Pop-A-Lock of Honolulu rescues one child from a locked automobile approximately every six-to- eight weeks. Since the program’s launch, over 250,000 children have been saved from locked cars by Pop-A-Lock representatives nationwide. We caught up with inspiring businesswoman and Pop-A-Lock of Honolulu owner Catherine Walker, winner of Pacific Edge Magazine’s 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility Award, to discuss the company’s great work.
1. In what ways has the PEM Gala Award impacted your business?
Winning the PEM Gala Award provided validation of Pop-a-Lock’s reputation for demonstrating corporate responsibility and being an award winning business. This award also set the stage up for us to win the 2013 BBB Torch Award and ranking in the top 20 in PBN’s fastest 50. Most recently, I was selected as a finalist for the 2014 PBN Business Women of the Year.
2. What are some new initiatives your business has undertaken since receiving the award?
Led the national rebranding of the “PALSavesKids” Program which is a free community service provided by Pop-a-Lock in the event a child gets accidently locked in the car. The program was formerly called EDU (Emergency Door Unlocking).
3. What drives you to “do what you do”?
Everyday I encounter emergency situations and it is my responsibility to ensure that the customer’s ETA (Estimated Time Arrival) is met. I aim to meet or beat this designated time for every situation seven days a week. My drive comes from my parents that always told me I got to try and “reach for the stars and achieve the unreachable”.
4. What does corporate social responsibility mean to you? Why is it important to you?
Corporate Social responsibility means looking at the impact a business has from a holistic community-based perspective. It is important to me because I can make a difference in the community everyday by ensuring my customers safety and security and building awareness to the community with our PALSavesKids program.
5. Last year your business was recognized as one of the fastest growing businesses and won several awards.
What do you think contributed to your success? Being Honest, Ethical, Punctual, and always placing customer’s needs and safety first. Client service is a keystone to our business plan. Because of this Pop-a-Lock of Honolulu was recognized nationally by winning the prestigious Ace Towman award 2 years in a row.
6. As a businesswoman, what are some of the challenges your face and strive to overcome?
In a male dominated business, such as locksmithing, it’s important that I make our female customers feel totally comfortable and safe which results in trust. This was demonstrated by Pop-a-Lock winning the 2013 BBB Torch Award. I continually strive to maintain Pop-a-Lock as the community’s “most trusted locksmith”.
