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Testimonials
Enjoy these photos of our newly renovated store; and read (below) what our clients and community say about their experiences with Ford’s Apothecary. Better still, come visit us at Ford's Apothecary soon!
Remarks by Merrill Henderson--Deputy Mayor, City of Moncton
Ford’s Apothecary Grand Re-Opening & Ribbon Cutting--Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mesdames et Messieurs, on behalf of Mayor Lorne Mitton, City Council, and the citizens of Moncton, I am pleased to bring official greetings on the occasion of the grand re-opening of Ford’s Apothecary. Mesdames et Messieurs, au nom de la Ville de Moncton, bienvenue a cette ouverture officielle.
Moncton is fortunate to be home to a number of quality businesses that offer our residents the absolute best. Such is true for the team at Ford’s, who for a number of years have been providing customers with outstanding care, professional opinions, and expert advice.
Your specialization in customized medications, herbal, homeopathic, nutritionals, and environmental sensitivities contributes to the overall health and wellness of many of our citizens. Thank you to both Peter and Anne-Marie Ford for your leadership and commitment to this profession.
Your new facility is a welcome addition to St. George Street, and the Greater Moncton area. Nous sommes très contents d’avoir Ford’s dans notre région. Bon succès!
I wish you the best of luck with your grand re-opening, and wish you continued success with your operation.
Thank you. Merci.
Times & Transcript | Achieving Success
As published on page C2 on September 28, 2005
Ford's Apothecary goes the extra mile
Achieving Success
LINDA HERSEY
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The biggest mistake you can make in business is not making a business plan.
So say Peter and Anne Marie Ford, who own and operate Ford's Apothecary located at 544 St. George Boulevard.
"We wrote our own business plan," says Peter. "It was about 40 pages and it was our road map for the next five years markets that we wanted to target, how we were going to market, how we were going to advertise, service levels and what we wanted our reputation to become. We followed that pretty darn close, but when you have a business plan and a road map, it's pretty easy."
"(Even when) your markets change a little bit, you've got to keep on adapting to that time in and time out - and work with suppliers and bankers in a good relationship, not always the easiest thing to do. We've also had a very good relationship with our accountant. That is very important, because we are pharmacists, not accountants."
With more than 20 years of experience at Ford's Apothecary, Peter and Anne Marie (both pharmacists) originally owned the Jean Coutou outlet on the corner of St. George and High Streets. After six years they decided they wanted to take a new direction.
"We went off on our own and started with kind of a wing and a prayer," he says. "It was tough trying to make all your payments and stuff like that. We couldn't hire very many people, and just over time it's been really word of mouth and it's worked very well."
Now with 20 employees on staff, it's full speed ahead for the friendly apothecary on St. George Boulevard. In addition to offering "normal prescriptions," they also do a large compounding business and have nursing home services. Don't look for pop and chips and the like in their front store; it is a traditional drug store in every sense of the word, with patent medicines and nutritionals.
At Ford's Apothecary they are committed to serving their patients and customers, and they know "90 per cent of the people that walk in here."
They enjoy "going that extra mile" to "make medicines to match the patients," and they are one of only a few in the Maritimes who do compounding (preparation ofmedicines). They also teach the compounding process at seminars across North America.
Successful despite not being open around the clock, they decided at the outset that their hours of operation would reflect their number one commitment in life - their children: Nicholas (20), Jessie (19), Christina (17), Anthony (14), Gina (12), Michael (10) and Lucie (7).
"We looked at the family values that we wanted to maintain, and we made that decision. We are open no Sundays, no holidays, nine to six Monday through Friday and Saturdays nine 'til one in the wintertime only, from Fall to Spring."
Peter and Anne Marie Ford are achieving success, with their priorities intact. Their advice to other entrepreneurial hopefuls is in itself a pretty valuable road map.
"Plan and take risks," he says with a smile, "and continue to dream."
Achieving Success is a bi-weekly feature of the Times & Transcript which offers insights from successful businesspeople for achieving success in business. Linda Hersey is a freelance writer from Lower Coverdale and a frequent contributor to the Times & Transcript.
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