From Penniless Refugee to Pharmacy King

After surviving the Holocaust and spending a couple of years in DP (displaced people) camp in Europe, Jack Gance’s parents arrived in Australia. He still remembers a small and narrow apartment in East Brunswick, where they lived.

Speaking at Chabad Melbourne CD, Jack told his story of success at a farbrengen attended by anash and others from the local Jewish community.

After completing high school he was accepted to study Medicine, but did not want to spend seven years in University. With an interest in science a pharmacy course was the logical choice!

After working in his own chemist business, he began selling popular items, like sun-glasses, to other chemists. This enabled him to develop good relationships with them. Bringing new brands, like Le Specs and Australis Cosmetics, came as a logical step to move forward.

It was the foundation of the success of the Chemist Warehouse network, 213 shops around Australia!

In his presentation, Jack Gance stressed the importance of good relationships and rapport with his partners and suppliers. He also said that many people are able to come up with the same good business idea, but to succeed one needs to have an “advantage point” which can be implemented in a business model!”