The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

When Hilary Krass graduated from Turner High School in 1997, she knew she wanted a career in a health related field, so she declared a major in biology when she registered at MSU-Northern that fall. In 2001, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

Because she always remembered the words of Frank Orlando-her pharmacist growing up-who told her that pharmacy was a promising field for young women, Krass enrolled in North Dakota State University's pharmacy program. "I didn't want to be a nurse and get my hands dirty," Richman said; "So with the words of my childhood pharmacist in my head, I set out on that health care career path."

After being away from family for a year and realizing her life circumstances had changed, she transferred back to Montana to complete her degree at the University of Montana's Skaggs School of Pharmacy. Krass earned her PharmD in 2005 and also married Tim Richman that same year. "2005 was a big year for me," she laughed.

Now, Hilary Richman, she returned to Chinook Pharmacy to work as a pharmacist for Kelcey and Nancy Diemert. "I was familiar with them and their drug store because that's where I did my clinical rotation and worked as a pharmacy technician until I received my license," Richman said.

When the Diemerts purchased the Milk River Pharmacy in 2008, they asked Richman to take the lead with that store located at 42465 US-2 near Harlem. In January 2018, she bought the business from them. "I always had the dream of owning my own place one day, and Kelcey helped to make that happen," Richman said.

As a pharmacist, Richman has to focus not only on the practice of pharmacy, including dispensing medication and counseling patients, but on business principles. Pharmacists are often responsible for managing a staff of technicians and since she owns her own pharmacy, knowledge in accounting, merchandising, and legal issues can be useful.

In addition to providing prescription services and the typical medical supplies and health care products available in a drug store, Milk River Pharmacy carries cosmetics, candy, helium balloons, cards, stuffed animals, candy bouquets, wax melt warmers, jewelry, gifts, and more.

"We're also an espresso bar," Richman added. "Someday, I'd like to add some pastries, but offering bakery items takes more space and an expansion plan. It's more of a dream at this point, but who knows? Maybe we will become a one-stop shop; well, minus the groceries, of course. We might be the Walgreens of Harlem!"

So far, business ownership has agreed with Richman who was familiar with filling prescriptions and serving customers prior to owning Milk River Pharmacy but found the bookkeeping to involve a gradual learning curve. "I didn't realize how much licensing it takes to establish insurance contracts. Developing relationships and contracting with insurance companies has posed the greatest challenge," she stated.

Because patient care is at the center of pharmacy practice, Richman considers helping people to be the most rewarding aspect of her business. Working with satisfied customers has helped to affirm her work and to give her confidence.

"I'm also really fortunate to have Rani Baker as an employee. As a loyal and hardworking individual who is hardly ever gone, Rani is a pharmacy technician that I can rely on."

Baker is a 2006 graduate of Chinook High School. Her mother, Barb Kolar, is a retired school nurse who worked for several years at Harlem Elementary.

When asked what advice she might offer to others considering business ownership, Richman hesitated before saying, "Don't follow someone else's dream or plan. Do for yourself. Don't settle for being in someone else's shadow."

She also advised budding entrepreneurs to be patient and to work hard. "Business ownership doesn't happen overnight," she said. "I'm really grateful to the Diemerts for helping teach me the ropes."

When she's not busy providing a service to Blaine County residents, Richman enjoys baking, gardening, sewing, and spending time with her children Hannah, age 12, and Natalie, age 9.

"At the moment, I'm a busy 4-H Mama. Between my two daughters, they have a horse, chickens, bunnies, market lambs and market hogs. We've also adopted some bum lambs, so if I find some free time, I'm out in the barn! But I love it. I also help out at my folks' place in Hogeland whenever I can get away," Richman reported.