A pharmacist for 14 years, Jody opened Carstairs Family Pharmasave in 2008 and he says, “There’s been no looking back.” Jody started with a clear vision in mind: to become a destination and centre of excellence in wellness and to succeed by making a positive difference in his own life and that of his family, friends, staff, and community.

Manifesting his vision required Jody to develop a unique business model. It also required that he and his staff stretch beyond traditional pharmacy roles and provide special services not normally available in small communities such as Carstairs. Finally, it required that Jody live the lifestyle he wanted to promote and support his staff to do the same. 

Jody’s interest in an integrated health approach, led him to purchase a building with additional space for complementary health businesses to move into. It was important to him that the store be an eco-friendly environment and his store is one of the first in the Western Region designed based on the eco-design concept developed in the Pacific Region. The modular design of the fixtures in the Carstairs store can be moved aside to make room for educational seminars and webinars for customers and for other health professionals.

When determining which products to carry in the store, Jody decided to replace some of the traditionally stocked items with some unique health products to offer customers lifestyle choices. His vision is clear and define:

• Create a trend for community health by providing unique, consultative services
• Invest in new technology to expand services (e.g., specialty compounding) offered to clients (as well as to other pharmacies, dentists, and veterinarians)
• Utilize services such as educational seminars, clinics, fitness classes
• Invest in staff training and provide the time for them to participate hands-on in the programs
• Become a destination, not a convenience

Jody is passionate and optimistic about pharmacy. He says, “Surround yourself with good people; make your customers feel special each time they walk into your store; invest in the community through volunteering and leadership; live the lifestyle you’re promoting and create a trend for others to do the same.”

Jody, the family man and business owner, is a very busy fellow. He contributes both time and money to community events and projects and is a member of the Pharmasave Western Board of Directors.