Business owners strive to excel

More than 20 people from different businesses took part in the March Forth for Excellence at ATC Midwest.

The initiative was started by ATC Midwest general manager Dave Clare in a bid to inspire leaders and rejuvenate and build a better economy for tomorrow, today.

Owner-manager of Tarcoola Pharmacy Joseph Lim took part because he wants to see the local economy prosper.

Mr Lim opened the pharmacy in 2011.

Originally from Brunei in Borneo, Mr Lim moved to Australia in 2002 to study pharmacy.

He moved to Geraldton seven years ago with wife Maria and said they just “love it here”.

Mr Lim said he always wanted to be a pharmacist and falling in love with Geraldton was like a dream come true.

“It’s beautiful, I bought a house (here), I bought a pharmacy, what more could you ask for?” he said.

“We were supposed to only come here for two years, just for a job.

“The beach is only a walk away from home so it’s good, I love it.”

Tarcoola Pharmacy won the micro business award at the 2014 Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Excellence Awards.

Mr Lim has built the pharmacy on solid foundations of good customer service and after care.

He said he hopes people can start trusting pharmacies and turning to them for advice.

“Sometimes in pharmacy, you tend to see a lot of sick people, ” he said.

“Sometimes sick people can be quite unhappy or quite sad, so it’s always good to help them out.

“I thought focusing on customer service, the customers will appreciate it, and I think it’s going quite well.”

Not-for-profit organisation ATC Midwest is the diamond sponsors of the 2015 MWCCI Business Excellence Awards.

Mr Clare reiterated his mantra of excellence being an attitude, not a skill.

He said he was “humbled” to see so many businesses wanting to improve the economy.

“To see so many customers and award-winning businesses willing to march forth with us at such short notice was amazing, ” he said. “The purpose of beginning this march forth is to inspire other businesses to pursue excellence in the Mid West.”

Mr Clare said he’s excited about other local businesses finding ways to succeed in “the new normal” economy.

“We know if we don’t help other businesses find a way to not only survive, but to thrive in this economy, they won’t need what we do, ” he said.

“So we are looking at ways to create and foster growth for local businesses and that starts with a shift in thinking and that thinking is excellence.”

Companies jumping on board for the movement include Prime Property Valuations, Southside Mechanical, Centacare, OurCFO, GCo., Tarcoola Pharmacy, Herks Panel & Paint, S&K Electrical, Fleur High Tea, Loan Market, Total Toilets, Glass Co, Novus Auto Glass and ATC Midwest.