Opening the Door to New Product Lines (Episode 84)

Opening the Door to New Product Lines (Episode 84)

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston July 2, 2026 Duration: 1:10:48

If you want to expand your locksmith business into the hollow metal door and frame market. In Episode 84, Tony Hokanson (Assured Security) takes the steering wheel to break down a listener question from Adam Smith regarding vertical trade integration, managing the extreme hidden risks of retrofitting, and scaling into adjacent security segments without diluting your focus.

Chad Lingafelt (Loc-Doc Security) and Lars Johnston (Calgary Lock & Safe) get incredibly transparent about their most expensive, painful historical learning experiences. They pull apart the operational reality of handling heavy structural steel block cutouts, the massive importance of selecting an internal product "champion," and how Chad managed to skyrocket his business from $2.5m to $8m+ by methodically prioritizing a standardized commercial hardware specification playbook over ad-hoc "whimsical" branching.


Tune into Unlocked Podcast for a grounded, cross-border conversation about what it really takes to build a company meant to last. You’ll hear from three practicing business owners, each running their own operations from distinct locations-North Carolina, Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. They don’t deal in abstract theory; instead, they draw directly from their own evolving playbooks, setbacks, and hard-won victories. The dialogue in this podcast revolves around practical strategies and philosophical shifts necessary for creating enterprises that can thrive beyond a single owner’s tenure. Episodes delve into the nuanced decisions around leadership transition, cultivating a resilient company culture, and implementing systems that ensure stability through market changes. It’s a candid exchange between peers who are in the trenches themselves, offering listeners a rare, ongoing case study from multiple industries and perspectives. If you’re steering a business and thinking about its legacy, this series provides a thoughtful, actionable companion for the long journey ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Unlocked Podcast
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Interested in the Unlocked Invitational? Fill out the form at https://unlockedpodcast.comEvery business leader inevitably hits a wall where the daily grind transitions from an exciting problem-solving puzzle into an exha…