Some businesses grow so large they forget about what brought them to where they are, but that is not the case at Brown Security in Brookhaven.

     Bob Brown said the business was founded with family in mind, and that’s how it will stay. The business was selected as the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the month for April.

     “We’re really a family-owned, family-run business,” he explained. “We have four members of our family working here now.”

     Those four members are Bob and Cathy Brown, Phillip Brown and Rebecca Brown-Gibson.

     Brown Electric and Security employs 14 people in total, with employees working for both businesses.

     The company provides security using the latest technology in residential, commercial and industrial settings. Their services include fire protection, closed-circuit TV, camera systems and medic alerts.

     Medic alerts are small two-way communication devices that allow people to call for help in the event they need it. They are popular with senior citizens who like extra protection.

     The Brown family has operated Brown Electric for 27 years, which gave birth to Brown Security 15 years ago.

     Bob Brown said he credits customer service for their success.

     “We pride ourselves on friendly customer service,” he said. “We do not use automation and even have after-hours service.”

     The security company started when the Brown family noticed people did not like having to go to Jackson for security help.

     “People having to go out of the area inspired use to start our own security business,” he said.

     The company has grown tremendously since then.

     “We’ve had around 300 percent grown in 15 years,” Brown said. “The security business is very competitive, but being a local family-owned business that has great customer service has separated us from the field.”

     The security side of the family business was easier to start after the electric business was up and going, according to Brown.

     “Brown Security was not as difficult to start as Brown Electric, as people in the area knew about us,” Brown said.

     Bob Brown said things in the security business are constantly changing, and they have to move quickly to keep up.

     “Everything in security will be going from phone to Internet-based in the future, just like people are moving away form land lines in their homes,” said Brown.

     This is actually not the first time Brown has won Small Business of the Month, as the electric side of business received the honor numerous years ago, according to Brown.

     While the Brown family is uncertain of how the future of the security industry will change years from now, they are certain about one thing: Being a family-centered business with great customer service is something that won’t change with them.