Dear NCLA Family,

I want to take a moment and thank everyone who came out to Sanford, NC. Lots of good education and fellowship. We will be meeting in Rocky Mount, NC in just a few short weeks. Please make your reservation as soon as possible. There will be some great classes at this event.

It is getting close to election time, so before long we will be electing new leadership to carry the association into the future. My hope and prayer is for the NCLA to grow and thrive again. Times have changed a lot over the course of the last 20-30 years and culture has shifted a bit. We will need to adjust as we move forward, but not change who we are as an association.

The locksmith has been a trade that has experienced some difficulties over the last 20-30 years with the rise of the World Wide Web and scammers. But our association and the locksmith’s of it aren’t built that way. I tell people to do what they have to do to grow and move forward, but without moral compromise. The one thing the locksmith should always care about, aside from skills, is moral integrity. That means loving God and loving your fellow man. How do we do that, through our service! We strive to help service those in need without jeopardizing our moral integrity. When people think of locksmiths, they should be able have trust, respect, confidence in who we are and our ability. Take joy in who you are and what you do! You are here not to serve yourself, but to serve those around you. If you are here and only think about the bottom line, well people will find you out real quick and hearsay will be right behind you. Build relationships with other locksmiths that you know to be of good reputation and character. Help each other out by sharing the load. Also, build a good relationship with your customers! They will help you sell your business better than anyone. Word of mouth is still king of the wood!

I hope and pray you are doing well. May the Lord bless you and keep you until I see you in a few short weeks.

Waldo