Montana Apothecary & Compounding (MAC) Success Story

Shelbi Witt, PharmD
Montana Apothecary & Compounding
Great Falls, Montana

Member Since 2021

When Shelbi Witt set out to open her own compounding pharmacy, she knew it had to be done the right way — with intention, heart and a strong foundation. That vision wasn’t hers alone. With support and encouragement from her close-knit family, including husband Ben, she built Montana Apothecary & Compounding (MAC) from the ground up in 2021. From day one, PCCA was part of that journey.

Today, MAC is a growing practice rooted in rural Montana, known for strong provider relationships, measurable patient outcomes and a deeply personal, community-first approach. But the pharmacy didn’t start with a blueprint — it started with a road trip, a business plan and the desire to build something meaningful.=

From Vision To Reality

After pharmacy school, Shelbi worked a series of traditional pharmacy jobs that left her craving a deeper connection to patients. Everything shifted when she stepped away from pharmacy to care for Sam, a young boy undergoing treatment for Ewing sarcoma. That experience reshaped how she saw health care and her role in it — and eventully led her to compounding.

“I realized I didn’t just want to dispense medication,” Shelbi said. “I wanted to show up for people in a way that made them feel seen, heard and genuinely cared for.”

Determined to open her own pharmacy, Shelbi and her dad took a research road trip across the Southwest, visiting a dozen compounding pharmacies. She asked every pharmacy owner she met the same questions: What worked? What didn’t? What would you do differently?

One name kept coming up: PCCA.

Building the Right Foundation

Before filling a single prescription, Shelbi joined PCCA and com pleted both CORE Compounding Training and Designated Person USP Implementation Training. These courses gave her not only technical expertise but also practical guidance in business development, marketing and practice management.

“PCCA introduced me to one of its longtime members, Kevin Borg, and that conversation changed everything,” Shelbi said. “Kevin gave me t wo hours of unfiltered advice — the good, the bad and everything in between. He helped me move from idea to action with confidence.”

But what took her experience to the next level was mentorship and community. With PCCA’s support — and her family behind her — Shelbi officially opened Montana Apothecary & Compounding in 2021.

Support That Scales With You

As MAC has grown, Shelbi has remained connected to the PCCA community. She joined the Concierge Compounding program, where regular peer group calls continuously spark new ideas — including her now- thriving OTC supplement subscription program — and keep her acc ountable as a business owner.

She also leverages the PCCA Speakers Bureau, hosting educational events each year to bring compounding
awareness to local providers and patients.

“PCCA Speakers Bureau events have been a game changer,” she said. “They opened doors with prescribers and helped us build real trust in our community.”

A Culture of Connection

For Shelbi, one of the most meaningful aspects of PCCA membership has been the genuine sense of connection — and the opportunity to pay it forward.

“I’m a mom, a wife and someone who values doing the right thing — even when it’s not the easy thing,” she said. “MAC isn’t just a pharmacy. It’s a space where we care for people the way we’d want to be cared for.”

That mindset has helped her grow not only a successful practice, but a learning environment. MAC now serves as a training ground for pharmacy students and technicians, and Shelbi has personally mentored four aspiring pharmacy owners since opening her doors.

Measureable Growth, Meaningful Impact

In its first year alone, MAC filled more than 3,000 compounded pr escriptions, built strong referral relationships with local providers and developed a loyal patient base that continues to grow. As Shelbi puts it, that kind of momentum wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance, training and community she found through PCCA

“From day one, PCCA Senior Director of Member Relations Erin Michael and the team truly showed up for me — not just with tools and training, but with belief and encouragement,” she said. “That kind of support makes you feel like you’re never doing this alone.”

With Ben by her side, a dedicated team behind her and a mission that keeps evolving, Shelbi has built something special. MAC is thriving — and so is the vision she set out to realize.

Launch Your Pharmacy with Confidence

If you’re thinking about opening a compounding pharmacy — or growing the one you already have — don’t do it alone. Join a partner who can help you build it right from the start.