Buck on Business

Hello Christine, I would like to give you a quick introduction to my business. I am co-owner of a local smart home installer/ designer called Automated Intelligence, which took roots in 2005 and finally became a true business in April of this year. A smart home system is basically a computer that controls verious things in your home, such as lights, entertainment, and your security system. We are innovative and different from "traditional" smart home systems in several ways, such as being highly affordable, almost entirely wireless, and developing new technology from existing technology.
Innovation is one of our main focal points. We are developing what we call Visitor ID, which works similar to Caller ID, but at your front door. We install a small surveillance camera, connect it to the smart home controller, and run software that can recognize faces that are enrolled in a database. It opens the door to a great number of possiblities, but the two immediate possibilities are "arrival logging" and "announcing". Announcing explains itself - when your best friend arrives, it says [their name] is at the door. the arrival logging is used for other smart home features, the most basic is determining when your teenager came home last night or who they were with. The most exciting example is for children that come home from school, alone. If a child doesn't arrive at the door by, say 4:00 PM, your system can call, email, or send you a text message. You can then log in to your home's camera over the internet, call a neighbor, or call your child's cell phone, if they have one.
This is only one facet of our business. Most people have the misconception that smart homes are fancy ways of turning lights off and on. My current project is finding a way to educate Saint Louisans about the practical aspects of a smart home, which is all about making daily life much easier. If you have any questions or would like to talk, you can contact us through the form on our website or call my personal cell, 636-448-8691.

Christine: I wrote out our mother and daughter story on our business. Hope you find it interesting enough for broadcast. Regardless, come by and see the unique items we carry. Thanks.

Lois Klayman

First they sold their beaded products at crafts fairs at Tilles Park and other local venues. Then when the U. City Loop began its explosive growth in the early ‘90s, Lois Klayman and her daughters Laurie and Jennifer decided the Tivoli Building in the University City Loop would be a good place to open a beaded jewelry store. With a $10,000 investment, they opened Nieja Bend, where they helped customers construct necklaces, earrings, etc. from a wide variety of colorful beads.

After a few years, the women switched over to sterling silver jewelry, making trips to Taxco, Mexico, to assure the quality of items hand-selected for sale.

Over the last three years or so, the Loop has been in decline as second hand clothing stores replace the funky boutiques. Finally, after 14 years Nieja relocated to 9825 Clayton Road in the Market Place in Ladue last spring, where they are slowly building a new clientele to complement their loyal customers from the Loop.

In their new location, they have again changed their product lines. Today, the store features products from around the world with items termed, “from whimsical to elegant.” Now the girls carry jewelry and sculpture from Israel, purses from Paris and Italy, and watches from Australia. Laurie’s exclusive jewelry designs move especially well. The whimsical is also clearly in view, as smiling mistle toads, mischievous cat umbrellas and a variety of fun gift items brighten displays. No longer is the store a small bead shop. Instead, customers are saying a trip to Nieja Bend is like a visit to a New York City boutique. That’s a long journey from crafts fairs, but a trip that has been well worth making.

Lois Klayman
314 432-4065