Pharmpreneur of the week Manjit Hansra: “Spend time working on yourself before you take flight.”
Snapshot
Education:
University of Toronto - B.Sc.Phm
Certified Diabetes Educator - CDECB (CDE)
Certified Breathwork Facilitator - YogaBody
Role/Title:
Principal Consultant
M. Hansra Family Healthcare Inc.
What excites you about being an entrepreneur?
Tapping into my creative energy. As a pharmacist, we often lead with our analytical, left side brain thinking. Being an entrepreneur allows me to think outside the box and create a vision of something that I see as having value in the world. Taking this thought or vision and creating physical manifestations of this has been a unique journey for me.
How has your entrepreneurial career evolved since your graduation?
When I graduated in 2003, I began working as a full-time community pharmacist. A year later I became an Associate and was in that role for 18 years. Currently, I do consulting work and organize wellness retreats for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
I got into pharmacy school not realizing the vast array of opportunities that existed for pharmacists. The profession of pharmacy was interesting to me because it allowed me to help and connect with patients while still being able to manage and build a business. I love having variety in my day and learning new things. Being an entrepreneur involves learning, problem solving and creating something that is of value to people.
How do you define success?
Earlier in my career I defined success by outward measuring sticks. The title I held, the respect I garnered, and my level of authority. Now I realize success is a personal, ever-evolving measuring point that is best determined by yourself. It changes all the time but I would say if you are getting better and growing you are on your road to achieving it.
As a successful entrepreneur, what continues to drive you?
What continues to drive me is providing value to others.
What are the biggest challenges to being an entrepreneur?
I would say the internal voice in my head that says I'm not good enough or I don't know enough. This has stifled my own growth at times and led to some confusion personally. Too personal? That's okay – I am continuing to learn how to be vulnerable and what better way to break through that than sharing!
How do you manage work/life balance? What books/resources do you recommend for every entrepreneur to check out?
Although I still consume a lot of books/podcasts to gain knowledge, I think personal reflection and connection are the most important teachers. We are all capable of greatness and we have to do some internal work to remind ourselves. In terms of books:
The Illusion of Money by Kyle Cease
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The School of Greatness by Lewis Hows
What advice would you give to colleagues who want to become entrepreneurs?
1.Spend time working on yourself before you take flight. Figure out why you want to become an entrepreneur. When the difficult days appear, remind yourself of these reasons so you can push through them.
2.If you are working in partnership, choose partners who share similar core values. If values are different there will always come a point where interests will deviate and the business will suffer.
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