Women in Rx Customer Spotlight - Helen Ianniello: Stockmen's Drug
McKesson and RxOwnership
2024
We are thrilled to announce that Helen Ianniello of Stockmen's Drug has been featured in the Women in Rx Customer Spotlight! This recognition highlights Helen’s dedication and passion in serving her community through exceptional pharmacy care. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this achievement and showcase the incredible impact she continues to make at Stockmen's Drug.
Stockmen’s Drug takes home top prize of $20,000 from SCORE’s virtual 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition
By Scott Bidroski, Sheridan County Journal Star
Sept. 20, 2024
Stockmen’s Drug owner Helen Ianniello did not give herself much a chance to win. After all, it was a nationwide competition and there would be so many better ideas.
But a last minute change of heart and conversation with a friend propelled her forward and gave her the last bit of motivation to enter the contest.
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This past week that decision paid off in a big way; $20,000 big.
Ianniello, along with her staff at Stockmen’s Drug in Gordon, took home the top prize from the SCORE virtual 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition.
Ianniello is a member of SCORE, which stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives, and has been utilizing their services to help her grow her Gordon Main Street business.
When the contest was brought to her attention, she waffled at the idea of filling out the application.
Ianniello dream was to use the contest monies for a Mobile Vaccine Program. This is an idea herself and Stockmen’s Drug Pharmacist Mike Cookston have been working on for some time.
“For a month, I kept logging and then would think we would not get it, so I would log out. I kept doing that for an entire month,” said Ianniello.
“On the final day though, I figured I had nothing to lose, so I went for it. I met with my good friend Valerie Beel and she helped me with the application. I submitted and then found out later that week we had made the next stage,” she added.
Ianniello did not have much time to relish in her advancement as a 2-3 minute video pitch was due in just 3 days.
Her and her staff put that together and she advanced once again.
Now the pressure was even higher as she had to deliver a live pitch to 4-5 judges for all the marbles.
For this round, there were only 20 individuals remaining from original 2,200 entires.
“I’ve never done public speaking and I do not want to get in front of people to talk,” she said.
But she did it and following the pitch, an emotional release was needed.
Her staff got to watch in live for the pitch and they met her after with praise of how well she delivered.
Stockmen’s was told that an email would be sent the following morning if they were chosen as one of the winners. So when 12:00 p.m. came around the following day, Ianniello figured that they had not be chosen.
But just 15 minutes later, she received an email stating they were in the top 3 and needed to be prepared for a live presentation of the winner in just an hour.
Ianniello settled in at her computer to await the final verdict.
“When they announced the third place winner and then the second place winner, I did not even realize that we were the final one left. My emotions were running so high. When I saw our name on the screen, I was like, oh my goodness, that’s me!” said Ianniello.
“I was excited about Helen winning and the opportunity to start a new program that no one in the area has done before,” said Cookston.
“Helen put a lot of work into it, she had some help from us in the background, but it was her idea. She has worked really hard to get it done and we are very proud of her,” he added.
So now the work begins.
Stockmen’s Drug will be using the proceeds from the contest to jump start their Mobile Vaccine Program.
The main goal of the program is provide access to businesses and individuals to receive vaccines at home or work.
“With this program, we can go into local businesses and vaccinate staff, we can go to schools, and we can go directly to people’s homes and vaccinate them on site so they do not have to worry about transportation,” said Ianniello.
Ianniello is a Registered Nurse which adds a wrinkle to this idea that can push it into success.
With her qualifications, a Pharmacist is not needed for the vaccine. That keeps Cookston at the Pharmacy while Ianniello can distribute vaccinations to those in need.
To begin with there will be five vaccines available through the program; RSV, COVID, Flu, Tetanus, and Shingles.
There is a lot of work still going on behind the scenes but Ianniello is hopeful that the program can be up and running by November.
Call Stockmen’s Drug and ask to speak with Helen about the Mobile Vaccine program if you are interested in learning more.
Stockmen’s Drug: Transforming Community Healthcare
My successes.
Helen has achieved significant successes with the help of SCORE, including renewing the company's entire staffing and pharmacy systems, opening a second location, building and technology updates, increased revenue threefold, and brokered a successful 340B collaboration with the local hospital.
SCORE Announces Winners of its Small Business Virtual Pitch Competition
By SCORE,
Sept. 20, 2024
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SCORE, the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, announced the winners of its virtual 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition. Held Sept. 17-19, the virtual competition was one of a series of five being held nationwide marking SCORE's milestone anniversary. These events provide an avenue for entrepreneurs to showcase their presentation and selling skills to industry experts, win funding and gain valuable knowledge and mentorship, all at no cost. More than 2,200 small business owners applied to participate.
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The three winning businesses in the virtual pitch event are:
- First Place:
Helen Ianniello – Stockmen's Drug (Gordon, NE)
Stockmen's Drug is an independent pharmacy in rural Nebraska that has expanded its services significantly since Helen Ianniello's acquisition. A registered nurse rather than a pharmacist, Helen has revitalized the pharmacy by implementing new systems and procedures, expanding its service area, and offering innovative services such as telepharmacy and a mobile vaccine clinic. The pharmacy also caters to long term care facilities and collaborates with local hospitals to provide essential services. Helen earned the top prize of $20,000 and plans to use the prize to fund a mobile vaccine clinic for underserved and homebound individuals. - Second Place:
Christina VanDam – Zeal Aerial Fitness (Grand Rapids, MI)
Zeal Aerial Fitness offers a range of aerial and alternative fitness classes for adults and children, including aerial silks, hoop, pole, hammock and bungee. The studio also hosts private events such as birthday and bachelorette parties. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, Zeal aims to make aerial fitness accessible and welcoming, promoting physical and personal growth through its diverse offerings. Christina earned $10,000 for her pitch, which she plans to use to purchase additional equipment for Zeal's new location, allowing for more participants and expanded class offerings. - Third Place:
Vanessa Sanchez – bonnee | the clothing swap app (Miami Beach, FL)
bonnee is a mobile app designed to facilitate the swapping of clothing, vintage items and accessories. Launched in January 2024, bonnee provides a user-friendly platform for individuals to swap items by earning credits for items they post. The app aims to address the environmental impact of the fashion industry by promoting sustainable fashion practices through easy and accessible swaps. Vanessa received $5,000 for her pitch. She plans to invest the prize money in social media marketing, influencer collaborations and enhanced app development to grow her user community, expand into new user segments and scale operations.
"Congratulations to the winners of our virtual 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition," said SCORE CEO Bridget Weston. "These remarkable entrepreneurs exemplify the innovation, dedication and perseverance needed to turn small business dreams into reality. We're honored to have supported them with mentorship and resources, continuing the legacy of helping more than 17 million entrepreneurs over the past six decades."
As part of the pitch competition, contestants were matched with one of SCORE's free, expert business mentors to guide them to prepare and deliver a compelling pitch.
Judging criteria included the effectiveness of the presentation, brand identification, uniqueness and viability of the product or service, the thoroughness of the business plan, scalability and any sustainability or social impact. Financials were also assessed on overall potential.
Shellie Peters, Head of Benefits and Charitable Giving at Global Atlantic, said, "We are pleased to congratulate the winners and finalists of SCORE's virtual pitch competition. As the premier sponsor of this 60th anniversary event, Global Atlantic is committed to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and providing the necessary tools for small businesses to thrive."
Finalists from the virtual pitch competition also included:
- Monica Cody – Farmstead 1868 (Cazenovia, NY)
- Amanda and Collin Horan – Line + Cleat (Glen Ellyn, IL)
- Anwelli Okpue – Wani Cakes LLC (Dearborn, MI)
- Katie Roering – Fontana Candle Company, LLC (Lancaster, PA)
- Amber Waldeier – Zipplicity Un-Luggage (Lancaster, PA)
- Victoria Freeman – Ironmatik LLC (Liberty, MO)
- Yemisi Anderson – The JAY Effect (Carbondale, IL)
- Malgorzata (Mal) Klesna-Blat – Wicked Fruitful, LLC (Upton, MA)
- Kimberly St Clair – MyDocDash (Saint Louis, MO)
- Tania Kottoor – WEST X EAST (Brooklyn, NY)
- Michael Heisman - Tansect (Appleton, WI)
- Zakayla Riley – Pawpin' Pawz Luxury Mobile Grooming (Cincinnati, OH)
- Jannea Wolff – Reclaiming Our Wellness (Miramar, FL)
- Tanya Shadley – TRS Kids Foundation (Virginia Beach, VA)
- Eden-Reneé Hayes – Pluralism Solutions (Wayland, MA)
- Mandi Hawke – Proud Empowerment Business Solutions (Boynton Beach, FL)
- Katherine Osborn – Nowhere Collective (Chicago, IL)
For more information about SCORE's virtual pitch event, click here for the full press kit. To view the virtual competition recording online, visit SCORE's recorded webinar library.
In addition to the virtual competition, regional contest locations include Philadelphia (Aug. 28), Des Moines (Sept. 12), Los Angeles (Sept. 26) and Houston (Oct. 3). To learn more or register to attend upcoming events, visit the 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition page on SCORE.org.
To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit score.org.
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at www.score.org.
Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Media Contact
To schedule interviews with winners of SCORE's virtual 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition, finalists, mentors or representatives from SCORE, please contact Maria Coder, 954-379-2115, teamscore@redbanyan.com.
Welcome to McKesson ideaShare
By Brian Nowosielski,
June. 25, 2024
Drug Topics: Hello! And welcome to our ongoing coverage of McKesson ideaShare 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. McKesson ideaShare is the nation’s premier community pharmacy destination, and that sentiment is certainly reinforced by all the exciting activities and programs McKesson has planned for this year’s event.
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Focusing on the theme of community resiliency in the city of New Orleans, the McKesson ideaShare exhibit floor, which is modeled with the elements of every hometown, captures the meeting’s theme perfectly. Highlighting specific areas of pharmacy ownership including profitability, front-end and clinical solutions, health equity initiatives, and supply chain, even the general layout of the exhibit floor speaks to the importance of community for independent pharmacists.
One of the exhibit floor highlights includes McKesson’s very own private brand of OTC products, Foster & Thrive. Launched at last year’s McKesson ideaShare meeting, Foster & Thrive has seen notable growth in its first year and was excited to announce a new line of eco-friendly products made of 70% less plastic and are highly recyclable.
Two other key highlights of McKesson ideaShare’s impressive exhibit hall is the new Health Mart Marketing Edge and 150+ non-McKesson exhibitors. Through Health Mart Marketing Edge, stores can access up to $2,400 a year in matching funds to boost their local marketing efforts. It offers a number of programs like turn-key marketing campaigns, search and digital campaigns for customer targeting, 60 plus online directory opportunities, branded merchandise and local event support. Beyond McKesson solutions, attendees can discover solutions from more than 150 exhibitors, offering innovative tools and resources to add to their business. Don’t forget to stop by and visit Drug Topics at booth 304.
At the General Opening Session, titled “Igniting and Inspiring Independents,” held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Great Hall, the host of the evening—Grammy-nominated jazz musician Dr. Brice Miller—kicked things off by introducing McKesson’s President of Strategic, Community, and Specialized Pharmacy, Scott Miller. The opening session was an exciting welcome to attendees of this year’s meeting, providing an interactive preview of what’s to come.
The kick-off activity at this year’s opening session asked attendees how they want to feel when leaving McKesson ideaShare; the most the common answer was that attendees were hoping to feel “empowered.” Miller then dove into some inspiring stories about successful independent pharmacies who have worked with McKesson. One of those stories was Stockmen’s Drug in Gordon, Nebraska, and its inspiring owner Helen Ianello.
The opening session also featured Jeanine Singer, Senior Vice President of National and Key Accounts & Field Sales, and Crystal Lennartz, President of Health Mart and Health Mart Atlas. The trio of opening session presenters helped welcome one of the most anticipated highlights of McKesson ideaShare: the nominees for the 2024 Health Mart Pharmacy of the Year.
The Health Mart Pharmacy of the Year is awarded to independent pharmacies with clinical and business excellence that go above and beyond to serve their respective communities and further the pharmacy practice. This year’s nominees include Dreier Pharmacy of Shawano, Wisconsin; Creswell Health Mart Pharmacy of Creswell, Oregon; and Hayden Pharmacy of Hayden, Alabama. Meeting attendees are voting for this year’s Pharmacy of the Year winner and the honoree will be announced on the final day of the conference.
With so many insightful sessions throughout the week—from Pharma Talks covering revenue generation and immunization to numerous continuing education sessions—McKesson ideaShare 2024 gives attendees an authentic picture of what independent pharmacy is really about, and that’s community.
So stick with Drug Topics through June 26th for our ongoing coverage of McKesson ideaShare live from New Orleans. Thanks for tuning in, and get ready for the exciting stories and sessions presented at this year’s ever-anticipated meeting.
Entrepreneurs Keep Starting Businesses. Here’s What’s Driving Them
By Rosalie Murphy,
Jan. 17, 2025
U.S. entrepreneurs formed a record 4.38 million new businesses in 2020, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
That total has been topped every year since, including in just the first 11 months of 2024.
In the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic, urgent factors like job losses helped spur business formation. That motivation, along with the desire to increase one's income, remains for some people. Others are searching for increased flexibility and autonomy, a 2024 NerdWallet survey found.
If you share those hopes, here’s what you need to know about starting a business in 2025.
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If you want to increase your income
Around 50% of entrepreneurs said they started businesses because they wanted to increase their incomes, according to that NerdWallet survey of 425 current small-business owners conducted online by Harris Poll in October 2024.
“If you look at the data from the last two years, the one constant has been higher prices for everything,” says Thomas M. Sullivan, vice president of small-business policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “There is a certain element of necessity entrepreneurship that’s going on in the economy” — people starting businesses because a traditional job isn’t cutting it financially.
Most businesses don’t generate profit right away. If you’re relying on your business to pay your bills, you’ll need to stay laser focused on your finances — first on controlling your startup costs, and then on generating revenue quickly.
The shock of COVID-19 made entrepreneurs much more serious about balancing their books, Sullivan says.
“The difference is the attention to the balance sheet,” Sullivan says. “I have never met as many small-business owners who know, to dollars and cents, inventory numbers in a week.”
If you want to monetize a side hustle
Slightly more than a third of business owners said they turned an enjoyable hobby (34%) or successful side hustle (34%) into their current small business, according to that NerdWallet survey.
Kristy Cruz, owner of The Succulent Studio in Olympia, Wash., turned a hobby — arranging succulents — into a business in 2023, after her military family relocated and her teaching certification didn’t transfer across state lines.
Today, The Succulent Studio sells arrangements and hosts public and private workshops. Cruz dreams of opening a storefront where she can display inventory, teach lessons and host parties.
While growing the business, however, Cruz still works a full-time job. If you also want to transition a side gig into a full-time business, keeping another job temporarily can be a wise move to help maintain your financial security. But keep in mind that balancing the two can be exhausting.
“Until I became a small-business owner, I did not realize how much it takes and that you're basically on the grind all the time,” Cruz says.
If you want to control your schedule
Despite the “grind” Cruz describes, the second-most popular reason for starting a business was a desire to manage one’s own hours, according to NerdWallet’s data.
Flexibility is especially important to parents and caretakers: A 2024 survey from BambooHR found that 75% of parents and caretakers who prefer remote work say it’s because of work-life balance, compared to 66% of non-caretakers.
Shelly Allhands, a nonprofit communications professional in the Seattle area, was laid off in 2022. She had a child a few months later.
After that, “my priorities changed,” Allhands says. Instead of another full-time job, she started doing contract work and then founded her own company, Evergreen Communications.
It’s proven to be “the best balance of, I get to do what I love to do, but I still get to take my daughter to the zoo," she says.
Owning your business can allow you to grow or scale back in accordance with caregiving needs. Just make sure you keep up with your business’s changing needs during that process, too.
For instance, Allhands says she's had to level up her software as her business became more formal: “The free solutions are great until they’re not.”
Seek support as you adapt to entrepreneurship
Your plan may be to start a business in 2025, but ideally it will last much longer than that. As your company and your motivations evolve, be prepared to change with them.
Helen Ianniello was working as a travel nurse in rural Nebraska and South Dakota when the pharmacy in her rural community (Stockmen’s Drug in Gordon, Neb.) faced closure. To keep it alive, she bought it.
Ianniello didn’t start the business, but she’s embraced entrepreneurship over the last two years.
“I decided a long time ago that my ‘go for it’ voice is going to be what I listen to,” Ianniello says.
NerdWallet’s 2024 survey suggests that working significantly more than full time in your own business is not uncommon — 19% of business owners said they spent 50 hours or more in their business.
Still, 70% of current small-business owners said they never want to work in a traditional job again.
“I am working more and I took a huge pay cut,” Ianniello says. But with help from a mentor, she's been able to reduce her hours; she encourages other business owners to seek out that kind of support.
Since Ianniello’s acquisitio, she says Stockmen's Drug has grown significantly. The size of the staff has more than doubled, they’ve taken over services at nursing homes and launched a satellite pharmacy, and on average, they write at least 100 more scripts per day than they used to.
In 2024, Stockmen’s Drug won the $20,000 first prize in a virtual pitch event from SCORE, a national business mentoring organization.
“The impact that we’re able to have on all the other surrounding communities — it’s made all the struggles worth it,” Ianniello says.
