Searchlight Business takes a close up look at Gideon Browne, Manager of Browne’s Hardware.
Gideon Browne,
Manager – Browne’s Hardware
We feature leading businessman, developer and contractor in this monthâs Business magazine. The name Gideon Browne is synonymous in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with hardware supplies and housing development.
My whole belief is that people are born with natural ability. As long as you find that special thing what you should be doing in life, you have no problem.
Q: Are you living your professional dream?
A: Yes, I am living my professional dream. The things I planned for I was able to accomplish them.{{more}}
My whole idea was to become a contractor, builder and developer. When I was at primary school, on holidays, one of the things I used to do was to go out on construction sites and look for jobs.
Q: What do you do to relax?
A: I have a resort with about 12 acres of land, swimming pool, tennis and so on. When I am not overseas, I go there and unwind.
Q: Where would you be on a Saturday night?
A: I am not a lover of parties. When I was younger yes, but now I would go to a house party, but mixing around in parties is not my thing really. I would probably have a casual drink with friends, but most times I am home relaxing.
Q: What is your favourite meal?
A: My favourite thing is fish, any seafood. I am a lover of more natural sort of meals, like boil up and that sort of thing.
Q: What challenges you most in life?
A: To achieve exactly what I wanted to do, I never gave up from a challenge. as long as I plan something I expect to implement it. My biggest challenge, however, is to make my store a one stop one.
Q: What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?
A: I enjoy what I do… I chose this from a young age. I enjoyed construction and one of the things that make you successful is when you enjoy what you do. I like what I do.
Q: Where do you get inspiration to go on?
A: I believe people are born with a special gift. You go to college, but sometimes people go to college and when they come out they still canât get off the ground. My whole belief is that people are born with natural ability. As long as you find that special thing what you should be doing in life, you have no problem. The good God has placed us on this earth to do what we are supposed to do.
Q: Who has had the most positive influence on your life?
A: I used to work with a fellow called Arnie Hasselquist from Mustique. One thing I gathered about him is that he came to the Caribbean as a very poor man, but as long as you have the will power to work you can make it anywhere. As a young man, I started working with him at age 19. I learnt a lot from him. He always put that sort of drive in me.
Q: If you were given the power to change one thing in the country or the world, what would it be?
A: I would make St. Vincent and the Grenadines a Free Zone for businesspersons.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
A: I am still a very young man. If God spares my life, I would like to turn my resort into a developed hotel resort. Also, I would like to see my children complete their education and continue doing my development.