We had the good fortune of connecting with Tom Murdock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tom, what principle do you value most?
I feel that the most important and valuable principle should be honesty. Honesty can be a foundation for all of one’s actions. It is a guide to always doing what is morally right for your self and everyone around you. The relationship between a business and a client can often be convoluted with profits and losses but to maintain honesty as the core principle of business focuses on the best interest of both parties. A client will always appreciate an honest service technician and a business owner is always grateful for happy and appreciative clients. Our company, in the industry we serve, must maintain an honest and trustworthy relationship. We provide security and peace of mind to our clients often times when they are most frightened, worried or panicked.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My wife and I decided to start our business from the ground up. I have been a locksmith for 15 years working for other companies in Monterey, CA as well as here in North County San Diego. I got a job working as the Locksmith for the Oceanside Unified School District and shortly realized that I had a new opportunity. There was nothing stopping me from starting our own business on the side while working at the school district. So we invested a small amount of money for the start up paper work through legal zoom and started our own business to make a little extra money. We started out with a couple of hand tools and continually reinvested into ourselves. In 3 years have grown to having a commercial vehicle with a full service locksmith business with tons of returning clients and accounts. We had to slowly purchase new equipment that opened up opportunity to service new clients. What started out as a way to make an extra bit of cash has turned into our main focus and our family business. We are still continually growing and expanding and searching for new ways to thrive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend from out of town come to stay with me I would have already been talking up the great food in the area. I would likely start off at my favorite taqueria at Juanita’s in Encinitas. Or if we were in the mood for Pizza go to Manhattan Giant Pizza in San Marcos for a slice. At some point head to the beach on D St to jump in the water or just relax on the beach. I have young kids so we spend a lot of time going to parks too. We’d take the kids to Bub Williamson in Vista or maybe head down to the Oceanside Harbor for a stroll. There is so much to do and check out in North County. The possibilities are endless.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The success of our family business, North County Locksmith, can be attributed to many people along the way. Former employers and co workers to helped me learn the trade skill that I have built, the clients that gave our business an opportunity and returned with future business and the friends and family that supported us and promoted us along the way. In particular our dream business would have never become a reality had it not been for the support of my wife Robyn Murdock. My wife supported me from day one, even when it was scary or hard or uncertain, she always told me she believed in us. She has dedicated her time to creatively marketing our business in ways that would have never crossed my mind. She has put the time in effort into her marketing that I would never have the patience to. She has stuck to her commitment as our Administrative Director as well as been the rock for myself and our three beautiful children. Our business could not be thriving without her.

Website: www.northcountylocksmith.com

Instagram: @ncsdlocksmith

Facebook: facebook.com/ncsdlocksmith

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/north-county-locksmith-oceanside-2

Image Credits
Robyn Murdock

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.