Meet Georgianne Brown By Debbie Ball Located amidst a growing number of start-ups where only a few can truly call home, Georgianne Brown is comfortable at the helm of a successful Internet company in South Florida. Having recently launched a new Web venture, clikvacations.com, touted as the first Internet community completely devoted to vacation travel, Georgianne muses over her quest to be "calming" in a business that is breakneck in speed. She shares with us her secret CD that plays celestial waters sounds to start her day. "It's stressful what we do. We're moving at a pace that pushes us beyond our physical capability. I want to be calming - for my family, my employees, and for myself," Brown said. No stranger to the leisure industry, or to hard work and long hours, Georgianne began working at Fort Lauderdale-based Alamo Rent A Car as a reservations sales agent in the late 80s. She had succeeded in breaking the proverbial glass ceiling with numerous promotions to executive positions at Alamo when Michael Egan, former chairman of Alamo, approached her about working at Certified Vacations. Having worked for Egan's company for 17 years, she was thrilled at being offered a position at his new company. Not that it was going to be easy. Egan wanted her to take over New River Technologies, a subsidiary of Certified, to take the brand to the Internet. Georgianne, and her husband, Michael recognized the additional pressures that would impact their lives. Yet they both saw the silver lining in the clouds. "You just decide as a couple how you're going to balance all these things," she said. Georgianne accepted the role, and Michael began an at-home copy writing business. They also hired a nanny to help with the kids. The family is openly supportive of each other's dreams and independence, which may be why their two younger daughters, Alexandra, 9, and Jessica, 8, are able to dress themselves and make their own breakfast each morning, even at the risk of an unmatched outfit, or spilled milk. As early adopters of the Internet, the Browns have realized the benefits of using the Internet for business and personal use for years. "We believe in the Internet. We buy things, use it for work, and for personal use. We e-mail and send pictures. It's a big part of our lives." Her husband utilizes the Internet daily for his business, and he recently began an online course to learn more about HTML a Web page design language. Their oldest daughter, Rebecca, a sophomore at Florida State University relies heavily on the Internet to correspond with teachers, receive grades, download course work and to keep in touch with everyone at home. Even as she speaks, Georgianne pulls out her Internet-enabled Palm VII, checks her e-mail and a stock quote - all in a matter of seconds. "Connectivity is key," she proclaims. And not only in the world of technology. She asserts her need to connect with her family, keeping weekends sacred. "I need balance, and I believe people need down time in order to re-energize. My family is very important to me - not just my immediate family but also my mother and sisters - they're my best friends." A typical weekend at the Brown house is a BBQ with the family, friends and neighbors. "We get a lot of energy from relationships with our family, friends, and colleagues." Her philosophy on personal and professional relationships applies to her strategic approach to business as well. "It's all about relationships. We're missing so much if we don't nurture them." And that is exactly what Georgianne Brown has done. Last year, clikvacations.com was revamped on the basis of an approach that sounds much like a Sara Lee dessert. "Sticky stuff," a term used to describes what gives people reasons to interact on an ongoing basis at a Web site. Georgianne has been fortunate to have mentors throughout her personal and professional life. Two male figures seemed to have the most prominent effect on her life. "My father made something of his life, went to college, joined Air Force, became pilot…he was very career oriented, true blue…and liked to have fun, too." Upon retirement, he didn't just quit. He was very successful in real estate. When he was diagnosed with colon cancer, he didn't just give up. He was aggressive in his treatment - even until the bitter end." She also speaks fondly of Michael Egan as her greatest mentor professionally. "I've worked with Michael for 21 years. He believes in me, and I believe in him. He is the quintessential entrepreneur. He's had an incredible influence over my life." Having had the many successes in her life, both personally and professionally, they have not come without sacrifices. She wistfully recalls missing her daughter's senior prom because of work. But Georgianne has a good perspective, "Having family, career, relationships, is about having balance, and sometimes it's not balanced. Just don't wish time away. Have fun. You can have it all."