Indianapolis Locksmiths Indianapolis, IN

Indy locksmith says key to service is people skills

“I do the work just like I would if I were the homeowner,” Cornett says.
Photo by Joshua Palmer 

by Joshua Palmer

You can draw parallels between bass fishing and working as a locksmith, Jan Cornett, owner of Janco Lock Service, says: "I've learned that they both take focus and patience." She excels at both: When she's not bagging 5-pound largemouth bass, she's reeling in customers and Super Service Awards.

Angie's List members like Susan Lewis, who recently hired the company to fix a lock at her Carmel [Ind.] home, say Cornett's excellent response times, reasonable pricing and friendly demeanor lead to their rave reviews. "She's always super prompt, she does an excellent job and she's extremely competent," Lewis says, noting that her first experience with the company, more than 15 years ago, made the same positive impression as her most recent one. Fellow Carmel member Hope Baugh echoes that sentiment. Having hired Janco a few years ago and inquiring recently about a problem that didn't require service, she says her memories of Janco remain fond. "I remember how pleasant and effective Jan's work and attitude were," Baugh says.

"I don't do anything special," Cornett says. "I just take care of my customers the way I want to be treated." Although she no longer focuses on emergency lockout services, she says that guideline applies to customers in unique situations, such as a memorable homeowner who fetched his newspaper in cowboy boots and his wife's pink robe - then accidentally locked himself out.

Cornett says running a one-woman business provides flexibility, but when she can't offer her services, she's dedicated to providing customers a timely solution by referring locksmiths she considers honest and competent. "I don't have employees," she says. "But I have other companies I trust to do the same quality work I do."

Despite demonstrating proven technical know-how as an Associated Locksmiths of America-certified residential locksmith, Cornett says communication and understanding are her most effective tools. "People skills - how you handle problems - are the key," she says.