We were lucky to catch up with James Blackburn recently and have shared our conversation below.
James, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
I started to compound at a local independent pharmacy, essentially working in a small closet. To start I made 1 RX per week, then 2 per week… Once it got to 3 per day, I was not able to keep up with compounding as well as running an entire pharmacy on my own.. I got to a point where I had a rapport with people in town. Doctors trusted me, however I was unable to help anyone because I did not have the time or space. I was turning away cancer patients, pediatrics, veterans, and everyone else. Telling a mother that I can’t make her infant’s medication because I don’t have time made me stop sleeping. This is just one of many examples. I attempted to buy the pharmacy and worked to expand my operations, but the numbers didn’t work. So I ventured out on my own, starting Blackburn Drug, and have not looked back.
James, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I grew up in Virginia. I attended Hampden-Sydney College, where I earned a B.S in Chemistry. I moved out west to Jackson, Wyoming, where I worked 3-4 jobs, living in 6 different places (including a window) for a few years as a ski/fish bum. This time in my life motivated me to go back to pharmacy school. After taking the MCATs, LSATs, and PCATs, I decided pharmacy was for me. I went to pharmacy school at VCU @ MCV in Richmond, Virginia. Right after I graduated I moved back to Jackson and started working at Stone Drug, a old school pharmacy with everything inside. I worked there for 10+ years learning a lot, getting to know our town, and gaining the trust of our physicians. I left Stone Drug to start my own compounding pharmacy, Blackburn Drug in order to help all of those in need. I am know for being a problem solver. I create specific medications to treat very specific issues in individuals. I make over 3000 different medications today. I only want the best in myself and from my employees, it’s a part of the Blackburn Drug culture, and only provide what I think is the best for my patients.
I also started a small batch manufacturing company about 5 years ago. I had some people reach out because of my compounding expertise in an effort to make cosmetic products. This project was fun, and got a lot of attention very quickly. Once I started my own pharmacy, people would come in and always complain about dry skin and dry hands. So with my manufacturing experience I started a product line, Golden Soul. I started with an oil free body lotion and an oil free hand cream. These are made with all organic/vegan/cruelty free ingredients, and are wonderful. Because I have a lab, and in the beginning of Blackburn Drug I had time, I started to formulate more and more products. Now I have 8 products in the Golden Soul line, and am launching a Hair and Body line within the next 60 days. I am very excited about this, as it has taken about 18 months of formulating.
I feel that all people like people who give them drugs. But I give people not only prescription medication, but education to empower their own decision making and lifestyle choices. I love our community here in Jackson; even 85 year old people still ski 100 days a year. Everyone wants to be at the top of their physical and mental ability. I help with all of this.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Educating the public as to what a compounding pharmacy is, what we can do, and problems that we can solve. So some type of educational marketing, showing good products, the research done with these products, the risk/benefit line.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I only do my best, and I only want the best from my employees. Our Team, that people grow to know and trust, delivers good products that provide results. Clients then trust us, come back, and tell 10 of their friends who we treat the best as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: blackburndrug.com
- Instagram: @blackburndrug
Image Credits
Sarah Averill