A DOSE of DR. PRINCE
While scrolling briskly through my Facebook newsfeed during my downtime—which is most of the time— key words such as young, black pharmacy entrepreneur went swiftly before my eyes. I immediately scrolled back up, while praying my newsfeed would not refresh itself, and found the interview. In reading this young entrepreneur’s interview, little did I know that I would be intrigued to interview him, too.
Who is this trailblazer? Dr. Prince Martez, Owner of Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center, a man who to some may be unassuming but who does not settle for mediocrity. After reading Dr. Martez’s interview, a few unanswered questions were brewing. The right thing to do was to contact Dr. Prince and ask, right? In Dr. Prince’s interview with II Magazine, he provides us with doses of wisdom, empowerment, and unity. Here’s what the doctor has to say:
//: What makes you exclusive?
Dr. Prince: I would consider myself to be exclusive because I march to the beat of my own drum. I make 
decisions based off the information I research and not just what’s available via social media and other popular outlets. I’ve always been the type that, if you told me I would fail at something, I would make allowance for your doubts while still running full speed ahead without resting. Many people see me, but only a few people truly get to know exactly who I am. It’s impossible to talk or post about it because it’s more something you have to experience.
//: Tell us, when did you have an “ah-ha” moment to become an entrepreneur?
My “ah-ha” moment happened on Saturday afternoon in April of 2015. I can remember that moment so well because it was an out-of-body experience. I was sitting at lunch with one of my best friends and was venting on the frustrations and limitations with my current job. I told her I wanted out, and she then asked me what I was going to do next. In that split moment my mind flipped through about 15 possibilities, but after I thought of each idea, my brain told me why it wouldn’t work. After going through all of those scenarios, I realized I liked components from each job description. I quickly realized that the perfect job didn’t exist, and I would have to create it. The light got brighter, and I heard music from the heavens above. I adjusted my posture and told my friend, “I can’t work for anyone else. I need to start my own pharmacy and practice the way I’ve always dreamed.”
//: How important was it for you to follow your dream?
Dr. Prince: Everyone is born with a dream already inside of them. It’s up to each of us to make that dream a reality; it’s our sole purpose for existing. If you don’t follow your dream, you are destined to leave this earth without fulfilling your one and only true mission.
//: How does your brand differentiate from other pharmaceutical retailors?
Dr. Prince: My brand differs from other pharmacies because we put passion before profits. Our true and sole purpose is wellness. Wellness is important to us; we search for resources to help patients obtain their goals. Our work goes beyond the pharmacy; we bring wellness to the community through our foundation (The Premier Foundation). The Premier Foundation believes everyone is equal and should have access to the same resources. When society restricts others from those resources, we try our best to provide them for those in need.
//: Through your service, what would you like to accomplish?
Dr. Prince: I would like to leave the community with hope and inspiration. I simply want everyone to know there’s nothing special about me, and what I’m doing can be done by anyone. It simply takes using our resources, which in my case was education, to empower our community. I hope I inspire all those who aspire to be something great.
//: As an entrepreneur, explain the importance of valuing time.
Dr. Prince: The Entrepreneur life means your job is never-ending. You are always on duty because you are your brand. I had to understand the old saying “Time is Money”. All of the time you spend outside your business could be used to grow your business’s net worth. If what you’re doing isn’t adding, then you’re subtracting, and we all know that too many subtractions will leave you empty.
//: From a political perspective, our president elect is making strides to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. How will this affect your industry?
Dr. Prince: Repealing healthcare could mean a lot of Americans will lose coverage, which means an increase in unfilled prescriptions. It could also mean that insurance companies’ reimbursement will spike due to less out-of-pocket expenses for them. That could positively impact my business profits; however, success at the downfall of others is inhumane, and I want no part of it.
//: How will the changes impact your customers?
Dr. Prince: The changes could mean a lot of patients will lose access to healthcare coverage. This could leave patients relapsing in their treatment plans. I’ve been working through collaboration with Premium Direct Medical to provide affordable healthcare options for those that are under-insured or that may lose coverage. Premium Direct Medical operates a walk-in clinic inside my pharmacy which we offer Membership Medicine plans, that gives patients unlimited visits and treatments to help keep them on the right track. In addition, we have a formulary in the pharmacy that allows patients to obtain some of the most commonly prescribed medications for less than most drug plans.
//: Have social media and apps become the future of healthcare? Explain.
Dr. Prince: Yes, social media allows for the delivery of important healthcare news and updates quickly. We are also able to educate individuals around the world through their smartphones and iPads. Apps allow patients to place an order and track the progress of their healthcare. As a healthcare provider, they allow us to make better professional decisions when it comes to treatment by being able to access the latest guidelines and also patient records.
//: In regards to social media and apps, how will this infringe on consumer rights and responsibilities?
Dr. Prince: We strive to stay compliant with all apps and social media guidelines content within all guidelines of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA. We NEVER include patient information or anything that will allow a patient to be linked or identified to any content. We will feature a patient via social media with their consent, but even then we never share personal information that violates the patient.
//: Is there a correlation between media and health? Explain. Is there a resolution to bridge the gap between the two industries?
Dr. Prince: Yes, media is one of health’s biggest influences. From the media, we get the picture of health. The media sets and starts all fads. The media has to take responsibility for what it publishes. Once the media starts to consider its content, then we can really share the wellness of others by showing what a real healthy lifestyle is.
//: What strides are your organization taking to promote healthier lifestyles?
Dr. Prince: We are ALL about healthier lifestyles at Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center. We recently hired Dr. Brittney Cobb Dayne as our fitness and nutrition pharmacist. Dr. Dayne is a nationally ranked fitness competitor whose main goal is to help patients live a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise. We also run a blog that publishes content daily to help raise awareness and provide tips, as well as dispel myths.
//: Young, gifted, and black. Do you view yourself and your company as what W. E. B. Du Bois calls the “talented tenth”? Explain.
Dr. Prince: That’s tough for me to answer. Of course I would like to be considered a great and talented leader of my community, but the truth is, I simply see myself and my company as doing what’s right. I think people and companies have put profits over being human. I don’t think it means we are amongst the “Talented Tenth,” but just people who care about others the way God intended and do what’s right.
//: How do you handle adversity?
Dr. Prince: Adversity is best handled with confidence, one challenge at a time. First, you must be confident that “This too shall pass.” Each challenge will only last a short while, so brace yourself and push through. When I’m undergoing adversity I focus on that challenge only; I never lump past and potential future challenges together, since this could lead to a meltdown.
//: What motivates you to be the best?
Dr. Prince: My parents, family, teachers from the past, and my friends! They know who I am, and they know what I’m capable of, so if I let them down, they know I would simply be giving up, and that’s not who I am.
//: Where do you envision your company within the next 10 years?
Dr. Prince: I envision my company being a blueprint for pharmacy practices around the world, where wellness is once again the first priority. I think every community deserves to have a pharmacy that offers the resources that Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center offers.
//: What is your prescription to living healthy and being a successful leader?
Dr. Prince: My prescription would have to be balance. I think it’s necessary to work hard and then play hard. Give yourself the chance to relax, regroup, and return refreshed. I also believe it’s necessary to create a team of other visionaries. I meet with my board of directors at least quarterly, and we all come up with ways to impact the people we serve.
Dr. Prince, thank you for sharing with II Magazine that informing and enlightening others should never be exclusive, but inclusive. To learn more about Dr. Martez Prince and Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center visit http://premierpharmacyandwellness.com/home/4166660
