Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in medicine and pharmacy but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Isaac Wade, owner and pharmacist at Surrey Victoria Park Pharmacy, located in Scarborough, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Surrey Victoria Park Pharmacy is a medical drugstore located inside a health clinic. Our goal is to improve the health of our community by delivering personable, efficient, and high-quality pharmacy services. Some of our services include COVID vaccines, COVID testing, medication reviews, and filling prescriptions. Our customers come from all walks of life - old, young, rich, poor, religious, atheist, etc. However, what unites our customers is a desire to be in good health. We tailor our services to help our customers to achieve this desire in the easiest and most efficient way possible.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Isaac. I am 25 years old, I hold a doctorate of pharmacy from U of T, and I am a registered pharmacist. I chose to pursue pharmacy as I had an interest in pharmaceuticals and enjoyed the social environment of a drug store. I started my career working as a student at a large corporate pharmacy in Toronto. During this period, I had some great mentors and learned a lot. However, I desired greater autonomy to better serve my patients and knew this could only be achieved as a pharmacy owner (and, of course, the financial upside of being a business owner is nice as well). When I graduated from pharmacy school in the spring of 2021, I was given the opportunity to open an independent pharmacy with two experienced pharmacists. So far, our business has been running smoothly.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is just getting started. Fully committing to a new business is not easy!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Knowing there is no "head office" and every problem that can't be delegated must ultimately be solved by yourself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find good business partners, partners that are better than yourself - smarter, more experienced, better work ethic, etc. This venture would not be possible without help from more skilled and experienced colleagues.
- Build high-quality relationships. It's much easy to be successful when the people around you want you to succeed. Go out of your way to help your customers, suppliers, and surrounding businesses, and they will return the favor.
- Focus on what you can control, and don't worry about what you can't. COVID has been difficult for us as doctors' appointments have been moved online, leading to less foot traffic at our store. However, COVID has also given us the opportunity to offer COVID testing and vaccinations. These two revenue streams will help us keep our heads above water until the situation stabilizes.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
As a young adult, it can be difficult to gain the confidence to start a business. Especially in a field like a pharmacy, I find that older pharmacists are typically perceived as being more competent. Don't let this discourage you! Even the most senior business owner was young and inexperienced at one point- it's just a part of the process. Instead, focus on the benefits of being young - good health, lack of family responsibilities, and the time to make mistakes and improve. Leverage these assets to create the best business possible. You will not have them forever!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.surreyvpp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surreyvpp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaacwadepharmacy/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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