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Why I Own a Business in Robertson County, TN

Learn from a local entrepreneur about the great benefits of running a business in this county north of Nashville.

By Lindsey Hyde on May 3, 2023

South Side Drug Co. in Springfield, TN
South Side Drug Co.

Close enough to Nashville’s big-city lights, but far enough away from the hustle and bustle, Robertson County is the perfect place to live and lead a successful career.

In addition to having a wealth of quality-of-life amenities at their fingertips, business owners benefit from a lower cost of living and community organizations always ready to lend a helping hand.

Ian Bradley is a co-owner and pharmacist at South Side Drug Co. in Springfield, TN.
South Side Drug Co.

Ian Bradley

Ian Bradley is the a co-owner and pharmacist at South Side Drug Co. in Springfield. While the business has been part of the community for over 100 years, Bradley and his business partner, Drew Sloan, took partial and then full ownership of the store over the last few years. Both were staff pharmacists before they became owners.

Livability chatted with Bradley about why he chooses to live and work in Robertson County, which is located on the northern edge of Middle Tennessee:

What made you want to take over South Side Drug?
It’s always been a passion of mine to own a drugstore. The talk of the day at the pharmacy is the big lottery ticket thing, and to me, like if somebody told me 10 years ago, “You can have this winning lottery ticket or own a drugstore,” I want the drugstore.

How have you and Drew changed South Side Drug?
We had a soda fountain back in the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. It closed here about 1970, but we brought it back with a healthier, fun twist. Trying to bring more local things into the pharmacy was a big deal to us, too. We really wanted to double down on stuff that you can’t get anywhere else (like Springfield High School merchandise). The most recent thing we are getting into is more compounding, so personalized medicine – things made specifically for you that are not manufactured by Big Pharma.

What resources are available in Robertson County for business owners?
If you’re not a member of the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, you are wasting your time. I feel like it’s the best bang for your buck you can do. They just go out of their way to promote you and your business, and they’re a great resource. If I ever need anything, like if my roof blew off, I always call the chamber and say, “Who’s your best roof guy?” They get me an answer right away.

What’s one piece of advice you would give an entrepreneur?
Be your own advocate or cheerleader. I feel like that sounds a little cliché, but people don’t know what you know, so you constantly have to remind them that this is what you do, this is why you do it, this is the value you bring and this is why your product or service is better than the rest.

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