Brownstone Property Services owner brings a world of experience to her new Sonoma business

Laura Brown has worked in various occupations on a number of continents. In Vancouver, the Canadian-born Brown owned and operated a number of businesses, including a company that cleaned server rooms in data centers and a bottle-recycling depot. In the Congo and in Venezuela doing volunteer missionary work, she learned a number of construction skills while building places of worship.
A year ago, Brown decided to put nearly a decade of productive wandering behind her and settle down in Sonoma. Laura invited her mother, who was living in British Columbia, to move here and to help set up a new business. Brownstone Property Services provides many sought-after services, including housecleaning, house and pet sitting, home organization, and property management. They have been hard at work since November and opened their Patten St. office early last month.
“I am a bit of a clean freak and I love to organize, de-clutter, and clean,” said Brown, who is a youthful and energetic 38-year-old. “It is a talent I have naturally and to be able to share this ability to benefit others is something I am happy to do. It is my gift to others who may not have the time or energy to do it themselves and if I can offer a service that makes someone’s life easier, that makes me happy.”
Gainfully employed since her high school graduation, Brown found herself too busy for higher education. On-the-job training and various courses here and there have served her quite well. The incredibly industrious Brown has been a lifeguard, a bank teller, a secretary, a property manager, a bookkeeper, and a framer in a framing shop. She can also build furniture, install cabinetry, finish concrete, and set tile.
“I sometimes think that you get a better education working and learning on the job than any college course can give you,” said Brown, who enjoys refinishing furniture in her spare time. “I compare my eight years overseas to the equivalent of a university degree and I had the added benefit of being made a better person along the way. I have never turned down opportunities to be better at my job.”
Brown is most proud of the seven years she spent in the Congo, during which she was able to impact the lives of many people, especially the two girls she taught to read and write. Faced with extreme poverty, the girls’ families scarcely had enough money to eat, let alone send their daughters to school. In too many impoverished countries in Africa, a girl’s education is a low priority. The girls have become like daughters to Brown and she sends their families money to cover the expenses of their schooling.
“After living amidst intense poverty for so many years, I find Sonoma is soothing to the soul,” said Brown. “I love to ride my bike down Second Street East and take in all the beautiful gardens, cute fences, and interesting doors and patios – it makes my day. I also love the personal feel of living in a town where it is possible to get to know your neighbors.”
Brownstone Property Services now cleans homes and offices for half a dozen satisfied clients. Brown is assisted by two part-time employees, but oversees all the work performed by her company. Decorating assistance, staging, and organizing are Brown’s specialties. She is thrilled to help homeowners tackle cluttered closets, unorganized cupboards, and over-stuffed garages. As the old saying goes: no job is too big, or too small.
“I hope that Brownstone Property Services will grow and I plan to grow with it by taking some courses to educate myself about how to better run a business,” said the always-optimistic Brown. “We will see where it goes. I am not a quitter, so I will move in whatever direction there is need for in the market.”
Brownstone Property Services, 21 Patten St., Suite A, Sonoma; 707.721.6594. Web site: brownstonepropertyservices.com.