Page 9 - GTA South BU Q2 Newsletter

New Associate Spotlight SDM1382 - Ashu Randhawa
How long have you been with the business? What roles have you had?
I’ve been with the business for 10 years. My earliest role was as a volunteer at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Woodbridge simply operating the cash register. During quiet shifts, the pharmacy assistants would teach me about the pharmacy, and eventually I started working as an assistant alongside them. I liked the job and team dynamic enough that I decided to become a pharmacist.
Thanks to the help of some great role models in the years after, I was able to develop myself further and become an Associate Owner.
Where do you live and work?
I live in Woodbridge, Ontario. I’m currently working in Scarborough, Ontario at Shoppers Drug Mart #1382 as the Associate Owner.
Can you tell us a bit about your family, including any pets?
I have an older brother and sister, making me the youngest of three siblings. My sister works as a teacher and my brother is an Associate in Caledonia, Ontario. Interestingly enough, while our stores are over 100km apart, we actually have consecutive store numbers! I operate SDM #1382 and my brother operates SDM #1383.
Pharmacy seems to run in the family. My sister used to work as a pharmacy assistant and taught me a lot of what I know today. My father got accepted into pharmacy school decades ago when he immigrated to Canada, though he passed up the opportunity to instead work in a family business.
What's a little-known/interesting fact about yourself?
I was actually born in Montreal. My family lived there for several years before we came to Ontario. While I left at an early age, I think spending my formative years there gave me a secret advantage in French class.
What’s your favourite thing about being an Associate?
The interactions I have with other Associates in our district. They’re fun people to talk to, and a lot of them have interesting stories and experiences from all of their years in our field. The in-person PEERS and Town Hall meetings are currently on hold, but they were an absolute blast to attend.
Who’s your mentor – and what have they taught you?
I’ve had a lot of amazing mentors over the years, but if I had to pick the one who had the biggest impact on me it would hands-down be Gaurav Ratti from SDM #897. He helped refine a lot of the hard skills that I know today, such as technical mastery of SDM systems. Far more importantly, he taught me the soft skills of leadership in the best possible way: leading by example. Gaurav does everything alongside his team, and he has an incredible positive energy around him. It’s easy to smile and laugh anytime he’s around. We also have a lot of common interests from fitness to entertainment, so there’s always something to talk about.
We’re in different stores so he’s not my boss anymore, but he’s still an amazing person and someone I’m proud to call a friend. I can only hope to be half the mentor to someone else as he was to me.
What’s your guilty pleasure, nerdiest hobby or strangest talent?
My nerdiest hobby would probably be building computers. The last one I built was over a year ago for my brother. I’ve got a ton of parts stored away that should make my next project a lot smoother and technology is always improving, so I’m looking forward to it!
What’s the last thing you got for free with PC Optimum points?
Whey isolate protein powder! It’s been hard staying active with gyms closed, but I’m adapting.
What PC or Life brand product do you almost always have on hand, at home or work?
Life Brand Vitamin D 1000IU. I know I don’t get enough sunlight, so I have bottles everywhere.
What movie have you seen so many times that you can quote it verbatim – and what’s your favourite quote?
I’d give it to The Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring. My favourite line would be: “It’s the job that’s never started that takes longest to
f inish.”