The Braadcast with Ivan Saltzman (S2, Ep7): "How Dis-Chem Changed South African Retail Forever"
Some businesses grow because they follow the market. Others grow because they completely rethink it. When Ivan and Lynette Saltzman opened their first pharmacy in Mondeor in 1978 with just R10,000 in capital, the prevailing view was that pharmacy retail was expensive, conservative and difficult to scale. Ivan saw something different. Customers wanted better pricing, better access and a more personal experience - and he believed pharmacy could become retail in a far bigger sense. What followed was the creation of Dis-Chem Pharmacies, a business that would go on to fundamentally reshape South African pharmacy retail and become one of the most trusted brands in the country. But behind the growth story is something deeper. A founder-led culture, relentless operational discipline and a business built over decades - not quarters. In S2 Ep7 of The Braadcast, Norman Raad sits down with Ivan Saltzman, Co-Founder of Dis-Chem Pharmacies, to explore nearly five decades of entrepreneurship, the art of building trust at scale, what it takes to transition a family business into a listed company and why giving back has always been at the heart of everything Dis-Chem does. This isn't just a conversation about pharmacy or retail. It's about understanding people better than your industry does, building something that outlives its founder and recognising that real success is measured not only by what a business earns - but by the difference it makes in the lives of the people it serves. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader or someone who believes that trust is the most valuable thing a brand can build - this conversation is one you won't want to miss. EPISODE CREDITS: Host: Norman Raad (CEO, Broll Auctions and Sales) Guest: Ivan Saltzman (Co-Founder, Dis-Chem Pharmacies) Podcast Director: Codi Bentley (Multimedia Designer, Broll Auctions and Sales) Series Coordinator: Lesley Saunders (Head of Marketing, Broll Auctions and Sales) Marketing & Distribution: Hayleigh Kolbe (Marketing Assistant, Broll Auctions and Sales) Studio Production: Kevin Fanny (Multimedia, Broll Auctions and Sales)