Owning a security guard company can be both rewarding and challenging. After 20 years in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand how successful companies are built—not just from processes and contracts, but from the mindset and resilience of their owners. The truth is, running a successful security guard company is a journey of constant learning, growth, and adaptation. Let’s walk through some foundational principles that I’ve learned over the past 2 decades that will help you build and grow your security guard company while staying motivated along the way.
Perception is Reality in Running a Security Guard Company
The way you view your business shapes everything you do—from how you treat your employees to how you negotiate with clients. Perception is reality, and your perception as a security guard company owner will either limit or expand your potential.
Take a moment to think about how you see your company right now. Do you perceive it as a local player that only provides services at special events, or do you envision it as a dominant force in your market with the potential to service Class A commercial customers? The truth is, how you answer this question will directly affect your business outcomes.
When I first started, I perceived my company as just another small player in an overcrowded market. But when I shifted my perception and started thinking like the owner of a major security company, everything changed. My decisions became more strategic, my goals got bigger, and our team followed suit.
Success in the security industry starts with believing that your company is capable of great things. If you focus on the limitations—whether it’s lack of resources or stiff competition from the national companies—you’ll find yourself stuck. But if you focus on the possibilities, you’ll create opportunities where none existed before.
Lesson: Your mindset is a powerful tool. Think big, and your business will follow.
Embrace the Temporary Nature of Business Ups and Downs
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is that everything in business is temporary—both the good times and the bad times. This is especially true in the security industry, where clients send termination of service letters, regulations like minimum wage can shift, and all types of challenges are part of the manned guarding game.
As a security guard company owner, it’s easy to get discouraged when you lose a major contract or face other challenges like sexual harassment claims. But remember, these rough patches don’t last forever. It’s just a phase, and every setback is an opportunity to regroup, learn, and come back stronger. In fact, I find myself frequently reflecting on Kanter’s Law which is “Everything looks like a failure in the middle.”
When we lost our biggest property manager client, through no fault of our own, I thought it was going to be the end of our security guard company. In that situation, a property manager had been instructing our officers to let a particular resident’s male visitor into the building while the property manager was there, even though it was strictly forbidden in our post orders. It will come as no surprise to you that the officers began letting that visitor in when the property manage wasn’t there. That visitor ended up murdering the resident and the property manager blamed the incident on our company. I thought our company was going to be plastered all over the evening news as the worst security company in Chicago, and that would be the end of our business. But instead of throwing in the towel and walking away, I analyzed that horrific incident and used it as a way to improve our operating procedures. Moving forward, if a client ever wanted to do something that was not outlined in our post orders, the security officer would contact our office to help address the issue. That incident ended up leading to improved service offerings, better client retention, and ultimately, more business.
On the flip side, don’t get too comfortable when business is booming. The security guard industry can change quickly, as COVID taught us, so you need to stay sharp. Celebrate your wins, but keep evolving.
Lesson: Stay resilient. Tough times don’t last, but tough business owners do.
The Importance of Being Present in Business
In an industry as fast-paced as security, it’s easy to get caught up worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. But the real magic happens when you focus on the present—on the here and now. Being present allows you to make clear, confident decisions that benefit both your company and your clients.
If you’re always worrying about what’s coming next—whether it’s the next big contract or the next challenge—you miss out on the opportunities in front of you. Similarly, dwelling on past mistakes can prevent you from moving forward.
When I was managing multiple contracts, I realized the importance of focusing on the needs of the day rather than always worrying about the next week or month. Whether it was resolving client issues or motivating my team, staying present allowed me to be more effective and in tune with the realities of my business.
Lesson: Stay present. Focus on what you can control today, and the future will take care of itself.
Do What You Love, Love What You Do
Running a successful security guard company means spending a lot of time working on your business—more time than most people spend in their jobs. If you don’t love what you do, that time will feel like a grind. But if you’re passionate about your company and the service you provide, that time will be overwhelmingly rewarding.
To be honest, I didn’t always love the challenges that came with running a security business. The late-night calls, the client complaints, the staffing issues—they all wore on me. But over time, I learned to love the process of problem. I found purpose in solving problems and making sure that my clients felt secure and our team members were engaged. I started to love what I did.
This love for the business became contagious. My team felt it, and I believe my clients noticed it. Passion is a powerful driver of success.
Lesson: If you’re passionate about your business, your employees and clients will feel it, and your company will thrive.
Success Requires Constant Work on Yourself and Your Company
Being a successful security guard company owner isn’t just about improving your business—it’s about constantly improving yourself. The best business leaders are always learning, always growing, and always working to be better versions of themselves.
In my 20 years of running a security business, the times I saw the most growth in my company were the times I invested in my own personal development. Whether it was attending industry conferences, reading business books, or learning new management techniques, I was constantly trying to be better.
But personal growth alone isn’t enough. You also need to constantly work on your business. This means staying up to date on the latest security industry trends, improving your service offerings, and refining your internal processes. A business that isn’t evolving is stagnating.
For example, when I started offering additional services like risk assessments and security consulting, my company’s revenue increased, and I attracted higher-paying clients. Continuous innovation is the key to growth.
Lesson: Success is a journey, not a destination. You need to keep working on yourself and your business if you want to stay ahead.
Money Does Not Motivate People
Over the years around remember countless times where I tried to fix personnel issues by officering people more money. In those times I often wondered why increasing people’s salaries or commissions didn’t fix the problem. Over the years, I’ve learned the hard way that money does not motivate people, rather money motivated people are motivated by money.
A common misconception in business, especially in industries like security services, is that money is the ultimate motivator. But after two decades in the field, I can confidently say this: “Money does not motivate people, rather money-motivated people are motivated by money.” If your goal is to build a successful security guard company, you need to look beyond financial incentives when it comes to recruiting and managing your team.
I learned this the hard way early on. When I was struggling to get some of our team members to perform better. I thought higher wages and commissions would solve the problem. But in reality, it wasn’t about the money—it was understanding what motivated people and putting them in positions to be their best selves.
Lesson: To succeed, don’t focus solely on financial rewards—build a culture that fosters growth, engagement, and purpose.
Conclusion: Stay Committed, Stay Inspired
Owning a security guard company is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be ups and downs, but the key is to stay committed to your goals and remain inspired. Focus on your vision for your company, believe in its potential, and keep evolving both personally and professionally.
What lessons have you learned on your journey in security guard company ownership? Are the things that you know now that you wish that you knew then? If so, please feel free to share in the comments below.
About the Author
Courtney Sparkman
Founder of OfficerReports.com and OfficerApps software suite
With 15 years of experience in operations and business development, Courtney is a trusted voice in the security industry. He is a renowned author, speaker, and YouTube creator dedicated to helping security guard companies thrive. His career began as a co-founder at Cequr Security and later as Director of Business Development at Diamond Detective Services. Currently, he holds a private security contractor license, and a degree in Agricultural Economics, and is pursuing a master’s in Emergency Management from the University of Chicago.
