XENIA — Digital Watchmen recently celebrated 15 years of service to the Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus areas.

Digital Watchmen installs life safety systems to multi-tenant buildings such as hotels and assisted living facilities. It works for several different electrical contractors who employ them to work on their client’s properties.

A celebration was held Sept. 13 during which Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce President Donna Saraga and Mayor Sarah Mays joined founders Brian and Karen Klingle, and employees and their families for a ribbon tying and a meal.

“We are filled with pride and gratitude, what a journey,” Karen said. “Fifteen years ago, we started with just two men and a truck.”

Karen worked the booking and client communications end of the startup, while Brian began working jobs with their only employee, Bryan Yearick.

The Klingles worked for a local electric company until downsizing left them both without jobs.

“We didn’t want to be in an environment that a boss decides what we make and when we have jobs, so we decided to become our own bosses,” Karen said. “We actually had no desire to be business owners, it was more a need in order to make ends meet.”

Currently, Digital Watchmen includes 11 employees who are trained to install life safety systems. The business has been steadily growing since the Klingles began their business.

“When the pandemic hit in 2020, we didn’t just survive — we thrived,” Karen said in a speech to those in attendance. “While other businesses around us were closing their doors we kept going, pausing only for two weeks.”

Digital Watchmen’s biggest project to-date, The Arcade in Dayton, happened just before the pandemic shut things down. Once lockdowns were in place, getting the materials and permits they needed became an obstacle. Yet, they got the jobs done and even discovered innovative ways to solve problems in the future.

Two years ago, Digital Watchmen moved to the Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative building, where it aids in training the residents in electrical work. Digital Watchmen is a second-chance employer, meaning it hires and extends employment opportunities to people with substance abuse, criminal histories, and other backgrounds that make employers hesitate.

Karen said it took years for her to actually switch from the mindset of an employee to that of a business owner. Despite the certifications and training, she is just starting to feel the impact.

“We didn’t think we were doing anything special, just getting the job done,” she said. “But the more we talk to people and the longer we are around it starts to settle in.”

A sign in the office reading “Successful Together” sums up the mission of Digital Watchmen, which is to serve the community, customers, and employees. The business cares most about the whole, not the individual, creating space for people to thrive and to provide important services to those that need them.

“We are more than just a company, we are a family,” Karen said. “ ‘Successful Together’ isn’t just a tagline; it’s our belief, our way of life. It takes everyone to get the job done. And as we look to the future, I’m confident that the best is yet to come.”

In years to come, Digital Watchmen hopes to add services such as routine fire alarm inspections and monitoring. This shift would not only increase jobs, it also opens communication directly with the property owner.

Avonlea Brown is a Greene County News intern from Cedarville University. She can be reached through our newsroom at 937-372-4444.