Community Care and Legacy: Colton and Catherine Marcum's Journey with Marcum’s Pharmacy in Kingsport
September 18, 2024 • 34 mins
Ever wondered what sets a local, family-owned pharmacy apart from the big chains? Join us as we sit down with Colton Marcum, the passionate owner and pharmacist of Marcum's Pharmacy in Kingsport, Tennessee. From heartwarming stories about his grandfather, Carl, who founded the pharmacy in 1962, to the challenges faced by small business owners today, Colton, alongside his wife Catherine, offers a rich tapestry of insights. You’ll learn about the unique personalized services they provide, from customized packaging solutions to knowing their customers by name and going the extra mile even after hours.
Explore the importance of a strong team culture and community support in running a successful independent pharmacy. Colton shares how he and Catherine have cultivated a dedicated team and created a work environment that feels more like family. Discover the charm of the Tri-Cities area, which boasts a thriving community spirit and a surprising number of independent pharmacies. This episode is a treasure trove of inspiration for anyone captivated by stories of perseverance, community involvement, and the enduring legacy of family businesses. Tune in for an intimate look at what it takes to navigate the world of independent pharmacies and the timeless value of community relationships.
To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
One.
This is Benchmark HappeningsBrought to you by Jonathan and
Steve from Benchmark Home.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Loans.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Northeast Tennessee Johnson City, kingsport, bristol
, the Tri-Cities One of the mostbeautiful places in the country
to live Tons of great things todo and awesome local businesses
.
And on this show you'll findout why people are dying to move
to Northeast Tennessee.
And on the way we'll havediscussions about mortgages and
(00:32):
we'll interview people in thereal estate industry.
It's what we do.
This is Benchmark Happenings,brought to you by Benchmark Home
Loans, and now your host,christine Reed.
And now your host, christineReed.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Well, welcome back everybody to another episode of
Benchmark Happenings, and sowe're so excited.
Today, the star of our show isColton Markham.
Welcome, Colton.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Hey, thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Absolutely, and Colton is.
Not only is he a business owner, he's a pharmacist, has a long,
rich family history in theKingsport community, but he's
also an entrepreneur.
And so, Colton, we are justecstatic to have you here today
(01:21):
to talk about Markham's Pharmacy, located on 902 Broad Street in
Kingsport, Tennessee.
So look up the website, givethem a shout, go see them.
So, Colton, let's just kind ofdive into this today and the
Markham family.
I worked with your daddy in theER for many, many years.
I love your dad, Greg, and wehang out with your Aunt Gina,
(01:46):
his sister, so we've known eachother for a long time, even knew
your granddaddy Carl.
So share a little bit aboutkind of the rich history that
the Markham family has and howyou guys have.
Just you've been in Kingsportand you've really been a part of
the community of Kingsport fora long time and you've really
been a part of the community ofKingsport for a long time.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Yeah, so my grandfather started the pharmacy
in 1962, and he was in his veryearly 20s I don't remember what
age.
I think everything just kind offell into place.
I met my wife in pharmacyschool and she's originally from
the Bristol-Bluff City area, sonot too far away.
And then my aunt has Penny, orI guess my cousin owns Penny's
(02:30):
Prescription Shop in Kingsportnow, so we've always been very
involved in the pharmacycommunity.
And then Catherine and I gotout of, we started working in
2008 as pharmacists and webought the store in 2011 and got
to work a handful of years withmy granddad, which were great
memories to have and taught me alot.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
And so, yeah, I bet there are some stories to tell
about Carl Markham.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Oh, that could be a whole podcast series.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Yeah, I don't want to burst the bubble, but probably
one of the most memorablestories I have is when someone
tried to rob him.
And he had a knife.
He was a druggie, had a knife.
Came in there and called andsaid well, you brought a knife
to a gunfight.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
That's right.
He shot the guy.
It was even lucky he hit him.
But he hit the guy in the hand.
So then he got to telleverybody he shot the weapons
out of his hand.
There you go, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah, so that's awesome.
Well, we love your family andeverything that you guys are.
Every one of you are people whogive.
You are people who give backand so share a little bit.
And your beautiful wife,Catherine, who's also a
pharmacist.
Now, how many children do youhave now?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
We've got two children.
We've got our daughter isshe'll be in eighth grade this
year, charlesy and and then wehave our sons.
He'll be 10 next week, so we'rein two weeks I think.
So, yeah, and they're.
They're keeping us busy betweensports and dance and all those
things, but we love it, and thenyou know if we have them at the
(04:12):
drugstore.
Sometimes Charles will help usstock shelves and things like
that.
That's great yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Do you think she'll be a future pharmacist Colton?
Speaker 3 (04:21):
You know, pharmacy's had its ups and downs over the
last few years and she's kind ofheard a lot about that.
So I don't know, I would liketo see her maybe do that, but
you know, sometimes you hearyour parents gripe too much.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Well, I mean, I know it's challenging and we'll talk
about some of that too, but soone thing I wanted to sort of
for us to share with theaudience too is something about
that.
You know your passion forpharmacy and how that, how you
got into that.
What made you decide I mean,being around that for so long,
(04:53):
and your dad's a physician, yourgrandfather's a pharmacist what
made you decide to go into thepharmacy profession?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You know, people ask me that a lot and I really don't
know what the big change was.
It was just kind of something Ialways thought I would do and my
granddad was my hero and Ilooked up to him and I don't
really remember when I decided Iwas going to go to pharmacy
(05:21):
school, but from high school on,I just you know that was always
my path and I just don'tremember thinking about anything
else.
So I think it was just natural.
Course, I don't know, I don'thave a good answer, but I've
always thought that's what Iwould do and that's what I ended
up.
And you enjoy it.
(05:42):
Yeah, I do, and you've beendoing this for a long time 16
years, now 16 years.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
And I think just the fact that you kind of knew this
is what I'm going to do and youstarted young, being able to
build the business and actuallygrow.
I mean Markins Pharmacy thewebsite is great and all the
things that you guys offer in apharmacy.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
It's changed a lot.
We've had to not to complain,but insurance reimbursements
have gone down.
Even Walgreens just announcedthey're going to close 25% of
their stores, really.
And the Community Pharmacistsassociation, uh, they, you know,
they've predicted about a thirdof pharmacists for independent
(06:29):
pharmacies to go out this year.
So we've had to diversify, uh,but diversification is not bad
because we're helping morepeople that way.
Uh, you know, during duringcovid, we, we did, you know, flu
and strep testing prior tocovid.
But it wasn't real well knownand uh, and then COVID kind of
brought that to light, that whenwe did all the COVID testing
and all that, and sometimes it'sjust easier to run by a
(06:51):
pharmacy If you've got a carfull of kids and we can run out
there and do a flu test.
And so yeah, new services havebeen vital for the business, but
they're helping the communityas well.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I think that's great.
And strep testing for thebusiness, but they're helping
the community as well.
I think that's great.
And strep testing, I mean likehow many times and every time
Steve has a sore throat I'm likehoney, you need to go get a
strep test.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Well, tennessee is a neat state with pharmacy law too
.
They offer something calledcollaborative practice.
So, in conjunction with aphysician, if you come to the
store and you test positive forstrep, we can treat you.
So there's no need to call yourdoctor to get a prescription or
anything like that.
That collaborative practice atthe state of Tennessee is
(07:33):
growing.
We've even got protocol forUTIs and all sorts of different
things.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
My gosh.
How convenient yeah it's prettyneat.
And UTIs, especially for anolder person, because they can
be so dangerous so you guys cantreat like give an antibiotic
for all those things.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Yeah, and flu, we can , you know Tamiflu.
And then we've even got aprotocol for like poison, ivy
things and, you know, likeinhalers.
We have an agreement where ifyou have asthma and you need an
inhaler and it's the weekend,you can't get a hold of your
doctor, we can do something likethat as well.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
So it's pretty neat, so a lot of this is very new and
just now happening.
That is amazing and I love thefact that you're talking about
that, because those that arelistening, we need to know that,
because not only is it a timesaver, it's convenience, but
also think about the money thatyou're saving too, and you're
(08:31):
helping more people because ittakes a long time to get into
your doctor now.
Sure, yeah.
So what are some of the otherservices that you are getting
into offering through atMarkham's pharmacy besides the
testing Colton?
Speaker 3 (08:46):
So we do compounding, and our compounding has really
grown over the years.
And that that encompasses a lotof different things,
Catherine's.
Well, actually I've just got we, we both have a hormone
replacement, you know, specialtycertificate or whatever you
call it.
So she does, she, she does alot of hormone consulting and.
I've.
(09:06):
I do it as well.
Most people prefer to go toCatherine, but compounding we do
veterinary compounding, we dodifferent scar creams and
dermatology things and hair loss, weight loss.
There's all sorts of things youwouldn't find traditionally
traditional products likelow-dose naltrexone we were
(09:29):
talking about earlier, which isgood for all sorts of autoimmune
diseases, things like that.
So compounding has been big.
We're really expanding oursupplement line with
pharmaceutical-grade supplements, not stuff you would find at
the Not the stuff from China,not the stuff at the big box
stores that Do not take it thatmay not have what says on the
(09:49):
label in it.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Exactly.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
And that's kind of become a passion of mine.
Like the first hormoneconference we went to years ago,
I was kind of dreaded.
I was like, well, this is goingto be boring, but it was
exciting and we talked aboutsupplements and nutrition and
things like that and I thinkthere's a lot in that realm
where it can really help peopletoo.
So that's something else we'redoing.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Yeah, how did you make that?
There's so many supplements outthere, Colton?
I mean, it's overwhelming.
And I was looking at yourwebsite with all the ones that
you're offering LifeAid, Biola.
I mean, how did you decide like, okay, these are the lines that
we are going to?
Speaker 3 (10:30):
invest in.
It's funny.
The website's getting ready.
We're going to have a whole newone here in about two weeks.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
It's been in the works.
Oh, that's great.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
The supplements.
I kind of just a lot ofresearch and then I've had some
friends in the pharmacy fieldthat well across the country
actually, that were kind ofmaybe a step or two ahead of me
on that and I went with myresearch, their recommendations
(10:59):
and we want, you know,professional-grade products that
you know, that they do theirown testing and quality
assurance and all those measures.
So you know that if you buy, youknow magnesium-3 and 8, you're
getting magnesium-3 and 8.
And you know at the dosesmagnesium 3 and 8, you're
getting magnesium 3 and 8.
And at the doses.
It just says on the bottle.
And then you mentioned BioLite.
We've had that for years.
(11:19):
It's just a hydration product.
I actually did a BioLitepodcast.
It was the very first podcast Iever did.
Oh cool, and it's likePedialyte on steroids and it's a
great hydration for anybodythat's been sick or just not
working the side and things likethat Salty but it's neat.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
I was reading where you don't have to do the IV
hydration because there'sclinics.
I don't know if they're clinics, but they tout come and get an
IV hangover IV or vitamin Cinfusion.
But this is awesome that youcan use the bottle.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Yeah, they call it IV in the bottle and it was
developed by a physician that'swife was going through I think
it was breast cancer treatmentand she was having all the side
effects and I think his daughternow runs the company.
But yeah, it'sphysician-formulated and just
something she could have at homeand not have to go to the
office.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Right, so I have the testing multiple products that
you offer counseling hormonetherapy replacement.
So let's talk about thecompounding and the pharmacy
side.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
So some of the things that you're doing there at
Markham's.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Well, another thing, something we're doing a lot of
packaging all of a sudden herelately.
So we can.
We've got a machine and it putsyour medicine in blister packs.
Okay, so which is you know?
People immediately think, well,it's good for an elderly person
which?
Speaker 1 (12:54):
it is, but like I love it.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
I do mine in it because if I'm going on a trip
for five days instead of takingfour or five bottles and we put
supplements in it as well.
So if you're taking supplements, we can put them in there
Instead of taking a bunch ofbottles with you, pull off five
days' worth of strips and rollthem up and it takes up a whole
lot less space.
But it's also good for anybodythat takes multiple medications
(13:16):
or has trouble rememberingthings.
The packaging we don't offer.
There's no additional chargefor it To do that.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Wow, that's a great service.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
So what differentiates local-owned
pharmacy that?
Speaker 1 (13:34):
So so what differentiates.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
You know, local owned pharmacy, cause we we love
supporting people local and welove our local small businesses.
We support a lot of veteranshere at benchmark home loans and
you know we're we're a localyou know, mortgage lender and we
have to compete with.
You know the rocket mortgagesonline and things like that, so
tell us, um, I think we'vealready touched on a lot of this
, but how do you differentiateyourselves from the Walmarts of
(13:58):
the world and these big boxchain pharmacies?
Speaker 3 (14:04):
If you walk in not just Markham's but any
independence in the area, we'regoing to know your name.
You're not a number.
And there's great pharmacistsat those chain stores but
they're not.
But they they work underrestraints.
That you know.
Maybe we don't have yourcorporate policies and and and
you don't.
It's our customers, are ourlivelihood and and and the
(14:28):
people that come to Markham'sare the reason Catherine and I
make a living.
Yes, and so you have to justtake care of your people.
And my grandfather.
That was the main thing.
He beat my head.
He didn't show me a whole lotabout how to do payroll or
things like that.
I had to kind of figure thatout on my own.
(14:48):
But take care of your peopleand I think most independent
pharmacies really kind of go bythat and it's like family, I
mean the customer moves away orpasses away.
It's sad, I mean you get tobuild a relationship with these
people.
Or they walk in.
(15:08):
How was Colt's soccer game thisweekend?
Or I saw Charles on the dancefield or something like that.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Sure.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
So, it's just a big family environment and I think
it makes it special.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
And more personalized service.
And the fact that you actuallyknow your clients and know their
needs.
You're willing to help them out.
Like you even mentioned earlierabout if you need an inhaler on
the weekend, I mean you can'tdo that anywhere else.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Well, that's through a certain collaborative practice
, but I've driven to the storeat midnight if somebody's needed
something, I don't like drivingdown there at midnight, but I
will do it if you need it.
Yeah, I hate to speak foreverybody, but most of your
independents will do that forpeople.
It's just and the others can,the big chains can.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Right, right.
So what are some of the thingsthat you had to learn?
I mean, you learned thepharmacy business.
You were with your grandfatherand he, he instilled in you
people.
First, take care of yourcustomers.
Um, what are some of the otherthings you've had to learn as
really a business owner, butslash entrepreneur, because
(16:18):
you're developing a lot more.
You're expanding the pharmacybusiness.
What are some challenges thatyou faced along the way?
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Oh goodness, probably a lot.
I think I've learned a lot, thehard way sometimes.
You know, we remodeled thestore.
We've been there, I guess,three years now.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Well, let's talk about that building because,
that building has a rich history.
It was built in 1927?
.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
So what's the history of that?
The building is absolutelybeautiful and you've done a
beautiful job, Thank you.
It's really iconic there onBroad Street in Kingsport.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
So if you come in the store, we've got some old
newspaper articles from when itwas built in 1927.
It was touted as Kingsport'sfirst freestanding apartment
building.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Okay, it was really advanced for the time, like it
had it had a switchboard.
It wasn't there when we boughtit but there was old switchboard
in the basement with, uh, youknow, they had their own phone
system for back in the day andthen, like trash incinerators in
the basement, everybody had atrash chute down.
It's a really cool old buildingand I think, uh, the newspaper
(17:30):
article said I think it costthem $50,000 to build it back
then, which is just amazing, andwe still have apartments above
it.
We weren't sure what to do withit.
And you were talking aboutlearning things the hard way.
I had to move, kind of as aresult of I signed a bad lease
when I was young and my rent wasgoing through the roof, oh my
(17:51):
goodness.
And so we're like, and this waswe were out growing our space as
well, but you know, that was alesson learned the hard way, but
it worked out because we loveour space.
We we need the room.
We were able to expand ourcompounding lab and you know
there's a med spa in there aswell.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
I was going to ask you about the med spa there.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Yeah, so a med spa in there as well?
I was gonna ask you about themed spa there, yeah, so, uh, it
was formerly the science ofbeauty and kingsport.
It's now she's changed the nameto r may.
It's run by amanda jackson.
I mean, she's rent space fromus.
But, uh, it's really it's cool.
Go check it out.
It's very uh, bougie I wouldsay like it's and uh, but you
they do.
You can check out their website.
(18:32):
They do all sorts of you knowthe beauty type stuff, but then
she's also doing you know weightloss and hormones and things
like that.
Okay, and some you know minor,almost urgent care type things.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Something like that.
And you also have the body scanmachine.
Yes, the InBody.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
Yeah, we bought a.
It's a InBody and it's golly.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
That's okay.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
It's a body composition machine and so you
can get on it and it measuresyour muscle mass and fat mass.
It shows you where you'recarrying fat and it's really
cool.
And for instance, like I got onthe first of the year and I'd
been exercising a lot and Ithought I had lost a ton of
weight, I hopped on the scaleand I was furious because I'd
(19:22):
lost like maybe a pound, but asit did my readout, I'd lost like
4% of belly fat and I'd gainedmuscle after a couple months,
that's huge.
Otherwise it had just beendiscouraging at typical scale.
So something like the in body,if anybody's you know trying,
you know exercising and changingtheir, their lifestyle and
(19:44):
whatever they're doing to get inshape, it's, it's a good tool
for people to use and yes, and Iwas there.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
It's been several months ago and I did the in-body
scan.
I need to come back becauseI've lost some more weight since
then and I still lift heavyweights.
So, I need to see, am I?
Speaker 3 (20:02):
building some muscle, You've probably gained some
muscle too.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
So, Colton, I know that you've really struggled
with allergies ever since youwere just a small child.
Of course, my husband, Steve,has struggles with allergies as
well.
What are some of the thingsthat's really helped you to
overcome some of the allergyissues?
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Food allergies are kind of what they are.
I just have to deal with that.
But the seasonal things, um,you know I've quite a few things
like never miss a nightlyshower.
But then, uh, years ago, acouple of years ago, I started a
, uh, a compounded medicationlow-dose naltrexone for more
specifically, for the eczema andskin rashes and things like
(20:51):
that and that's been a lifechanger for me and um, but you
know, just as far as allergies,they could be a hurdle and
things, but just determinationand just having a good attitude
about things, it just could beworse as well, look at it.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
So I just keep going.
That's awesome.
Well, I know, and you dovitamin lines?
Supplements and things likethat.
(21:29):
What are some recommendationsthat you would share with the
audience about healthy lifestyle?
Where do you even begin?
Well, that's a lot.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
It is a lot.
Go talk to your pharmacistfirst of all.
But the, for instance, like theweight loss drugs right now.
They're huge and they work, butthey're not a replacement for
healthy lifestyle habits.
(22:02):
I mean, say you're takingOzempic and then you go out and
eat whatever you want.
It's really not going to dowhat it.
And if you don't exercise whiledoing that, then you're going
to lose muscle mass as well.
You're not going to eat as much.
So if you really don't doresistance training and change
lifestyles.
It's just a.
I think it's great to kickstartsomebody, it's really good and
(22:24):
get you, but as soon as you knowif you don't change the way
you're living, then it's so youstop and everything's gonna come
right back.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
So um I think people want a magic bullet they do, and
there's no such thing there isno such thing as a magic bullet
and sometimes you can.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
You know there's and, like with supplements,
sometimes there's.
They're not a magic bulleteither, but sometimes they may.
You know, maybe you're you'redragging and you feel, you feel
bad and whatever, and maybe yourvitamin d is just low and
you're not taking the correctvitamin d and and I don't.
There's all sorts of differentthings, there are ways to go
(23:01):
about it, but whatever, andmaybe your vitamin D is just low
and you're not taking thecorrect vitamin D, there's all
sorts of different ways to goabout it.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Yeah, it's a lot, and I think people just either
they're looking for the magicbullet and they're looking for a
way to cheat the system, andthere's just no way to do that.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
No, there's not.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Nothing replaces healthy lifestyle with good
nutrition and exercise.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Nutrition, exercise and sleep.
I mean you've got to Sleep'svery important.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
It is, it is.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
And you know, I think resistance exercise, like
weights, often has beenoverlooked for a long time.
That's really good for you.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Absolutely yeah.
And keep you going, and strongtoo, and mobile so we've kind of
talked about some of thedifferences that you know as a
family-owned pharmacy, how youdifferentiate from the big chain
.
Uh, I you know.
Um, definitely, we're all aboutthe family pharmacy and that's
what we use um but what are?
(24:00):
how do you overcome and how haveyou been able to overcome some
of the struggles with being asmall business owner and in the
independent pharmacy business?
What's helped you?
Just, I mean you've been,you've been here for a long time
in the industry, and I meanfrom your, your granddad, from
1962, you've been doing this forover 16 years.
(24:21):
So what are?
What have you been doing?
How do you overcome thesestruggles?
Speaker 3 (24:27):
First of all, I think I've got a great team at the
drugstore and that has been.
I've always had great people,but I really have like a bunch
of superstars right now and havefor quite a few years and
having a solid team, and then,of course, catherine and I, we
(24:47):
have each other to lean on.
But it starts kind of insidethe store there and then I don't
know.
Just the Tri-Cities is greatbecause it really does support.
I think you'll find moreindependent pharmacies in the
Tri-Cities than maybe anywhereelse around.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Really.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
It's amazing when I go to pharmacy conferences and
things like that, somebody's inthe same size city as Kingsport
and there's a handful ofpharmacies, maybe 10, 12 in
Kingsport alone.
So it's great that ourcommunity supports the
independence and um, I don'tknow, just staying true to
ourselves and and trying to dothe best we can.
(25:28):
I think that that gets us thesupport we need.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
so yes, and you didn't have to have a consultant
to tell you those things.
But but we talk about here atBenchmark culture.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
And you just defined your culture.
I mean you surround yourselfwith good people that you trust,
who are motivated.
You love your team.
I think that's just soimportant to have that.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
Oh, it's super important and I remember years
ago, when I didn't have client,that I'd go home and I'd be
stressed.
Now it's like when you'resurrounded with great people and
you work with them every dayand there's no drama and
everybody's doing the best theycan.
It kind of makes everythingelse fall into place.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
It really does.
And I think about relievingyourself of and I know Steve
goes through this too if, if,because one person can't do it
all, and we bring in people whoenhance the strengths that we
don't have.
Sure, yeah, if.
And I think it comes torecognizing your weaknesses but
(26:37):
also, more importantly, knowingyour strengths, or those lies.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Oh yeah, like you know, there's always a
technician in the pharmacyinputting prescriptions.
And if I was the one doing thatall the time, nobody would come
to Markham's because it'd takehours.
So I mean we have other peoplethat do that yes.
I mean, there's places youdon't want me in the business.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
So, yes, I mean, there's places you don't want me
in the business.
I love that you're.
You're a people person anddon't put you in front of, don't
put Colton in front of acomputer.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Yeah, I mean especially not inputting
prescriptions.
Uh, that'll, in fact I'll gostart to do one and one of the
other people walk over like here.
I'll just have to fix it anyway, they they'll push me away from
it oh, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
So I think you've kind of touched on it a little
bit.
But why did you choose to stayin Kingsport?
I mean, so many younger people,oh gosh, I live in Kingsport.
I was, you know, born andraised here, went to Dobbins
Bennett.
I can't wait to leave.
So what caused you to keep yourroots here?
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Well, it's just always suited me.
I like doing outdoors typethings when I'm not.
We live in a great area forthat, with all the rivers and
lakes, and I never wanted to gothat far.
Plus, I knew I was walking intothe business, but it's perfect
(28:06):
for me.
I wouldn't be comfortable in abig city.
It's to each their own.
A lot of people love that, sure, but I mean, I like it here and
I think it's a great place toraise a family as well.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Absolutely, and that's really what birthed this
podcast Benchmark Happenings,all the great things in East
Tennessee and the great peoplewho live here, because it's a
beautiful place and reallypeople are just.
They really are like, at thebeginning, dying to move to East
Tennessee because we get peoplefrom California, new York, from
(28:38):
Florida and they just can'tbelieve how amazing it is to
live here.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Yeah, it's a beautiful place.
I was talking to a guy theother night.
He just moved here from YumaArizona and he said he was just
in awe just at the mountains andall that and people here and
we're truly, genuinely nicepeople.
Yes.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
We really are, and I think that's something that
people just are amazed when theycome here, Like we say hello
because you know what.
That's just what we do.
You know we like to eat, sowhat are some pearls of wisdom
that you would like to sharewith those listening today?
(29:23):
Just about you know reallyabout running your business,
being an entrepreneur or what.
What encouragement would youhave for younger people today?
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Well, we've already touched on it, but I think it
starts with the culture and theteam well, we've already touched
on it, but I think it startswith the culture and the team
and um, and I can carry on aboutthat forever because I I truly
believe that.
But then you know, I've had myups and downs over the years and
with a big renovation there wassome, there was some tight
times and, uh, keep your chin upand don't get down and and and
(30:00):
just keep going.
I mean it's.
It's if you let yourself getoverwhelmed, you will become
overwhelmed, but if you focus onthe if you, you know, break
things down, focus on thepositives and count your wins.
You know, the losses don't seemso heavy that as much then so,
(30:20):
but start it with a good team.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Yeah, and you know what I've?
Just the wisdom.
For someone your age, you haveso much wisdom and it's so
refreshing because you are,you're a winner.
I mean your attitude of youknow, just counting your
blessings and looking at thepositive and not being
(30:44):
overwhelmed with whatever lifethrows at you.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
Sometimes I am overwhelmed.
My advice is to try not to, butthank you.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
Yeah, absolutely.
What's your proudestaccomplishment or
accomplishments?
I mean, I can probably say alot of things, but what would
you say today?
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Oh, that'd be Charles C Colt, my two little kids yes,
and they're growing up quick,but they're I mean.
I'm sure every parent says this, but I'm awful proud of my
children and they're great kidsand it's yeah they're just fun
to be.
You know, I don't know, theyjust make me smile, that's
(31:27):
wonderful.
And they don't have any troublewith them, and they get along.
And just I'm really proud ofthose two yeah that's great.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Well, you know what.
That's why we work hard, that'swhy we have a business is so we
can raise our families and youhave a beautiful family and just
all of your family, steve and Ijust love your mom and dad and
you know your Aunt Gina andUncle Fred, and you guys are
just like you come from greatstock.
(31:59):
And we appreciate what you've,what you've done really for our
community, and just the factthat that you all truly give
back.
You're not selfish people atall.
You're always helping others,thinking about other people more
than yourself.
So Markham's Pharmacy andKingsport 902 Broad Street,
(32:20):
colton what's the website wherepeople can go?
I know you're redoing it, butit's active now.
Speaker 3 (32:28):
Sure, it's wwwmarkhamspharmacycom, and then
we're doing a lot on socialmedia now.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
So Facebook and Instagram are both Markham's
pharmacy as well, so okay, well,we'll have to definitely follow
you on social media and learnabout your posts and stuff.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
And any last words, colton, before we wrap up I
think that's about it, but thankyou so much.
Thank you for the opportunitywell, you're certainly welcome.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
I hope you'll come back.
I will.
I will give us an update bringkatherine next time too.
You get a couple's perspective.
Oh, I would love that you knowa husband-wife team in the
business.
You know what?
That's a great idea we need todo that.
Let's do it Okay.
Colton Markham, thank you withMarkham's Pharmacy for being
(33:16):
with us today.
And God bless you and yourfamily for being with us today.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
And God bless you and your family you as well.
Thank you.
This has been BenchmarkHappenings, brought to you by
Jonathan Tipton and Steve Reedfrom Benchmark Home Loans.
Jonathan and Steve areresidential mortgage lenders.
They do home loans in NortheastTennessee and they're not only
licensed in Tennessee butFlorida, georgia, south Carolina
and Virginia.
We hope you've enjoyed the show.
(33:43):
If you did, make sure to like,rate and review.
Our passion is NortheastTennessee, so if you have
questions about mortgages, callus at 423-491-5405.
And the website iswwwJonathanAndStevecom.
Thanks for being with us andwe'll see you next time on
(34:05):
Benchmark Happenings.
One.
This is Benchmark HappeningsBrought to you by Jonathan and
Steve from Benchmark Home.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Loans.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Northeast Tennessee Johnson City, kingsport, bristol
, the Tri-Cities One of the mostbeautiful places in the country
to live Tons of great things todo and awesome local businesses
.
And on this show you'll findout why people are dying to move
to Northeast Tennessee.
And on the way we'll havediscussions about mortgages and
(00:32):
we'll interview people in thereal estate industry.
It's what we do.
This is Benchmark Happenings,brought to you by Benchmark Home
Loans, and now your host,christine Reed.
And now your host, christineReed.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Well, welcome back everybody to another episode of
Benchmark Happenings, and sowe're so excited.
Today, the star of our show isColton Markham.
Welcome, Colton.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Hey, thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Absolutely, and Colton is.
Not only is he a business owner, he's a pharmacist, has a long,
rich family history in theKingsport community, but he's
also an entrepreneur.
And so, Colton, we are justecstatic to have you here today
(01:21):
to talk about Markham's Pharmacy, located on 902 Broad Street in
Kingsport, Tennessee.
So look up the website, givethem a shout, go see them.
So, Colton, let's just kind ofdive into this today and the
Markham family.
I worked with your daddy in theER for many, many years.
I love your dad, Greg, and wehang out with your Aunt Gina,
(01:46):
his sister, so we've known eachother for a long time, even knew
your granddaddy Carl.
So share a little bit aboutkind of the rich history that
the Markham family has and howyou guys have.
Just you've been in Kingsportand you've really been a part of
the community of Kingsport fora long time and you've really
been a part of the community ofKingsport for a long time.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Yeah, so my grandfather started the pharmacy
in 1962, and he was in his veryearly 20s I don't remember what
age.
I think everything just kind offell into place.
I met my wife in pharmacyschool and she's originally from
the Bristol-Bluff City area, sonot too far away.
And then my aunt has Penny, orI guess my cousin owns Penny's
(02:30):
Prescription Shop in Kingsportnow, so we've always been very
involved in the pharmacycommunity.
And then Catherine and I gotout of, we started working in
2008 as pharmacists and webought the store in 2011 and got
to work a handful of years withmy granddad, which were great
memories to have and taught me alot.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
And so, yeah, I bet there are some stories to tell
about Carl Markham.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Oh, that could be a whole podcast series.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Yeah, I don't want to burst the bubble, but probably
one of the most memorablestories I have is when someone
tried to rob him.
And he had a knife.
He was a druggie, had a knife.
Came in there and called andsaid well, you brought a knife
to a gunfight.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
That's right.
He shot the guy.
It was even lucky he hit him.
But he hit the guy in the hand.
So then he got to telleverybody he shot the weapons
out of his hand.
There you go, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah, so that's awesome.
Well, we love your family andeverything that you guys are.
Every one of you are people whogive.
You are people who give backand so share a little bit.
And your beautiful wife,Catherine, who's also a
pharmacist.
Now, how many children do youhave now?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
We've got two children.
We've got our daughter isshe'll be in eighth grade this
year, charlesy and and then wehave our sons.
He'll be 10 next week, so we'rein two weeks I think.
So, yeah, and they're.
They're keeping us busy betweensports and dance and all those
things, but we love it, and thenyou know if we have them at the
(04:12):
drugstore.
Sometimes Charles will help usstock shelves and things like
that.
That's great yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Do you think she'll be a future pharmacist Colton?
Speaker 3 (04:21):
You know, pharmacy's had its ups and downs over the
last few years and she's kind ofheard a lot about that.
So I don't know, I would liketo see her maybe do that, but
you know, sometimes you hearyour parents gripe too much.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Well, I mean, I know it's challenging and we'll talk
about some of that too, but soone thing I wanted to sort of
for us to share with theaudience too is something about
that.
You know your passion forpharmacy and how that, how you
got into that.
What made you decide I mean,being around that for so long,
(04:53):
and your dad's a physician, yourgrandfather's a pharmacist what
made you decide to go into thepharmacy profession?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You know, people ask me that a lot and I really don't
know what the big change was.
It was just kind of something Ialways thought I would do and my
granddad was my hero and Ilooked up to him and I don't
really remember when I decided Iwas going to go to pharmacy
(05:21):
school, but from high school on,I just you know that was always
my path and I just don'tremember thinking about anything
else.
So I think it was just natural.
Course, I don't know, I don'thave a good answer, but I've
always thought that's what Iwould do and that's what I ended
up.
And you enjoy it.
(05:42):
Yeah, I do, and you've beendoing this for a long time 16
years, now 16 years.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
And I think just the fact that you kind of knew this
is what I'm going to do and youstarted young, being able to
build the business and actuallygrow.
I mean Markins Pharmacy thewebsite is great and all the
things that you guys offer in apharmacy.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
It's changed a lot.
We've had to not to complain,but insurance reimbursements
have gone down.
Even Walgreens just announcedthey're going to close 25% of
their stores, really.
And the Community Pharmacistsassociation, uh, they, you know,
they've predicted about a thirdof pharmacists for independent
(06:29):
pharmacies to go out this year.
So we've had to diversify, uh,but diversification is not bad
because we're helping morepeople that way.
Uh, you know, during duringcovid, we, we did, you know, flu
and strep testing prior tocovid.
But it wasn't real well knownand uh, and then COVID kind of
brought that to light, that whenwe did all the COVID testing
and all that, and sometimes it'sjust easier to run by a
(06:51):
pharmacy If you've got a carfull of kids and we can run out
there and do a flu test.
And so yeah, new services havebeen vital for the business, but
they're helping the communityas well.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I think that's great.
And strep testing for thebusiness, but they're helping
the community as well.
I think that's great.
And strep testing, I mean likehow many times and every time
Steve has a sore throat I'm likehoney, you need to go get a
strep test.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Well, tennessee is a neat state with pharmacy law too
.
They offer something calledcollaborative practice.
So, in conjunction with aphysician, if you come to the
store and you test positive forstrep, we can treat you.
So there's no need to call yourdoctor to get a prescription or
anything like that.
That collaborative practice atthe state of Tennessee is
(07:33):
growing.
We've even got protocol forUTIs and all sorts of different
things.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
My gosh.
How convenient yeah it's prettyneat.
And UTIs, especially for anolder person, because they can
be so dangerous so you guys cantreat like give an antibiotic
for all those things.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Yeah, and flu, we can , you know Tamiflu.
And then we've even got aprotocol for like poison, ivy
things and, you know, likeinhalers.
We have an agreement where ifyou have asthma and you need an
inhaler and it's the weekend,you can't get a hold of your
doctor, we can do something likethat as well.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
So it's pretty neat, so a lot of this is very new and
just now happening.
That is amazing and I love thefact that you're talking about
that, because those that arelistening, we need to know that,
because not only is it a timesaver, it's convenience, but
also think about the money thatyou're saving too, and you're
(08:31):
helping more people because ittakes a long time to get into
your doctor now.
Sure, yeah.
So what are some of the otherservices that you are getting
into offering through atMarkham's pharmacy besides the
testing Colton?
Speaker 3 (08:46):
So we do compounding, and our compounding has really
grown over the years.
And that that encompasses a lotof different things,
Catherine's.
Well, actually I've just got we, we both have a hormone
replacement, you know, specialtycertificate or whatever you
call it.
So she does, she, she does alot of hormone consulting and.
I've.
(09:06):
I do it as well.
Most people prefer to go toCatherine, but compounding we do
veterinary compounding, we dodifferent scar creams and
dermatology things and hair loss, weight loss.
There's all sorts of things youwouldn't find traditionally
traditional products likelow-dose naltrexone we were
(09:29):
talking about earlier, which isgood for all sorts of autoimmune
diseases, things like that.
So compounding has been big.
We're really expanding oursupplement line with
pharmaceutical-grade supplements, not stuff you would find at
the Not the stuff from China,not the stuff at the big box
stores that Do not take it thatmay not have what says on the
(09:49):
label in it.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Exactly.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
And that's kind of become a passion of mine.
Like the first hormoneconference we went to years ago,
I was kind of dreaded.
I was like, well, this is goingto be boring, but it was
exciting and we talked aboutsupplements and nutrition and
things like that and I thinkthere's a lot in that realm
where it can really help peopletoo.
So that's something else we'redoing.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Yeah, how did you make that?
There's so many supplements outthere, Colton?
I mean, it's overwhelming.
And I was looking at yourwebsite with all the ones that
you're offering LifeAid, Biola.
I mean, how did you decide like, okay, these are the lines that
we are going to?
Speaker 3 (10:30):
invest in.
It's funny.
The website's getting ready.
We're going to have a whole newone here in about two weeks.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
It's been in the works.
Oh, that's great.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
The supplements.
I kind of just a lot ofresearch and then I've had some
friends in the pharmacy fieldthat well across the country
actually, that were kind ofmaybe a step or two ahead of me
on that and I went with myresearch, their recommendations
(10:59):
and we want, you know,professional-grade products that
you know, that they do theirown testing and quality
assurance and all those measures.
So you know that if you buy, youknow magnesium-3 and 8, you're
getting magnesium-3 and 8.
And you know at the dosesmagnesium 3 and 8, you're
getting magnesium 3 and 8.
And at the doses.
It just says on the bottle.
And then you mentioned BioLite.
We've had that for years.
(11:19):
It's just a hydration product.
I actually did a BioLitepodcast.
It was the very first podcast Iever did.
Oh cool, and it's likePedialyte on steroids and it's a
great hydration for anybodythat's been sick or just not
working the side and things likethat Salty but it's neat.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
I was reading where you don't have to do the IV
hydration because there'sclinics.
I don't know if they're clinics, but they tout come and get an
IV hangover IV or vitamin Cinfusion.
But this is awesome that youcan use the bottle.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Yeah, they call it IV in the bottle and it was
developed by a physician that'swife was going through I think
it was breast cancer treatmentand she was having all the side
effects and I think his daughternow runs the company.
But yeah, it'sphysician-formulated and just
something she could have at homeand not have to go to the
office.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Right, so I have the testing multiple products that
you offer counseling hormonetherapy replacement.
So let's talk about thecompounding and the pharmacy
side.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
So some of the things that you're doing there at
Markham's.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Well, another thing, something we're doing a lot of
packaging all of a sudden herelately.
So we can.
We've got a machine and it putsyour medicine in blister packs.
Okay, so which is you know?
People immediately think, well,it's good for an elderly person
which?
Speaker 1 (12:54):
it is, but like I love it.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
I do mine in it because if I'm going on a trip
for five days instead of takingfour or five bottles and we put
supplements in it as well.
So if you're taking supplements, we can put them in there
Instead of taking a bunch ofbottles with you, pull off five
days' worth of strips and rollthem up and it takes up a whole
lot less space.
But it's also good for anybodythat takes multiple medications
(13:16):
or has trouble rememberingthings.
The packaging we don't offer.
There's no additional chargefor it To do that.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Wow, that's a great service.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
So what differentiates local-owned
pharmacy that?
Speaker 1 (13:34):
So so what differentiates.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
You know, local owned pharmacy, cause we we love
supporting people local and welove our local small businesses.
We support a lot of veteranshere at benchmark home loans and
you know we're we're a localyou know, mortgage lender and we
have to compete with.
You know the rocket mortgagesonline and things like that, so
tell us, um, I think we'vealready touched on a lot of this
, but how do you differentiateyourselves from the Walmarts of
(13:58):
the world and these big boxchain pharmacies?
Speaker 3 (14:04):
If you walk in not just Markham's but any
independence in the area, we'regoing to know your name.
You're not a number.
And there's great pharmacistsat those chain stores but
they're not.
But they they work underrestraints.
That you know.
Maybe we don't have yourcorporate policies and and and
you don't.
It's our customers, are ourlivelihood and and and the
(14:28):
people that come to Markham'sare the reason Catherine and I
make a living.
Yes, and so you have to justtake care of your people.
And my grandfather.
That was the main thing.
He beat my head.
He didn't show me a whole lotabout how to do payroll or
things like that.
I had to kind of figure thatout on my own.
(14:48):
But take care of your peopleand I think most independent
pharmacies really kind of go bythat and it's like family, I
mean the customer moves away orpasses away.
It's sad, I mean you get tobuild a relationship with these
people.
Or they walk in.
(15:08):
How was Colt's soccer game thisweekend?
Or I saw Charles on the dancefield or something like that.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Sure.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
So, it's just a big family environment and I think
it makes it special.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
And more personalized service.
And the fact that you actuallyknow your clients and know their
needs.
You're willing to help them out.
Like you even mentioned earlierabout if you need an inhaler on
the weekend, I mean you can'tdo that anywhere else.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Well, that's through a certain collaborative practice
, but I've driven to the storeat midnight if somebody's needed
something, I don't like drivingdown there at midnight, but I
will do it if you need it.
Yeah, I hate to speak foreverybody, but most of your
independents will do that forpeople.
It's just and the others can,the big chains can.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Right, right.
So what are some of the thingsthat you had to learn?
I mean, you learned thepharmacy business.
You were with your grandfatherand he, he instilled in you
people.
First, take care of yourcustomers.
Um, what are some of the otherthings you've had to learn as
really a business owner, butslash entrepreneur, because
(16:18):
you're developing a lot more.
You're expanding the pharmacybusiness.
What are some challenges thatyou faced along the way?
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Oh goodness, probably a lot.
I think I've learned a lot, thehard way sometimes.
You know, we remodeled thestore.
We've been there, I guess,three years now.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Well, let's talk about that building because,
that building has a rich history.
It was built in 1927?
.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
So what's the history of that?
The building is absolutelybeautiful and you've done a
beautiful job, Thank you.
It's really iconic there onBroad Street in Kingsport.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
So if you come in the store, we've got some old
newspaper articles from when itwas built in 1927.
It was touted as Kingsport'sfirst freestanding apartment
building.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Okay, it was really advanced for the time, like it
had it had a switchboard.
It wasn't there when we boughtit but there was old switchboard
in the basement with, uh, youknow, they had their own phone
system for back in the day andthen, like trash incinerators in
the basement, everybody had atrash chute down.
It's a really cool old buildingand I think, uh, the newspaper
(17:30):
article said I think it costthem $50,000 to build it back
then, which is just amazing, andwe still have apartments above
it.
We weren't sure what to do withit.
And you were talking aboutlearning things the hard way.
I had to move, kind of as aresult of I signed a bad lease
when I was young and my rent wasgoing through the roof, oh my
(17:51):
goodness.
And so we're like, and this waswe were out growing our space as
well, but you know, that was alesson learned the hard way, but
it worked out because we loveour space.
We we need the room.
We were able to expand ourcompounding lab and you know
there's a med spa in there aswell.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
I was going to ask you about the med spa there.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Yeah, so a med spa in there as well?
I was gonna ask you about themed spa there, yeah, so, uh, it
was formerly the science ofbeauty and kingsport.
It's now she's changed the nameto r may.
It's run by amanda jackson.
I mean, she's rent space fromus.
But, uh, it's really it's cool.
Go check it out.
It's very uh, bougie I wouldsay like it's and uh, but you
they do.
You can check out their website.
(18:32):
They do all sorts of you knowthe beauty type stuff, but then
she's also doing you know weightloss and hormones and things
like that.
Okay, and some you know minor,almost urgent care type things.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Something like that.
And you also have the body scanmachine.
Yes, the InBody.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
Yeah, we bought a.
It's a InBody and it's golly.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
That's okay.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
It's a body composition machine and so you
can get on it and it measuresyour muscle mass and fat mass.
It shows you where you'recarrying fat and it's really
cool.
And for instance, like I got onthe first of the year and I'd
been exercising a lot and Ithought I had lost a ton of
weight, I hopped on the scaleand I was furious because I'd
(19:22):
lost like maybe a pound, but asit did my readout, I'd lost like
4% of belly fat and I'd gainedmuscle after a couple months,
that's huge.
Otherwise it had just beendiscouraging at typical scale.
So something like the in body,if anybody's you know trying,
you know exercising and changingtheir, their lifestyle and
(19:44):
whatever they're doing to get inshape, it's, it's a good tool
for people to use and yes, and Iwas there.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
It's been several months ago and I did the in-body
scan.
I need to come back becauseI've lost some more weight since
then and I still lift heavyweights.
So, I need to see, am I?
Speaker 3 (20:02):
building some muscle, You've probably gained some
muscle too.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
So, Colton, I know that you've really struggled
with allergies ever since youwere just a small child.
Of course, my husband, Steve,has struggles with allergies as
well.
What are some of the thingsthat's really helped you to
overcome some of the allergyissues?
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Food allergies are kind of what they are.
I just have to deal with that.
But the seasonal things, um,you know I've quite a few things
like never miss a nightlyshower.
But then, uh, years ago, acouple of years ago, I started a
, uh, a compounded medicationlow-dose naltrexone for more
specifically, for the eczema andskin rashes and things like
(20:51):
that and that's been a lifechanger for me and um, but you
know, just as far as allergies,they could be a hurdle and
things, but just determinationand just having a good attitude
about things, it just could beworse as well, look at it.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
So I just keep going.
That's awesome.
Well, I know, and you dovitamin lines?
Supplements and things likethat.
(21:29):
What are some recommendationsthat you would share with the
audience about healthy lifestyle?
Where do you even begin?
Well, that's a lot.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
It is a lot.
Go talk to your pharmacistfirst of all.
But the, for instance, like theweight loss drugs right now.
They're huge and they work, butthey're not a replacement for
healthy lifestyle habits.
(22:02):
I mean, say you're takingOzempic and then you go out and
eat whatever you want.
It's really not going to dowhat it.
And if you don't exercise whiledoing that, then you're going
to lose muscle mass as well.
You're not going to eat as much.
So if you really don't doresistance training and change
lifestyles.
It's just a.
I think it's great to kickstartsomebody, it's really good and
(22:24):
get you, but as soon as you knowif you don't change the way
you're living, then it's so youstop and everything's gonna come
right back.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
So um I think people want a magic bullet they do, and
there's no such thing there isno such thing as a magic bullet
and sometimes you can.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
You know there's and, like with supplements,
sometimes there's.
They're not a magic bulleteither, but sometimes they may.
You know, maybe you're you'redragging and you feel, you feel
bad and whatever, and maybe yourvitamin d is just low and
you're not taking the correctvitamin d and and I don't.
There's all sorts of differentthings, there are ways to go
(23:01):
about it, but whatever, andmaybe your vitamin D is just low
and you're not taking thecorrect vitamin D, there's all
sorts of different ways to goabout it.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Yeah, it's a lot, and I think people just either
they're looking for the magicbullet and they're looking for a
way to cheat the system, andthere's just no way to do that.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
No, there's not.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Nothing replaces healthy lifestyle with good
nutrition and exercise.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Nutrition, exercise and sleep.
I mean you've got to Sleep'svery important.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
It is, it is.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
And you know, I think resistance exercise, like
weights, often has beenoverlooked for a long time.
That's really good for you.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Absolutely yeah.
And keep you going, and strongtoo, and mobile so we've kind of
talked about some of thedifferences that you know as a
family-owned pharmacy, how youdifferentiate from the big chain
.
Uh, I you know.
Um, definitely, we're all aboutthe family pharmacy and that's
what we use um but what are?
(24:00):
how do you overcome and how haveyou been able to overcome some
of the struggles with being asmall business owner and in the
independent pharmacy business?
What's helped you?
Just, I mean you've been,you've been here for a long time
in the industry, and I meanfrom your, your granddad, from
1962, you've been doing this forover 16 years.
(24:21):
So what are?
What have you been doing?
How do you overcome thesestruggles?
Speaker 3 (24:27):
First of all, I think I've got a great team at the
drugstore and that has been.
I've always had great people,but I really have like a bunch
of superstars right now and havefor quite a few years and
having a solid team, and then,of course, catherine and I, we
(24:47):
have each other to lean on.
But it starts kind of insidethe store there and then I don't
know.
Just the Tri-Cities is greatbecause it really does support.
I think you'll find moreindependent pharmacies in the
Tri-Cities than maybe anywhereelse around.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Really.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
It's amazing when I go to pharmacy conferences and
things like that, somebody's inthe same size city as Kingsport
and there's a handful ofpharmacies, maybe 10, 12 in
Kingsport alone.
So it's great that ourcommunity supports the
independence and um, I don'tknow, just staying true to
ourselves and and trying to dothe best we can.
(25:28):
I think that that gets us thesupport we need.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
so yes, and you didn't have to have a consultant
to tell you those things.
But but we talk about here atBenchmark culture.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
And you just defined your culture.
I mean you surround yourselfwith good people that you trust,
who are motivated.
You love your team.
I think that's just soimportant to have that.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
Oh, it's super important and I remember years
ago, when I didn't have client,that I'd go home and I'd be
stressed.
Now it's like when you'resurrounded with great people and
you work with them every dayand there's no drama and
everybody's doing the best theycan.
It kind of makes everythingelse fall into place.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
It really does.
And I think about relievingyourself of and I know Steve
goes through this too if, if,because one person can't do it
all, and we bring in people whoenhance the strengths that we
don't have.
Sure, yeah, if.
And I think it comes torecognizing your weaknesses but
(26:37):
also, more importantly, knowingyour strengths, or those lies.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Oh yeah, like you know, there's always a
technician in the pharmacyinputting prescriptions.
And if I was the one doing thatall the time, nobody would come
to Markham's because it'd takehours.
So I mean we have other peoplethat do that yes.
I mean, there's places youdon't want me in the business.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
So, yes, I mean, there's places you don't want me
in the business.
I love that you're.
You're a people person anddon't put you in front of, don't
put Colton in front of acomputer.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Yeah, I mean especially not inputting
prescriptions.
Uh, that'll, in fact I'll gostart to do one and one of the
other people walk over like here.
I'll just have to fix it anyway, they they'll push me away from
it oh, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
So I think you've kind of touched on it a little
bit.
But why did you choose to stayin Kingsport?
I mean, so many younger people,oh gosh, I live in Kingsport.
I was, you know, born andraised here, went to Dobbins
Bennett.
I can't wait to leave.
So what caused you to keep yourroots here?
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Well, it's just always suited me.
I like doing outdoors typethings when I'm not.
We live in a great area forthat, with all the rivers and
lakes, and I never wanted to gothat far.
Plus, I knew I was walking intothe business, but it's perfect
(28:06):
for me.
I wouldn't be comfortable in abig city.
It's to each their own.
A lot of people love that, sure, but I mean, I like it here and
I think it's a great place toraise a family as well.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Absolutely, and that's really what birthed this
podcast Benchmark Happenings,all the great things in East
Tennessee and the great peoplewho live here, because it's a
beautiful place and reallypeople are just.
They really are like, at thebeginning, dying to move to East
Tennessee because we get peoplefrom California, new York, from
(28:38):
Florida and they just can'tbelieve how amazing it is to
live here.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Yeah, it's a beautiful place.
I was talking to a guy theother night.
He just moved here from YumaArizona and he said he was just
in awe just at the mountains andall that and people here and
we're truly, genuinely nicepeople.
Yes.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
We really are, and I think that's something that
people just are amazed when theycome here, Like we say hello
because you know what.
That's just what we do.
You know we like to eat, sowhat are some pearls of wisdom
that you would like to sharewith those listening today?
(29:23):
Just about you know reallyabout running your business,
being an entrepreneur or what.
What encouragement would youhave for younger people today?
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Well, we've already touched on it, but I think it
starts with the culture and theteam well, we've already touched
on it, but I think it startswith the culture and the team
and um, and I can carry on aboutthat forever because I I truly
believe that.
But then you know, I've had myups and downs over the years and
with a big renovation there wassome, there was some tight
times and, uh, keep your chin upand don't get down and and and
(30:00):
just keep going.
I mean it's.
It's if you let yourself getoverwhelmed, you will become
overwhelmed, but if you focus onthe if you, you know, break
things down, focus on thepositives and count your wins.
You know, the losses don't seemso heavy that as much then so,
(30:20):
but start it with a good team.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Yeah, and you know what I've?
Just the wisdom.
For someone your age, you haveso much wisdom and it's so
refreshing because you are,you're a winner.
I mean your attitude of youknow, just counting your
blessings and looking at thepositive and not being
(30:44):
overwhelmed with whatever lifethrows at you.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
Sometimes I am overwhelmed.
My advice is to try not to, butthank you.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
Yeah, absolutely.
What's your proudestaccomplishment or
accomplishments?
I mean, I can probably say alot of things, but what would
you say today?
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Oh, that'd be Charles C Colt, my two little kids yes,
and they're growing up quick,but they're I mean.
I'm sure every parent says this, but I'm awful proud of my
children and they're great kidsand it's yeah they're just fun
to be.
You know, I don't know, theyjust make me smile, that's
(31:27):
wonderful.
And they don't have any troublewith them, and they get along.
And just I'm really proud ofthose two yeah that's great.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Well, you know what.
That's why we work hard, that'swhy we have a business is so we
can raise our families and youhave a beautiful family and just
all of your family, steve and Ijust love your mom and dad and
you know your Aunt Gina andUncle Fred, and you guys are
just like you come from greatstock.
(31:59):
And we appreciate what you've,what you've done really for our
community, and just the factthat that you all truly give
back.
You're not selfish people atall.
You're always helping others,thinking about other people more
than yourself.
So Markham's Pharmacy andKingsport 902 Broad Street,
(32:20):
colton what's the website wherepeople can go?
I know you're redoing it, butit's active now.
Speaker 3 (32:28):
Sure, it's wwwmarkhamspharmacycom, and then
we're doing a lot on socialmedia now.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
So Facebook and Instagram are both Markham's
pharmacy as well, so okay, well,we'll have to definitely follow
you on social media and learnabout your posts and stuff.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
And any last words, colton, before we wrap up I
think that's about it, but thankyou so much.
Thank you for the opportunitywell, you're certainly welcome.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
I hope you'll come back.
I will.
I will give us an update bringkatherine next time too.
You get a couple's perspective.
Oh, I would love that you knowa husband-wife team in the
business.
You know what?
That's a great idea we need todo that.
Let's do it Okay.
Colton Markham, thank you withMarkham's Pharmacy for being
(33:16):
with us today.
And God bless you and yourfamily for being with us today.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
And God bless you and your family you as well.
Thank you.
This has been BenchmarkHappenings, brought to you by
Jonathan Tipton and Steve Reedfrom Benchmark Home Loans.
Jonathan and Steve areresidential mortgage lenders.
They do home loans in NortheastTennessee and they're not only
licensed in Tennessee butFlorida, georgia, south Carolina
and Virginia.
We hope you've enjoyed the show.
(33:43):
If you did, make sure to like,rate and review.
Our passion is NortheastTennessee, so if you have
questions about mortgages, callus at 423-491-5405.
And the website iswwwJonathanAndStevecom.
Thanks for being with us andwe'll see you next time on
(34:05):
Benchmark Happenings.
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