A passion for health

Health and Wellness is Shantelle’s Business

Thirty-two-year-old Shantelle Clarke is the owner of RX Solutions Pharmacy &Wellness Centre located in Manor Lodge, Green Hill, St Michael.

Clarke sat down with Positive Vibes to discuss her role as a pharmacist and owner of a pharmacy that also caters to healthy living.

Q: What is your mantra for life?

To be authentic. Just be authentic and genuine in the things that you pursue because they fall into place naturally.

Q: When did you decide to become a pharmacist?

A: When I was at BCC I did the pre-health programme. I knew I wanted to get into healthcare; which direction I was going to go in I was uncertain [about]. So I was between medical lab technology and pharmacy. I felt as though pharmacy gave me that one-on-one contact with customers to have more of an influential impact or outcome on persons with their healthcare.

Q: What led to you opening RX Pharmacy Solutions & Wellness Centre?

A: When I left my last job, I always said at any point that I left it would be to pursue my own business as opposed to working for someone else. I felt that I was at the point where yes, I was doing what I love but I felt as though I was not doing enough to reach people the way I wanted to and have the impact that I wanted on the healthcare service provided. One of my aims with the store is that from the time they pull the door and come in, they feel better physically, emotionally and spiritually. [I want] to help them along on their health journey.

Q: You also have natural alternatives in your pharmacy. What led to you decide to provide healthier alternatives to the traditional pharmaceuticals?

A: I am a pharmacist by profession, but I am really a naturalist at heart. I love natural healthcare and natural health products. I am also big on nutrition interventions and on promoting and maintaining optimal health for any customer. So, while I am a pharmacist and agree and believe pharmaceutical healthcare plays a role and has played a role in the health of individuals it tends to deal with the symptom of the problem. However true healing and improvement in the quality of one’s life always comes from nutritional implementation.

Q: As a mother, is it hard to balance business and quality time with your son?

A: For me, no, it isn’t. I guess it’s because I do not have the clashing of the schedules. The time I would have to spend with my son would be evenings or weekends which are also the times he has off from school. While he is at school, I would be at the business trying to build it in any way I need to. There are times when I am working on weekends and he would help me out with some of the stuff to be done. When we do both have free time, we would spend it relaxing, playing games and going for icecream. I also have the support of my family who are willing to chip in when I need help.

Q: What is one thing the public would not know about you?

A:  I love bikes.

Q: What advice would you have for any young person who wants to become a pharmacist and eventually open their own business?

A: Love what you do. When you love what you do you are going to do it with a certain level of passion. I find that customers can pick up when someone is passionate and loves what they do versus when someone is just enduring the day going through the motions to get a pay cheque. When customers sense you are passionate about what you do, it creates trust and comfort in the customer and as a healthcare professional, I believe those are two of the most important emotions to have a customer experience with you. (LG)