Pharmpreneur of the week Simone Eksteen: "We learn as we go, by taking risks, making mistakes and wrong decisions"
Snapshot:
Education
2006: Bachelors in Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, North West University, South Africa
2012: Primary Care Drug Therapy Pharmacist Certificate, School of Pharmacy, North West University, South Africa
2020: Pharmacist Initiated Anti-Retroviral Therapy, Expanding Access to PrEP and ARV’s Innovation Consortium
2021: Kamba Ya Shanga Asthma Disease Management and Referral Programme, International Primarcy Care Respiratory Group, Astra Zeneca and ICPA
In progress: Masters in Pharmacy Practice, School of Health Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Roles
2011-present: Clinical Pharmacist and Independent Community Pharmacy Manager
2015- 2016: Independent Community Pharmacy Association (NPO, South Africa) - Director: Campaigns
2017-present: Independent Community Pharmacy Association (NPO, South Africa) - Executive Committee Member: Treasurer
What excites you about being an entrepreneur?
My curiosity and sense of experimentation as a scientist can also be applied as an entrepreneur in community pharmacy.
How has your entrepreneurial career evolved since your graduation?
No formal studies can always prepare you for what one will need or learn as an entrepreneur and business leader. We learn as we go, by taking risks, making mistakes and wrong decisions, whether it is with a product, administrative approaches, debtors management, marketing strategies, new services (of which there are many to explore within clinical pharmacy) and human resource management. With the experience, one learns what the “small stuff is” and what to rather spend time and energy on. Listen to the counsel of more experienced entrepreneurial colleagues (not the cynical pessimists). Trust your gut, which will improve with time and experience; it is usually right.
What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
The opportunity and freedom to combine some artistic creativity, exploration and lateral thinking in the workplace and not just to follow a corporate employer's instructions.
I’m not woven together to do the same thing day in and out, decade in and out.
How do you define success?
Balance in all facets of life, including filling one’s own cup.
As a successful entrepreneur, what continues to drive you?
The positive difference made in the lives and livelihoods of others.
What are the biggest challenges to being an entrepreneur?
One learns to be flexible as plans do not work out even if planned to the tee. Wearing many caps and having to constantly juggle many roles and fulfilling all tasks with distinction within the business, which is in essence a community pharmacy with a clinic.
Human resource management is my personal greatest challenge.
How do you manage work/life balance?
It can be very challenging. Learning to set clear boundaries, including to oneself, will be the best way to manage balance.
What books/resources do you recommend for every entrepreneur to check out?
"Screw it, let’s do it!" By Richard Branson
"Do it afraid." By Joyce Meyer
"The seven habits of highly effective people." By Stephen Covey
What advice would you give to colleagues who want to become entrepreneurs?
Set small and achievable goals and reach them one by one. Reaching your goals comes with trial and error, it is not a straight path. You will face adversity. Be your own greatest fan. Be honest with yourself but do not berate yourself. Learn from your mistakes (and if possible, those of others). Trust your gut. Human nature tends not to appreciate fully what came easy. Do not give up!