At Pro Lock Plus, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality work, trustworthy service, and a local touch you can count on. We've built our reputation on being hands-on, dependable, and committed to doing things the right way. But lately, we know some of our customers have noticed a dip in consistency - and we want to be honest about what's going on behind the scenes. This isn't an excuse. It's a conversation we think more businesses need to have.
What's Been Going On
We've been working hard to build a team that can help us grow and serve our community even better. As a family-run business, we're used to doing a lot ourselves. But to keep up with demand, and create a sustainable future, we've had to shift into a leadership role - training others, stepping back in certain areas, and trusting our employees to step up.
Unfortunately, that transition hasn't been smooth. We've spent time, energy, and money on training. We've given opportunities for growth and responsibility. But what we've found is that many new employees struggle to retain what they're taught, and tend to rely on us being present at all times. That slows down progress, hurts accountability, and affects the experience our customers receive.
The Bigger Picture
This isn't just about one bad hire or one rough week. It's part of a bigger issue we're seeing in the workforce today - and we know we're not alone.
Public education systems are falling short when it comes to preparing people with workplace-ready skills - things like communication, time management, responsibility, and problem-solving. At the same time, there's a heavy push toward college degrees, even though trades offer fulfilling careers that don't require a four-year education - just real skill and dedication.
Parenting styles have shifted too. Many young adults entering the workforce haven't been taught structure or accountability in the home. There's a lack of grit and follow-through, and we're seeing that play out in how they approach work.
Then there's the role of government. Overregulation of labor and wages has created a generation of workers who believe they deserve high pay from day one - before they've proven their reliability, skill, or value. And while we support fair wages and opportunity, we also believe that a strong work ethic needs to be part of the equation.
Lastly, although assistance programs can be helpful when used correctly, they've unfortunately contributed to a mindset in some people that working is optional. That's a tough mindset to compete with when you're running a business built on hustle, service, and not just showing up - but showing up ready to work, take initiative, and take pride in a job well done.
What We're Doing About It
We haven't lowered our standards - not now, not ever. In fact, we're raising them. We're taking a closer look at how we train, how we hold our team accountable, and how we measure progress. We're focusing on quality, not just speed. We're also being more selective about who we hire, and more intentional about the culture we're building - one that rewards effort, honesty, and reliability. Our goal is to build a team that you can count on - not just when we're around, but always.
How You Can Help
If you've experienced a delay, miscommunication, or issue with your service, we want to hear about it. We value feedback, both good and bad, because it helps us grow. If you've had a great experience, share that too - it keeps our team motivated and lets others know what we're about.
You can reach me directly:
Julie Burlingame
Email: julie@prolockplus.com
Phone: 910-939-2760 x101
We're listening. And we're committed to getting better every single day.
In Closing
We're not going anywhere. This is our community, and this business is our livelihood. We're doing the hard work now to make sure we can keep showing up for you in the years to come - stronger, smarter, and better than ever. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your honesty. And thank you for supporting a business that still believes in hard work, high standards, and doing the right thing - even when it's not easy.
We appreciate you more than you know.
David & Julie Burlingame
Owners, Professional Locksmith Plus