In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, interviews Aryo Mehrabi, Pharmacist and Owner, Teeswater Pharmacy. Aryo’s story, from growing up in Iran to retraining as a Pharmacist in Canada, highlights resilience, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of the American dream, or rather, the Canadian one.
Aryo shares their experience growing up in Iran, where career choices were influenced by challenging university entrance exams. They chose Pharmacy due to its respected status in Iranian society. Upon arriving in Canada, Aryo faced challenges re-establishing their Pharmacy career, highlighting the rigorous preparation and exams required to become a Pharmacist in Canada.
Aryo discusses their determination to become a Pharmacist in a new country while balancing family responsibilities and adapting to a different culture. They emphasize the scarcity of mentorship and support for immigrant Pharmacists, reflecting on their challenges, including finding clinical experience and the need for more accessible mentorship. Personal aspects that influence success in the Pharmacy profession are explored. Aryo acknowledges the impact of interpersonal skills and teamwork, reflecting on their journey and how personal dynamics can affect the profession.
Aryo shares their unconventional path to success by opening a Pharmacy in a small town, overcoming skepticism, and thriving through community engagement and determination. They highlight factors such as convenience, community pride, and financial advantages contributing to their Pharmacy’s success in a rural area.
Aryo’s story also includes experiences with opening multiple Pharmacies, lessons learned, and the impact of unexpected events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Their commitment to giving back and helping aspiring Pharmacists succeed is a central theme, inspiring immigrants looking to succeed in their new homeland.
In summary, Aryo Mehrabi’s journey from Iran to becoming a successful Pharmacist in Canada is a testament to determination, community engagement, and the importance of mentorship and support for immigrant Pharmacists. Aryo’s advice for aspiring Pharmacy owners emphasizes the need to be realistic, embrace the local lifestyle, and differentiate themselves to succeed in small-town Pharmacy practice.
Topics Covered
- Aryo’s immigrant Pharmacy journey
- Challenges of re-establishing career
- Mentorship for immigrant Pharmacists
- Personal dynamics in Pharmacy
- Unconventional path to Success
- Lessons from multiple Pharmacies
- Coping with unexpected Events
- Giving back to the community
- Advice for aspiring Pharmacy owners
Key Quotes (Time Stamps)
- “But then I liked it because it matched my personality. I wanted to talk 1 to 1 to people and things like that. At the same time, I was not very stressed under very-very big responsibilities like a physician. So, I liked it. So, this is how I became a Pharmacist. “(4:02- 4:22)
- “I was hesitant to come or not. But I had two daughters, so I really wanted them to have a better chance to grow. In Canada, women have better opportunities than my country.” (5:21 – 5:36)
- “There is not much real support. There were things that you could read online. But there was no one-to-one mentorship.” (8:18 – 8:29)
- “Going through that is like you learn to drive by reading a book. It is impossible. You have to go and sit down in a car. So, Pharmacy is the same. Especially what they want here in Canada. The way you do it in Iran—on the books, you are good. But, here, they want you to be involved in the clinical aspects, so you need to be there.” (9:43 – 10:02)
- “So, the main reason I’m here is because I opened a Pharmacy, but the reason I opened a Pharmacy was because nobody was hiring me.” (18:17 – 18:23)
- “Everyone told me don’t do it. Even the real estate agent who took me there said, hey, you are young; don’t do that; it’s not going to work here. He was a Walmart manager before he was a real estate agent. He said no business was going to work here because it was a small town. But it worked very well for me. This is how I ended up doing it—first, I was not hired; second, I did not have any other choice.” (21:28 – 21:52)
- “Physician also likes the idea of having a Pharmacy close by because it is easier to fix problems and communicate. Everyone likes you when you do it in a small town, normally.” (24:57 – 25:10)
- “When you’re in a rural area, the amount of money you get for prescriptions is more than the Pharmacies that are in the bigger towns.” (25:19 – 25:28)
- “Word of mouth is the strongest advertisement I did because you rely on what your brother, your sister, your cousin tells you than an advertisement.” (26:14 – 26:26)
- “I really loved the idea that a town that didn’t have a Pharmacy was going to have a Pharmacy. So, I am giving back to the society that really helped me.” (32:57 – 33:05)
- “Be realistic and maybe try it a little bit first. Because that’s a big part. If you enjoy living in a small town, enjoy being with people living in a small town and enjoy the same things they enjoy—the success of your Pharmacy is going to be much faster and better.” (43:18 – 43:38)
- “You should know why people should come to you. You should answer that question. If you have a good answer, you are going to be 100% successful because people have a reason to come to you. There should be something different about you that brings people to you—you’re closer, you’re cheaper, you have better service.” (45:09 – 45:26)
Social Media Clips (Time Stamps)
- From Iran to Canada: A Pharmacist’s Unconventional Journey (1:51 – 6:00)
- How Aryo Mehrabi Overcame Odds to Reclaim a Pharmacy Career (6:28 – 13:16)
- Teamwork vs. Solo Act: The Human Element in Pharmacy (14:20 – 16:00)
- Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Aryo’s Pharmacy Triumph (17:00 – 21:52)
- Thriving Against the Odds: Aryo’s Rural Pharmacy Adventure (22:44 – 27:33)
- Lessons from Multiple Pharmacy Ventures (29:40 – 34:27)
- Empowering Pharmacists: Aryo’s Exam Prep Journey (34:42 – 38:50)
- The Canadian Dream: Aryo’s Journey of Immigration and Achievement (39:05 – 42:28)
- Real Talk: Aryo’s Advice for Prospective Pharmacy Owners (42:36 – 46:20)
