In August 2007 architect, husband and father Gerard Brown Sr. lost his battle to cancer. As the global economic recession loomed times became difficult. With three children (Gerard Jr. McGarrett, and Eythan) to raise and medical bills pouring in, Janet (mother and wife) found herself in a tight spot. It was the wishes of Gerard Sr. to keep the dream home that he lovingly designed and built that kept Janet and her sons pushing amid their struggles.
The Brown's knew something had to be done to keep their father’s dream alive. Months after his death, a family meeting was held to discuss a solution. It was from that very meeting that “Brownstone” was born. The word “Brownstone” is derived from a collaboration of the family name and their father’s tombstone. The decision gave Gerard Sr. a permanent place in the family business.
Soon after the name was established came the idea that would change their lives forever. They decided to divide the Brown family home into guesthouses. The pool house became the “Sunset Loft,” the children’s room became the “Sunrise Suite” and the master bedroom became the “Sunlite Studio.” Years later those guesthouses still exist, proving that God guided Gerard Sr. as he designed their Marlin Drive home, as little renovation was needed to transform it into a second chance for his family.
From what started off as one guesthouse at the Marlin Drive Homestead, through patience, perseverance and faith led to a rapid expansion of properties and guesthouses. As of 2020, the Brownstone Guesthouses now offer four different locations with a current total of 25 guesthouse rental units for its guests. The company also added transportation rental branch which currently has a fleet of 20 vehicles to offer their guests. The Guesthouses accommodation product offering also led to multiple expansions such as businesses in the financial, telecommunications and wholesale sectors. The company believes strongly in adapting and evolving to the market and to the needs of our customers and guests.
In memory of the late Gerard Brown Sr. the architect, the father and the husband, we are truly “Taking the next step by remembering the last stone.” - The Brown Family
OUR STORY
In the years that have passed since the Brown’s first welcomed its first guest in 2008 there have been many developments. Each day brought new opportunities, unforgettable memories and lasting friendships with our guests. Brownstone has allowed for the growth and evolution of not just the business but as a family. Working hand in hand, day by day for the last twelve years has created a family bond that cannot be broken. As we go through the below family story, we will be highlighting each member of the Brown family and providing an update since we left off in 2010.
JANET BROWN
When we last left off in the year 2010, the President/CEO, owner and mother Janet Brown continued to excel professionally in the Telecommunications sector in The Bahamas. Janet admitted that her life has truly been transformed since the birth of The Brownstone Group of Companies. In the years that followed, Janet earned multiple awards for her exceptional line of work at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company as she would have went on to serve as one of the highest-ranking female executives in the country up to her retirement in 2017.
Amidst her professional successes, Janet continues to enjoy a close relationship with her sons and daughter-in-law. But she insists her happiest moment has been becoming a grandmother in 2016. In mid 2020, Janet fully passed on the baton to her sons to take over and continue the success of the Brownstone Group Ltd. She is still an intricate element in the company as she provides key advisement and fills the executor role. Janet now spends her retirement doing the things she loves with the people she loves which includes, new business developments for the company, interior design, landscaping, project management for renovations as well as full time Nana to her granddaughter, Reagan Nicole Alexandria Brown. Janet believes in the transfer of power and knowledge and is now training her granddaughter to become the next CEO with the skills and tools she herself used to create her success.
GERARD BROWN
At the inception of Brownstone the eldest of the boys, Gerard Jr. was enrolled in his freshman year at Auburn University. Today he is not only a double-major college graduate but also a husband and father. After returning home with a Business and Marketing degree, Gerard Jr. jumped into the family business after a four year run in corporate Bahamas at the local Cable TV station as a marketing and production associate. It was there in 2012 that he met his future wife, veteran print and broadcast journalist Jasmin Bonimy. Less than two years later they would wed. While balancing their work life and Brownstone Group commitments, the couple welcomed a new baby girl named Reagan to their family in January 2016. That same year Gerard made the decision to resign from the Cable TV station and take on a full time role at the family business.
We last left off with Gerard as the General Manager of the company and in 2018 Gerard then moved on to become the Chief Operating Officer. With a toddler now in pre-kindergarten roaming his household, Gerard enjoys spending quality time with his wife and his ‘Princess’ He sees his family as the fuel he needs to assist in making the company not just successful but a long lasting company to pass on for generations. It is Gerard’s hope and dream that in the future his children’s children can reap the rewards for the hard work and dedication him and his family are putting in now.
MCGARRETT BROWN
Since graduating high school the second oldest son, McGarrett has worked as a graphic artist, gaining multiples certifications along the way. We last left off with McGarrett as a student attending the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale pursuing his degree in graphic design. Within the years that passed, McGarrett would have successfully completed college with both an Associates and Bachelor’s degree in design, winning multiple Dean and Principal Awards and other high honors and distinctions. His aspiration to be one of the most sought after graphic designers in the country has bared fruit as his client base ranges from local to international customers. He prides himself on being unique not just in his career but in his personal life. He also believes in continuously expanding his portfolio as he has currently perfected web design and production. McGarrett’s strong passion for automobiles is how he spends his free time. From vehicle body enhancements to minor restorations his creativity comes in to play when he talks about his “Midnight”- (his BMW)
EYTHAN BROWN
We last left off with Eythan, the youngest of the boys pursuing his dream of becoming a medical doctor. After graduating high school with top honors, Eythan enrolled in college at one of the region’s top medical schools. After a year in university he was accepted into the University of the West Indies medical school program. In the passing years
Eythan has become a student Doctor at the Princess Margaret Hospital after receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from the University of West Indies Mona campus in Kingston, Jamaica.
Eythan continues to push himself on his journey to becoming a reputable and successful Doctor in The Bahamas. Taking up extra courses and field work volunteering to broaden and strengthen his knowledge are some of the efforts he is taking to ensure his success. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Eythan found himself in a key role that benefited his country. He admits that dealing with the pandemic as a student doctor has cemented his passion for helping others. In his free time, Eythan has found a passion for the Foreign Exchange Stock Market. He has always been fond of things that challenge him and keeps him intellectually sharp. He always seeks new ventures and sees an opportunity for the business in the Foreign Exchange Stock Market in the near future.
