Expert: James - 5/4/2003

Question
I am currenly taking a locksmithing program. I plan to open a small business in the near future.  I have a full time job that works out great due to the fact that i have my schedule for the whole year in advance. I work two day's on one week and five day's the next evey other weekend ,12 hour shift's.My question is with a schedule like this am i going to make any money due to the fact that i'm not avaliable evey day 24 hours a day? Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

Answer
Hello J.R.,

Taking a Locksmithing program is a good start.  It unfortunately doesn't always cover what you may need to know when you start getting calls.  I suggest that once you get the course done you purchase some books that will help you learn about areas that weren't covered in the course.

Lock picking, safe and vault service, automotive locks, high security locks, IC Cores and electronic locks are things that about every locksmith should know about.

It's important to have a little knowledge of all areas of locksmithing and a lot of knowledge about one or two areas in order to serve your future customers well.

Your schedule may cause problems with a business but you have to start somewhere if you want to persue this.  I started my business while working full time elsewhere and ran it with a full time job for 1-1/2 years before finally getting enough business on a regular basis to do it full time.  I had many nights with little sleep since I would, and still do, get calls in the middle of the night and then have to go to my full time job at 7 A.M.  Some sacrafices have to be made with any business venture and you will just have to juggle your regular job with your business when you get started.

You may go weeks without a late call or you may have one every night.  It all depends on the population of the area in which you want to service and the number of other locksmiths in that same area.

Don't forget to find your niche - something that you can offer that no other locksmith in your area can or will do.  Without a service that stands out people will not remember you, nor will any advertising you do stand out.

Good luck.

James
www.jmlock.com