New & Noteworthy

YWCA SASKATOON NAMED FIRST COMMUNITY CAMERAS RECIPIENT


At Reed Security, one of our core values is Care. We talk a lot about protecting the communities we serve, but recently, we decided to put our tools where our mouth is.


We are incredibly proud to announce the successful installation of our inaugural Community Cameras project, and the very first recipient is the truly deserving YWCA Saskatoon.


They are currently putting the finishing touches on a brand-new, 90-space childcare center located at 140 Wall Street. This facility is a much-needed extension of the amazing work they already do at their 25th Street location, and we wanted to ensure their new space was as safe and secure as possible.


Trading Our Desks for Toolbelts

To make this massive project happen, we did something unprecedented: we completely shut down the Reed Security office for the day.








We formed cross-departmental installation teams to get the work done together.


The Experts: Our experienced technicians stepped up as project team leads, guiding the process from start to finish.


The Rookies: Members of our sales, admin, and support teams traded their everyday tasks for non-traditional roles, pulling wire, mounting cameras, and learning the ropes.











It was a phenomenal day of hands-on learning, cross-training, and team building. Getting out from behind our screens to physically build a safer environment was the ultimate expression of how much we care about our community.











Peace of Mind for Local Families

For the YWCA, safety isn't just a feature; it's a necessity.


Carla Huntington, the VP of Development & Engagement at the YWCA, shared that security is top of mind for their organization. The families dropping off their children at the new 140 Wall Street location need to know their kids are in a safe, monitored environment. Providing that ultimate peace of mind is exactly what the Community Cameras project is designed to do.


Carla also mentioned how easy and pleasant the grant process was, noting that without community support and great security, they wouldn't be able to do the vital work they do.















Does Your Non-Profit Need Smarter Security?

We couldn’t be happier with how our first Community Cameras installation turned out, and we are already looking forward to the next one.

If you are part of a local non-profit organization that could benefit from a state-of-the-art security system, we want to hear from you!


Learn more about the program and apply for the grant today at:


www.communitycameras.org







THE 5 BIGGEST LESSONS I LEARNED


Last night, I stood on stage and told my story.


It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t polished. It was raw.


I talked about the highs, the gut punches, the mistakes, and the lessons that came out of them. It was emotional for me to share. And the crowd connected with it.


These lessons aren’t from a textbook. They come from real experiences, tough decisions, and a few scars. Here are the five biggest lessons I’ve learned from building my business.





1. Be Far More Diligent


I chose the wrong partner early on, and it cost me. A lot. I felt blindsided, frustrated, and honestly, a bit foolish. I told myself I’d never end up in that position again.


That’s when I started getting far more diligent. I became the guy who asks question after question after question… and then verifies everything. If the answers don’t add up, I move on.


A few things that guide me:


  • Don’t believe everything you read or hear
  • Pay attention to what’s missing in the story
  • Use AI to help analyze the facts


This approach now guides who I hire, which dealers we work with, and who we partner with.






2. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate


I’ll never forget the day CRA froze my bank account. I was young, broke, and terrified. When your bank account is frozen, your business is frozen. I didn’t sleep that night.


The next morning, I picked up the phone, stayed calm, explained my situation, and asked for a plan. I didn’t make excuses. I told the truth. They listened. By the next day, we were back in business.


That moment taught me the power of clear communication when things are hard.


Here’s what works for me:


  • Pick up the phone or meet in person
  • Be nice
  • Be truthful – even if it hurts
  • Share your plan
  • Follow through


Silence breeds fear and assumptions. Communication builds trust.





3. Never Get Too High and Never Get Too Low


This one is personal.


For years, my mood was tied directly to the business. If things were good, I was on top of the world. If things went sideways, so did I. It’s a brutal way to live, and it affected my confidence, my family, and my ability to lead.


Eventually, I learned to build habits that keep me grounded no matter what’s happening:


  • Exercise clears my head
  • Time away resets my perspective
  • Being present with my family reminds me what matters
  • Friends, mentors and peers give me perspective and support


These habits keep me from flying too high when things are great, and from sinking too low when they suck.





4. Get Noticed


Early on, I had a great product, but nobody knew who we were. We were invisible. And that hurt. I was working so hard, but it felt like no one was paying attention.


That frustration taught me two big lessons:


1. Pay attention to marketing

2. Build your brand, not someone else’s


I started experimenting, showing up, and trying everything until something stuck.


Today, I spend about 40% of my time on branding, marketing, and relationships. Because if people don’t notice you, they’ll never buy from you.





5. Look After Your People


Over the years, I’ve learned that business isn’t about products or profits. It’s about people.


For me, that means:


  • Being kind and flexible
  • Having fun together
  • Recognizing effort
  • Paying people properly
  • Keeping everyone in the loop and part of the plan


When you look after your staff, they look after your clients.

When you look after your clients, they stay loyal.

And when you give back to your community, it all comes full circle.


Staff. Clients. Community.

Look after your people – and they’ll look after you.







Final Thought


No pain, no gain. And it was worth it.


These lessons were earned the hard way. If they resonate with you, I hope they help you avoid a few of my mistakes, or at least give you some encouragement when things get tough.

-Virgil




FIRST ANNUAL SOAK & SHARE WAS A SPLASHING SUCCESS!


On August 12th, 2025 the Reed Security team put down their tools and keyboards to head to the park for our first annual SOAK & SHARE team building event.


The afternoon was all about connection, laughter, and celebrating our awesome team. In addition to an epic water fight, the event was also an opportunity to recognize and reward employees for their contributions over the past year.


It wasn’t just Reed Security staff who got in on the fun - some local kids joined in when they saw all the action, adding even more energy and smiles to the day.


At Reed Security, we believe that when you take care of your staff, they’ll take care of your clients. Soak & Share was a perfect reminder that investing in our people is investing in the customer experience.


Special thanks to Lesli and Sarah for organizing and hosting the event. Your planning made it easy for everyone else to relax and fully enjoy the day.


Events like this remind us that success isn’t just about numbers - it’s about people, teamwork, and shared moments. And at Reed Security, we’ve got the best.

Scroll down to see the photos from the day in full splash.





















































EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: ARIEL HAMBLIN CELEBRATES 9 YEARS AT REED SECURITY


This month, we’re celebrating Ariel Hamblin, who has been a key part of Reed Security for the past nine years! 

Ariel is our Accounting & Administration Manager, and she’s played a huge role in helping us grow and succeed. 

We sat down with Ariel to hear about her journey, what she loves about her work, and her thoughts on Reed’s success.

Why do you love working at Reed Security?

“It’s the family environment. Everyone is supportive, and I genuinely enjoy the work I do - it’s rewarding and keeps me engaged every day.”

What’s your role, and what do you do day-to-day?

“I’m the Accounting and Administration Manager. I oversee the Department, handling onboarding, contracts, and sales for our dealer network. My goal is to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.”

What makes Reed Security different?

“We care about each client as an individual, not just a number. We focus on understanding their needs and providing security solutions that truly fit them and their needs.”

How has Reed Security grown over the years?

“We’ve added a lot of staff, and we’ve really grown into a family. Plus, the company has expanded nationwide, which is amazing to see.”

What’s a memorable moment from your time here?

“Definitely the staff events - barbecues, YXE smash therapy, axe throwing - I love when we do fun things together that build our team spirit.”

What do you love doing outside of work?

“I’m a mom, and we love to travel, garden, and just enjoy life together.”

What’s your best advice for someone starting a career at Reed?

“Learn how to find and access resources independently. Be the person who takes ownership and gets things done.”


👏 Huge thanks to Ariel for sharing her story and for everything she does to keep Reed Security moving forward. Stay tuned for more team spotlights as we celebrate the people behind the scenes who make Reed Security what it is today! 💪


#reedsecuritypeople
#reedcares

MEET SARAH HARDY: THE QUEEN OF GETTING STUFF DONE


Every great team has that one person who just makes everything smoother, happier, and a little more fun. At Reed Security, that person is Sarah Hardy, our Awesome Administrator - yes, that’s her actual job title (and yes, she lives up to it daily).

Sarah’s been rocking the front lines at Reed for 4 years now, and honestly, we don’t know what we’d do without her. She’s the friendly voice you hear when you call. She’s the calm in the inbox storm. She sets up your Alarm.com accounts. She helps you troubleshoot your tech when our Support Desk is jammed. She even collects your bills - but in the nicest way possible.

Basically, Sarah gets stuff done...and she does it with a smile.

But she’s not just helping clients. She’s also helping us celebrate. She’s on the Reed Security 25th Birthday Party Planning Committee (and it’s gonna be epic on May 25th). And she’s the one who sneaks out to pick up cakes or cookies for staff birthdays. Pro tip: don’t stand between Sarah and the bakery box.

When we asked her what she likes about working at Reed Security, she said:

“It feels like family here. I love helping people, and we have so much fun together.”

And she means it. Some of her favorite Reed moments include:

🎳 A full-team Bowlarama battle (yes, there were strikes… and questionable dance moves)

💪 A staff workout with a personal trainer (there were also groans and sore muscles for days)

Outside of work, Sarah’s a total family-first kind of person. She loves baking, spending time with her crew, and getting zen with Cosmic Kids Yoga (Google it - you’ll thank her later).

Sarah lives our values - TrustLoyaltyCare, and Effort every single day, and she makes Reed Security better just by being herself.

Thank you Sarah for being Awesome!


#reedsecurity #awesomepeople

#trust #loyalty #care #effort




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LOCATIONS

SASKATOON SECURITY
Reed Security Group (HEADQUARTERS)
14-1724 Quebec Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9
Ph: 306.653.3200
1.844.384.SAFE (7233)

Sure Innovations
1701 Saskatchewan Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7K 1P7
Ph: 306.974.0888

 

REGINA SECURITY
ViboPulse Services
Ph: 306.206.0700

WINNIPEG SECURITY
Guardian Advanced Solutions
Ph: 204.250.7510 or 204.878.0061

PRINCE ALBERT SECURITY
Thor Security Ltd.
355 16th St West
Prince Albert, SK S6V 3V6
Ph: 306.922.7200

 

KAWARTHA LAKES REGION SECURITY
Dot Communications
54 Lindsay St S
Lindsay, ON K9V 2L8
Ph: 1.833.368.2666

GREATER TORONTO AREA SECURITY
Pride Security
102-100 Matheson Blvd East
Mississauga, ON L4Z 3P8
Ph: 647.506.0002

 

CALGARY SECURITY
Oxford Security Systems
#501, 2903 Kingsview Blvd SE
Airdrie, AB T4A 0C4
Ph: 587.393.2800

EDMONTON SECURITY
Digitech Security Systems
Ph: 780.444.4449