Vision over Ambiguity: The Unlocked 2026 Mid-Year Check-In (Episode 78)

Vision over Ambiguity: The Unlocked 2026 Mid-Year Check-In (Episode 78)

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston May 14, 2026 Duration: 1:10:12

We are officially a quarter into 2026, and it’s time for the Unlocked trio to stop talking and start walking. In Episode 78, Lars Johnston (Calgary Lock & Safe), Tony Hawkenson (Assured Security), and Chad Lingafelt (Loc-Doc Security) revisit the ambitious goals they set in January to see what’s actually sticking.

The conversation gets real as Chad describes the "brain transplant" of rolling out a proprietary software across 50+ employees and the leadership diplomacy required when systems break. Tony reveals his "North Star" goal of scaling to 100 technicians and how that single metric has completely changed his decision-making process for Q2. Meanwhile, Lars explores the tension between building rigid routines and maintaining the innovative creativity that drives growth. From targeted email marketing to the "screen test" for deleting inefficient processes, this episode is a blueprint for mid-year course correction.


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
Podcast Episodes
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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 regard…
We had an issue...Sorry! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51
Technical Issues prevented an episode release this week. We have it resolved, until next time. We will be back next Thursday!
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As physical security companies scale, regional expansion is often the ultimate growth engine—and the ultimate culture killer. In Episode 79, the Unlocked trio—Lars Johnston (Calgary Lock & Safe), Tony Hokanson (Assured S…
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Duration: 1:26:53
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Duration: 1:15:43
In Episode 76, Tony (Assured Security), Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe), and Chad (Loc-Doc Security) step outside the security industry to examine what the world’s most successful brands can teach us about growth and operatio…