, and I still believe that understanding what is happening inside a lock is one of the most valuable skills any locksmith can develop.
While training courses undoubtedly have their place, I think there is a danger that some people expect a few days of training to prepare them fully for the trade, whereas working for an established locksmith exposes you to hundreds of different locks, mechanisms and customer situations that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom. Starting on the bench gave me the confidence to diagnose problems properly because I already understood how the mechanisms worked before I encountered them in customers’ homes.
Taking the Leap
After spending 15 years working for other people, there came a point where I felt I had developed the experience and confidence to build something of my own, and although leaving the security of employment was a daunting decision, I knew I would regret it far more if I never gave myself the opportunity to try.
I’ve only been self-employed for five months, but everything is moving in the right direction and I’m regularly completing around nine jobs each day, which has reassured me that I made the right decision. There will always be people who tell you that starting your own business is too risky or that you’ll never make it work, but my view has always been that you’ll never know what you’re capable of unless you’re prepared to take that first step.
My ambition extends well beyond simply keeping busy because, within the next five years, I’d like to open my own locksmith shop and continue building a business that my family can become part of. My children are 11, seven and five, and my eldest son, who is autistic, often comes to work with me on Saturdays because he genuinely enjoys seeing what I do, so the idea of creating something that could eventually become a family business gives me even more motivation to keep pushing forward.
Working Together Makes Everyone Stronger
One of the things I value most about locksmithing is the willingness of genuine professionals to help one another because, despite running separate businesses, many of us regularly share advice, recommend trusted locksmiths and pass work between ourselves when we’re unable to attend.
I think it’s important to look after your own business without becoming selfish because supporting other locksmiths ultimately benefits customers as well as the industry itself. I’d particularly like to thank Phil, Jaye and Mason from We Are Locksmiths, together with Mark Whettingsteel from BlackDog Locksmiths (who originally employed me at Access Key & Lock) and played an important role in helping me develop my career.
Making Social Media Work
Rather than spending money on Google or Meta advertising, I’ve focused on building my business organically through social media because I think customers want to see the person behind the business as much as the work itself. I post something every day, making sure the content is always different, and I use TikTok to edit videos before sharing them across Facebook and local community groups, which has allowed me to reach far more people than I ever expected.
Some of those videos have attracted more than 50,000 views and, over the past month alone, my Facebook content has been viewed around 200,000 times, proving that consistency and creativity can often achieve more than a large advertising budget. Social media changes constantly, but I think locksmiths who are prepared to adapt and engage with their local communities have a real opportunity to grow their businesses without relying solely on paid marketing.
Expecting the Unexpected
One of the reasons I still enjoy locksmithing after 15 years is that no two days are ever alike, and throughout my career I’ve worked everywhere from morgues to large residential developments, replaced the locks on 180 flats, attended countless welfare checks and dealt with customers in situations that you simply couldn’t invent. One memorable call involved rescuing a lady who had somehow become trapped inside a full-height storage cupboard within her own flat, meaning I first had to gain entry to the property before opening the cupboard itself after she had been stuck inside for two hours, which perfectly sums up why locksmithing remains such an interesting profession because every day brings a completely different challenge.
Thrilled to Feature in TLJ
When I worked in the shop, we used to get The Locksmith Journal delivered every month and I remember reading it. I’m so excited (gobsmacked even) to be featured in the magazine! It’s a great honour and privilege, and yes, I will be talking about it on my socials!
info@aklocksmiths&security.co.uk
07474 089341
Instagram: Aklocksmithssecurity
More info
AK Locksmiths & Security provides domestic and commercial locksmith services throughout Hampshire, specialising in emergency lock opening, lock repairs, replacements, security upgrades and master key systems. Founded by Andy Kent following 15 years in the locksmithing industry, the business combines extensive bench locksmithing experience with a customer-focused approach and an innovative social media strategy, while working towards the long-term ambition of establishing a family-run locksmith business.