Uriah Ortiz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Uriah, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the locks, safes, cameras, or access control systems people see when we finish a job — it’s the invisible foundation behind Guardian Safe & Lock LLC and the ecosystem we’ve built around it.
Behind the scenes, I’ve spent years building a culture, systems, and a team that can consistently deliver high-level security work across Tomball, Cypress, The Woodlands, and the greater Houston area. That foundation is now in place and ready for steady, sustainable growth as we expand and add locations over the coming years. When someone calls us, they’re trusting us with their home, their business, or their livelihood — and what most people never see is the training, processes, and accountability that make that trust possible.
I’ve also built something most security companies don’t have: a real media and education platform. Through three YouTube channels, we document what actually happens in this industry — the installs, the challenges, the wins, and the behind-the-scenes reality of running a modern security company. That transparency builds trust with customers, helps educate people about security, and creates opportunities for our team that go far beyond a typical locksmith shop.
People see the vans, the storefront, and the finished projects — but what they don’t see is the long-term infrastructure, leadership, and media presence that allow Guardian Safe & Lock to grow while staying honest, accountable, and customer-focused. That’s what I’m most proud of building.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Uriah D. R. Ortiz, founder & CEO of Guardian Safe & Lock LLC, a security and locksmith company serving Tomball, Cypress, The Woodlands, and the greater Houston area. What started as a small locksmith operation has grown into a full-scale security company specializing in everything from high-security locks and safes to access control systems, CCTV surveillance, and commercial security solutions.
What makes Guardian Safe & Lock different is that we don’t just install hardware — we design real-world security systems that actually protect people, businesses, and assets. My background has always been rooted in problem-solving and hands-on work, and that carries through everything we do. Whether it’s helping a homeowner regain access to their property or securing a multi-location business, we approach every project with the same mindset: do it right, do it honestly, and make it last.
Alongside the business, I also run three YouTube channels that document the behind-the-scenes reality of the security industry — the installs, the challenges, and what it takes to grow a modern security company. That transparency allows people to see how things really work, builds trust with our customers, and helps train and inspire the next generation of technicians and entrepreneurs.
At this stage, we’re focused on building long-term infrastructure — expanding our footprint, adding new locations, and continuing to raise the bar for what people expect from a local security company. My goal has always been simple: build something that protects people, creates opportunity for my team, and stands the test of time.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My father, Gilbert E. Ortiz Jr., had the biggest influence on how I think about work and business. He was a mechanical engineer, and growing up I spent a lot of time watching him at his drafting table, learning how ideas become real through focus and precision. But he didn’t just teach me how things were built — he also taught me how people and businesses work.
He used to literally pay me to watch educational videos about sales, discipline, and efficiency, which sparked something in me early on. I quickly realized I had a natural instinct for selling. When I was still in school, I’d buy candy and gum in bulk from the grocery store, fill up my backpack, and sell it to and from school on the bus. I did that for years and made surprisingly good money for a kid, and it gave me my first real taste of entrepreneurship.
As I got older, that turned into multiple small businesses as I explored different paths. One of them was UDRO Custom Guitars, which I ran from about age 17 into my early twenties. I designed and built custom electric guitars by sourcing pre-cut necks and bodies, finishing them, and selecting all the hardware and electronics to create one-of-a-kind instruments. It was another way for me to combine creativity, engineering, and business.
More than anything, my dad showed me what integrity and hard work really look like. Even after long days that started before dawn, he still came home ready to teach, build, and spend time with me. That mindset — discipline, ethics, and pride in your work — is still at the core of how I run Guardian Safe & Lock today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell him not to rush or feel like he has to prove everything right away — and to aim higher than he thinks is possible. It’s easy when you’re young and driven to undersell your own dreams or settle for what feels safe, but the instincts he has are real, and they’re meant for something bigger.
I’d also tell him to enjoy the ride, because it goes by faster than you realize. All the experimenting, the side projects, the businesses, and even the mistakes weren’t wasted — they were quietly building the skills and resilience that would later become the foundation for everything he’s doing now.
And I’d echo one of my dad’s core lessons — even when life isn’t fair, your character and discipline will always be what steady you.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to building Guardian Safe & Lock into one of the most respected and recognizable security brands in the industry, starting by taking Texas first. That means creating a company that can handle everything from access control and CCTV to locksmithing, safes, structured cabling, alarms, and home automation — all under one roof.
I believe the future of security belongs to companies that can truly integrate those systems instead of patching them together through multiple vendors. I’ve spent the last 15 years building the team, the infrastructure, the culture, and the expertise to make that vision real. This isn’t a short-term play — it’s something I plan to dedicate my life to.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was someone who genuinely cared — about the people I worked with, the customers I served, and the things I built. That I didn’t just chase success, but tried to do things the right way, even when it was harder.
I’d like them to say that I believed in big ideas and wasn’t afraid to commit my life to them — that I took risks, pushed myself, and never settled for what was easy or comfortable. That I built something that gave people security, stability, and opportunity.
Most of all, I hope the story is that I left things better than I found them — that Guardian Safe & Lock, and the people who were part of it, continued to grow and thrive because of the standards and values we built together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.guardiansafeandlock.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guardiansafeandlock/
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/guardiansafeandlock/
- Twitter: https://x.com/GuardianLock
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuardianSafeandLock/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/guardian-safe-and-lock-tomball-4?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GuardianSafeAndLock
