The indomitable Myrtis Boothe - Frank, fearless and formidable

When a woman at age 52 starts a company in a market with competitors already having several decades head start on her, that is the epitome of gutsiness. Myrtis Boothe did just that right after leaving her job after 11 years.

She began her distinguished career as a nurse at the former George V. Sanitorium, now National Chest Hospital, known for its treatment of respiratory illnesses, after training in midwifery at Victoria Jubilee Hospital. She then completed several courses over the years, including critical care nursing and health sciences education.

Necessary qualifications

From her many government and internationally funded fellowships, her knowledge and competence increased, arming her with the qualifications necessary to lead others in the profession.

“I went to National Chest Hospital in 1970 and did many of my courses while there,” Boothe said, adding that she, too, was bitten by the foreign work bug, but only for a year. “I did not like it, so I returned home and joined Cari-Med, where I learnt so much that it set me on a path to where I am now,” she said.

Boothe entered the pharmaceutical industry when Cari-Med Limited was only two years old. She started as one of two sales reps for the island and left after 11 years, having used her nursing background to establish the medical/caring side of the business.

“I learnt a lot from Cari-Med’s founder, Glen Christian. He knows and is serious about the business, and I was a good student who has morphed into one of his good competitors. I now do co-distribution with him. We parted as friends, and remain so till today.” Boothe said.

MDS, which began as a family-owned business, has come a long way and is now listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The business, now segmented into three divisions – Medical, Pharmaceutical and Consumer – is a co-distributor with Cari-Med for some of its pharmaceutical product lines and is the local representative of Denk Pharma and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories pharmaceuticals. MDS’ impressive medical inventory includes: gloves, needles, syringes, cotton, gauze, masks, overshoes, diapers, bed rolls, and other items used in the healthcare sector.

In 2000, when she began the company, Boothe was the sole employee working from her study at home and using her car to deliver goods. She wore all the hats - sales rep, buyer, merchandiser, accountant, and more.

“I knew it was not ideal, but I had to start somewhere then build upwards. However, shortly thereafter, I realised that the movement in and out of my house needed to stop, so I began to look for an affordable spot,” she said.

The search also included finding additional help besides her son, who pitched in during his holidays from college. Young Kurt Boothe, who is now the company’s general manager, accompanied his mom on the road, watched and learnt the business, while gaining additional knowledge as he studied for his finance and entrepreneurship degrees.

With one additional employee, the business moved from home to 18 Westminster Road, a bigger space from which they operated. But following a termite attack which destroyed her inventory, Boothe moved in 2001, to The Domes Business Complex along Hagley Park Road where she remained until she found her permanent space at 83 Hagley Park Road.

“I still own the three units at The Domes, having been taught by my mother that it is always best to own where you live or do business. Those units are now used as extra storage, but our present location is more than 26,000 square feet of space,” she said.

The staff count is now more than 75, inclusive of drug sales representatives who service the company’s islandwide customer base. The future will be decided largely by her children and their children, but Boothe, who felt an innate desire to become a nurse, still regards her work as offering care at another level.

“I started this business out of a need for employment. I knew only two things: nursing and the pharmaceutical industry, where I had worked for 11 years prior to then. I saw the need for my service and with my face already being known in the industry, it looked feasible, so I decided to start my business,” she said.

Boothe was not daunted by the volume of work ahead so she took the challenge and, having done so, 20 years later, she knows she made the right decision. Her daughter, Nikeisha Boothe, joined the team after having gained valuable experience in the field of marketing and advertising.

Boothe considers herself lucky to be at the helm of her company in an environment where female leaders come under fire for issues that would earn no ridicule for men. She knows that women have to be strong, determined, certain of what they want, and not be easily led.

“By strong, I mean mentally and physically strong. I will fight for what I believe in and what I want and deserve without stepping on anyone. I am going for it and you are not going to take it from me. This comes from my upbringing,” said the gutsy lady who knew from age five that she would have to be strong.

Her dad had died leaving her mom with two infants and she saw her mother struggle to fill the gap.

“I saw my mother run up and down the street bawling because she did not know what the future held. She had to make quick decisions about our future which included moving into the unfinished board house dad had started in order to stop paying rent,” she said.

“I have carried that survival instinct ever since, so I was well prepared for all the battles of business. I am fearless and frank. I became defensive and protective of my younger brother, even if it meant fighting. Where business and management are concerned, I like cooperation and harmony, but there are certain standards that must be maintained. I respect you but I am not afraid,” Boothe asserted.

It’s now five years since MDS was listed on the Junior Stock Exchange, and there is a management team in place to run things, but Boothe still keeps tabs on all aspects of the company she has nurtured from birth. In fact, she has been accused of micro-managing things but is quite okay with that, emphasising how important it is to be on top of things.

For women who are entering business, she said they should first understand what they are going into and be a part of it.

“You cannot control it remotely. You cannot be stuck in a glass cage with the business below you. Take advice from those more knowledgeable than you, but you must know what’s good for your business and what’s happening in it, know when the numbers don’t add up and be prepared to work hard, have sleepless nights, shed tears, feel like giving up, but finally draw on your inner strength.”

Having come so far, in the next 20 years, Boothe sees herself transitioning out of MDS so she is now putting in place a sound succession plan, although total retirement is not on the cards. She envisions more work, more expansion and being able to help those who aided their growth. There are no limits as to where they can go.