Pharmpreneur of the week Sean Simpson: ‘Entrepreneurship is as much about evolving as it is about creating.’

SnapshotEducation:University of Toronto, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, 2006. University of Toronto, BSc. Honours, Chemistry and BiochemistryRole/Title:Pharmacy Liaison with SRx Simpson’s Pharmasave President, Pharmacists Association of the Niagara PeninsulaWhat excites you about being an entrepreneur?I get excited about the prospect of developing and creating new product and service solutions that add value.How has your entrepreneurial career evolved since your graduation?Entrepreneurship is as much about evolving as it is about creating. In the 17 years since my graduation, we have tried many things, from incorporating new services and trying to optimize workflow, to opening new stores and going through both sides of the merger and acquisition process.What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?Witnessing the success and satisfaction of entrepreneurs in my family. My father opened Simpson’s Pharmacy in 1977 and I was able to watch him build the business throughout my childhood. My grandparents on my mother’s side had a successful family restaurant. I was fortunate to be surrounded by entrepreneurs my entire life.How do you define success?Success comes in many different forms, but to me success comes in the form of improvement. Stacking multiple marginal or incremental improvements can be extremely satisfying and over time can result in notable impacts.As a successful entrepreneur, what continues to drive you?I genuinely believe that there is so much opportunity available to make things better, whether it be inside the pharmacy or outside. It has become how I view the world, and when you identify opportunities for greater improvement, those tend to be the ideas worth pursuing.What are the biggest challenges to being an entrepreneur?The biggest challenges to being an entrepreneur can come at you at many different times. It can be challenging to take a new idea, product, or service and give it enough time and nurturing to realize success. While, at other times, the challenge comes in the realization that the idea just may not work and you need to go back to the proverbial drawing board. If you are fortunate enough to realize success, the challenge takes the form of sustaining and replicating the success. In nearly all cases, the key to overcoming the challenges of entrepreneurship is surrounding yourself with outstanding people.How do you manage work/life balance?Managing work/life balance was a huge factor in the decision to sell our pharmacies a year ago, along with the realization that I needed to recharge my entrepreneurial batteries. Similar to overcoming other entrepreneurship challenges, having a strong team and delegating effectively can be very liberating.What books/resources do you recommend for every entrepreneur to check out?I would highly recommend Traction and Get a Grip by Gino Wickman. They are both part of the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) set of tools. Good to Great by Jim Collins is another favourite. For those who like podcasts, check out Founders.What advice would you give to colleagues who want to become entrepreneurs?Build a network of other entrepreneurs that you can lean on for advice or support. Reach out and connect with the entrepreneur leaders in pharmacy that Sherif is highlighting in this series. I can only speak for myself, but I’d be happy to chat with the next wave of entrepreneurs of pharmacy in Canada.

Pharmpreneur of the week Sean Simpson: ‘Entrepreneurship is as much about evolving as it is about creating.’

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics