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We’ve Run a Trade Business.
We Know What It Takes.
We spent more than 20 years building and running our own locksmith and security business, with a busy shop, a team on the road and all the everyday pressures that come with keeping customers, staff and cash flow moving.
Afterwards, we ran a local marketing business and worked alongside more than 140 businesses, many in the trades, property and home improvement sectors. The Trade Advantage brings those two sides of our experience together: running the business and helping businesses win more of the right work.
Here’s what working with us looks like.
Working with us starts with a proper look at how your business wins and keeps work. We help you spot where customers, time or profit may be slipping away, decide what matters most and take practical action.
You can use the plan yourself, ask us to help with an agreed piece of work or use our tools and workshops.
You stay in control.
We stay in your corner.
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"Gaynor is so passionate and knowledgeable, she is like a breath of fresh air. I’m so glad I found her"
Kelly Ann Geary
"We can honestly say that without their involvement we would not have made the progress we have"
Liz & Rob McGhie
"We spent a very productive hour discussing my business and plans for the future."
Samantha Chetwood
Two business owners. One long journey. Still going.
We’re David and Gaynor, a married couple who’ve worked side by side in business for over 30 years. We’ve built bricks-and-mortar businesses, service business and supported hundreds of others growing theirs and its fair to say we've learned a thing or two along the way.
We believe a great business comes from hard work, turning up and doing what you say you’re going to do. No gimmicks. Just real results, built on a solid plan, giving great service and consistently showing up.
This is how we got here.
Scroll down to follow our journey so far...
1989
Lesson in graft
David opened his first business after leaving the royal navy. A security shop and locksmith service. Retail showroom, vans on the road, service teams and everything in between. Built it from scratch and learned what it really means to serve local customers and businesses and run a tight ship. Gaynor later joined him in that business to become the team they are now.
1995
Lesson in standards
Became the first retailer in town to achieve Investors in People. Not just a plaque on the wall, we genuinely believed in building a business where people mattered.
2009
Lesson in sticking with it
Celebrated 20 years in business. That’s two decades of rain, recessions and reasons to quit. We didn’t. We evolved and grew.
2010
Lesson in reinvention
Launched thebestof Bolton, a local marketing franchise. We wanted to give back while still running the security business too. We started helping other local businesses get seen and grow like we had. Working with hundreds of local businesses on everything from social media to content creation, networking, mentoring and more, we got stuck in and got results.
2014
Lesson in results
Named Franchise of the Year. Not because we followed the manual, but because we made marketing work in the real world. Hundreds of businesses supported – from strategy to sales, we became the go-to local marketing team for practical help that actually worked.
2017
Lesson in leadership
By now we’d coached, mentored and marketed for hundreds of businesses, many in the trades and property and home improvement sectors. We saw the gaps, the growth, and what people needed. We weren’t just ‘doing marketing’, we were helping businesses transform.
2018
Lesson in proof
Sold and exited thebestof Bolton, took a breather... and launched The Fizz Boat – a champagne cruise business on the river.. A fun experiment to prove what marketing and storytelling can do. It worked. Booked out for months and sold and exited this business within less than a week of putting it up for sale with a diary full of bookings.
2020
Lesson in clarity
Set up TWO.Marketing. No franchise rules. Just us doing what we know works – helping businesses grow through marketing that actually makes the phone ring. Just us two and our trusted team of partners.
2021
Lesson in pivoting (again)
Launched a personal estate agency. More proof that when you understand messaging and visibility, you can build – even in a crowded market.
2025
Lesson in community
The Property Services Network is born. A place for local trades and property professionals to connect, collaborate and grow. Our way of giving this sector the network it deserves.