THE opportunity to call the shots in business and offer employment opportunities to other women, at Shepparton’s only all-female pharmacy has been a game-changer for Reid’s Pharmacy co-owners Kate Boswell and Leticia Keady.
They met at university before Leticia followed pharmacy to Broome and Kate to Melbourne. Both country girls, a year ago they bought Reid’s Pharmacy together from original owner, Steve Reid. Managing the pharmacy through Covid has been a whirlwind, but both Leticia and Kate are proud of their team, and they have kept the business alive by providing great service and good advice.
Kate always loved chemistry at school. She remembers a TV ad that clicked for her. It said “‘Pharmacy, it’s good people science.” Kate didn’t have to sit in a lab all day, she wanted to be able to interact with the people that her chemistry skills could help.
“Going through uni, classes were like 70 percent female. There are way more females doing pharmacy, but somehow it ends up being more males in leadership positions,” Leticia reflected.
Recently married, Leticia admits she sought advice from Steve before buying the business and starting a family.
“I said, ‘Maybe I should wait, maybe I should have kids first then look at this later,’ and he said to me, ‘Would you have kids then run a marathon?'” I realised that I could pursue my career and my personal goals as well.
In addition to a female workforce, Kate and Leticia have taken on female pharmacy students as part of their vaccination service.
“It’s been good to help people with employment opportunities and to just be part of the community, supporting them,” said Leticia.
Reid’s Pharmacy is an independently owned chemist offering expert advice, great service, access to vaccinations and more. Phone 5831 5000 or visit their friendly staff at 92-96 Maude Street, Shepparton.
