Taylor Dabney is a final-year PharmD candidate at South College School of Pharmacy and a member of the 2025–2026 APhA–ASP Communications Standing Committee.
Being a student pharmacist can feel like a full-time job. Between lectures, labs, rotations, and exams, it’s easy to think every spare moment has to be spent with a textbook. But over fall break of my second year, I did something a little different. That’s how my small business, The Brim Hat Bar, was born. And honestly, it’s been one of the best things I’ve done for my well-being.
When that break first started, I felt the familiar guilt creeping in: Shouldn’t I be getting ahead on studying? But after some doomscrolling (to avoid inevitable studying) and an idea, I decided to give it a try. What began as a simple hobby quickly turned into something more meaningful, reminding me that there is life and joy outside of school. Designing and making hats gave me a way to recharge, express myself, and step outside the stress bubble of pharmacy school.
Lessons learned seemed familiar
Surprisingly, I realized that running a business, even on a small scale, was teaching me lessons that connected right back to being a future pharmacist. Filling orders and managing my time felt a lot like balancing patients and responsibilities. Communicating with customers wasn’t so different from counseling patients: It’s all about listening, being clear, and following through. Even the problem-solving side of things reminded me of the critical thinking skills I practice every day in class and on rotation. Just like in pharmacy practice, success at The Brim Hat Bar depended on preparation, attention to detail, and genuine care for the people I was serving.
But beyond the practical skills, the biggest gift has been gratitude. Every order felt like a tiny reminder that people believed in me. It gave me confidence and a sense of accomplishment that had nothing to do with exam scores. It also showed me that it’s OK to step back from the rigorous pace of school and invest in joy. The balance between being a student pharmacist and being a person with passions outside of school was exactly what I needed to return to class feeling more present, motivated, and empowered.
Carve out time for yourself
If you’re also navigating pharmacy school, here’s my biggest piece of advice: Don’t be afraid to carve out time for something you love outside of your studies. Whether it’s crafting, fitness, music, or just spending time with people who make you laugh, those moments fuel you. They make you a better student, a healthier person, and eventually, a more balanced professional.
Pharmacy school will always be challenging, but it doesn’t have to define every part of your identity. For me, starting The Brim Hat Bar was more than a creative outlet; it was a reminder that there’s joy in the journey, not just in the destination.