Military vet sets roots in Westmont with new security company

WESTMONT – After spending a year in Afghanistan, a new Westmont resident is establishing roots and opening up shop in the downtown area.

Ryan Kern, who just got off active duty from the Army about six months ago, plans to open Krimson Security – specializing in private fingerprinting and background checks – by February at 15 S. Cass Ave.

The business, which will occupy a 300-square-foot office, will utilize an inkless electronic system to capture fingerprints and demographics data, specifically for companies who wish to screen potential employees. This type of business is a first for Westmont, according to Kern.

“[Krimson Security] does have a service that’s not there [in Westmont],” Kern said. “It’s a service you seek out so people are going to come to town.”

After working as a private investigator and in the military police, Kern said his new business doesn’t fall far from his previous work experiences.

“I was in the military police so it’s not that far of a jump,” the 37-year-old said. “I was always making other people money so now I’m trying to open my own shop and make my own money.”

Krimson Security will service a wide variety of customers – from village or state employees to new tenants and landlords, according to Kern.

“I’m going to have different packages to cater to what [customers] need,” he said.

Being new to Westmont, advertising the business will play a major role in his success, he said. Although Kern said fingerprinting advertises itself.

“I’ll be doing a lot of networking – that’s going to be huge,” Kern said. “It’s just putting your name out there and make connections [to] build your business reputation.”

When it comes to the opening of his security business, Kern said it should be smooth sailing from here on out as the roadbumps and challenges are behind him.

As a military veteran, Kern said there’s a possibility of being deployed but he plans on setting up the business so it could function without him.

In this line of work, he said it’s the investigating and finding out of information that really keeps him going.

“I believe in security,” Kern said. “And knowing what you’re getting into.

“I like doing this and I like this field. I’ve always been a workaholic so I may as well benefit off my habits.”

While he’s excited to open shop, being able to place some roots in town is just as important to Kern. He said it’s a nice change of pace for him.

“I’ve moved around a lot so I’m pretty happy to put down roots,” he said. “I don’t plan on going anywhere for a long time. I want to stay put.”