Creating a business warrior

Ruth Tellier is much more than the co-owner of Tellier's Pharmacy; she is also a business warrior.

It took hard work and determination for her to get there, but she did it.

The 44-year-old mother of two has a masters in agriculture, and a diploma in accounting.

"I'm a continuous learner," she laughed.

She is currently working towards an advanced certificate in accounting through CPA Alberta.

As someone who was not raised in retail, Tellier relied on the guidance of her in-laws, who built the company from the ground-up.

Jane and Gerry Tellier were the founders of Tellier's Pharmacy.

"They opened Tellier's Pharmacy just down the street from where we are now, in May 1971. They grew it from there. They started from scratch, and we're just fortunate that they built a good business," Tellier said.

She and her husband Paul purchased the business in 2007, and continued the Tellier legacy.

"We're always trying to figure out what's next and how do we become better at what we do," Tellier expressed. "We're always trying to find out what we can do to support our community."

Tellier described her mother-in-law as a woman passionate about her work, and a true inspiration.

Jane was a licensed pharmacist, owned a sewing shop, and "a few little ventures of her own."

"In some ways, she was an inspiration to me, because they were the same, they always wondered what's next," Tellier said. "They were always trying to do something."

Along the way, Tellier has relied on her employees to help build the business to what it is today.

"We currently have 30 employees, and we wouldn't be what we are today without the people we've crossed paths with in the past and those we have with us now," she expressed. "We have a wonderful team, and they really are the ones who have contributed to Tellier's Pharmacy."

Being a woman has never stood in her way.

During the construction of their new store, Tellier was the one workers turned to for guidance.

"This was my baby, and I was the go-to person for the crews," described Tellier. "I'm not afraid of dealing with men in general. I'm a fairly strong personality."

It's that strong mindset that has carried her through what she described as a "man's world."

Tellier believes it's important to recognize not only the career-driven women in the community, but all women.

"I think it's more important to recognize not only the successful business and career women, because we all make our choices. I think we need to recognize the diversity of women in our community, more than just the business and career women."

Tellier has noticed how others may try and downplay what some women have chosen to do with their lives, but wants to let them know that they should never back down.

"It's their choice. They may be a very successful stay-at-home mom, they may be a very successful employee, whatever route they have chosen in life and in whatever they do, they can be successful," she emphasized.

When it comes down to it, women who have been successful in what they do are role models within their communities.

"I think we need to be positive," added Tellier. "We never know who we might inspire."

As a word of advice to women considering joining the business world, Tellier recommends just giving it a try.

For Tellier, it's the challenge that keeps her alive.

"I like to figure things out because I have always been this way, always wanting to do things for myself and wanting to figure out how to do things, because then I can say I did it. It's a self-pride thing."

A woman who runs her own business has the ability to "own" her own job, Tellier added, but that doesn't mean she will be able to take time off.

Taking the risk and making mistakes was some of the ending notes Tellier had for women in the working world.

"Make sure you have good support. It can be very challenging. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses early on, because you can't do it all," she said. "You have to be dedicated, you have to be adaptable, and you have to be able to persevere."