Mike Lynch

Back in the day, I was the big lad at the door, making sure the drunken eejits didn't cause too much trouble.

But after too many nights dealing with pissed-up punters, I thought, "Sod this, I need a change."

So I got into the bailiff game. You know, like those guys on "Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away!" Big up Channel 5 for the idea!

I got myself trained, got the bit of paper, and off I went.

But being a bailiff ain't all it's cracked up to be. It can be hard, dealing with folk who are having a tough time. It proper wears you down.

However, one day, I was out sorting a flat, and I met this locksmith who was also a bailiff. We have a natter over a brew, and he starts banging on about locksmithing for gas and leccy warrants. And that's when it clicked!

I thought, "Why not do both?"

So, I shelled out a load of dosh for a locksmith course. Started juggling bailiff work and locksmithing. But then, 2020 hits and COVID puts the brakes on everything!

There I was, all tooled up with my new locksmith skills, ready to smash it.

But the world had other plans. It decided to have a kip. 😴

So, back to security work I went. Big up HS2 for keeping me busy!

However, because I can't sit on my ass for long. I started thinking, "What's next?"

And just when I'm thinking about putting my feet up, an opportunity comes knocking. And it's not just a little tap. It's a massive bang, asking me to cover the whole bloody country with locksmith work.

"Flippin' heck," I thought, "that's a bit of a tall order!" 🌍

But I'm not one to bottle it. I started small, up North, then slowly but surely grew my little empire down to the Midlands.

Fast forward to now, and here I am, running Specialised Locksmiths. We are working with very credible clients in the enforcement, liquidation, NDE warrant and vacant property sectors. Plus we are supporting other huge companies, too!

It's been a wild ride, but I wouldn't change a thing. I've found what I'm meant to do, and I'm buzzing about it.

What about you? What unexpected turns has life thrown your way? And where have they led you?

If you have any access issues or concerns give us a call!

We'll be in and out before you can swipe left.

The weekend just gone, I attended 14 jobs, drove 1032 miles and visited:

- Bradford
- Hull
- Sheffield
- Cheltenham
- Gloucester
- Glastonbury
- Torquay
- Uxbridge
- East Grinstead

Then this week I am in:

- Warrington
- Leicester
- Scotland
- Birmingham
- Leeds

I'm incredibly grateful for all my clients wanting to work with me and the team. The commercial locksmith work is keeping us busy across a large part of the country, and I'm thankful for the trust our clients place in us.

P.S. My van now thinks it's an aircraft.

Locks, shutters and door entry systems are our expertise.

Just don't ask us about that "incognito" folder on your work computer.

Did you know Specialised Locksmiths are now on Tik Tok!

Go give us a follow please!

TikTok · Specialised Locksmiths Check out Specialised Locksmiths’s video.

My mam spent all yesterday in stitches, watching me try to act.

She was at my office the whole day, helping me get into character and all that.

It all started when my marketing guy said we needed to stand out. To be different - and a little disruptive.

It's a tall order, but we're giving it a go.

We ended up finding a video content strategist who's even more off his rocker than we are.

You'll see the blooper reel very soon - my mam's there, wetting herself laughing, while I'm shouting, "Take one million and 24!" like some bargain bin Spielberg.

Got to admit - as the day went on, I really got into it. Maybe a bit too much, if I'm being honest.

Currently sat here visualising myself walking down the red carpet, Oscar in hand.

Definitely gonna ruin what little street cred I've got left.

Watch this space! 🤣

The only stranger in your bedroom should be the one you swiped right on.

But in England and Wales, uninvited guests are becoming a shocking trend.

So far, in 2024, a staggering 234,200 burglaries have already been reported.

This alarming figure translates to:

- 641 break-ins per day
- 27 homes violated every hour
- 1 burglary every 2.24 minutes

Here's how to secure your home without breaking the bank ⬇️

I went to my first in-person networking event last week for the first time in ages.

And you know what?

It turned out to be a right success.

Met some great people with potential for bringing on more clients.

A few even recognised me for being active on LinkedIn.

Even though this platform serves me and the company incredibly well, I've got some HUGE goals - and to hit them, I need to be active in person and online.

I got these business cards designed for when I next attend a networking event. Gonna get them printed on thick card with a light blue seam in the middle. It's all about those touchpoints!

Exciting to see how far we've come and where we might go next.

It was only 18 months ago - doing what I do was an idea. Now we have a team of 8.

Onwards and upwards, eh?

You know, someone caught me off guard recently.

They asked, "Mike, what do you do for fun outside of work?"

I'll be honest, it stumped me for a sec.

Then it hit me.

My life's not exactly a rollercoaster of fancy hobbies or globe-trotting adventures. It's a bit... simpler than that. But blimey, does it mean the world to me.

When I'm not faffing about with locks and keys, or running training sessions - I'm doing what I reckon is the most important job of all - being a dad.

Yeah, I work my socks off, but it's all for one reason - my family. They're my 'why', if you like. The reason I get up in the morning (even when the alarm feels like it's gone off five minutes after I've shut my eyes).

So, where will you find me when the tools are down?

Could be a quiet night in with a takeaway and some telly. Maybe a weekend outing where I'm pretending I'm not knackered from the week. Or just being there for those little moments - you know, the ones you can't plan for but wouldn't miss for anything.

They're not just my 'hobby' - they're my everything. My family, that is. Not hobbies. I'm rubbish at actual hobbies.

So, there you have it. My life outside of Specialised Locksmiths is all about those I love. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Reckon that makes me a bit boring? Maybe.

But I'm a happy kind of boring, if you know what I mean.

Made this 4-digit code puzzle. Can you crack it?