After taking some time to chat with entrepreneur Robyn Sneath, an old saying immediately came to mind…don’t let the grass grow under one’s feet. For those that don’t know, it means to act now or without delay. In other words, don’t wait for the grass to grow under your feet before doing something. With the Sneath family, there’s definitely no chance of any grass growing under their feet!  Robyn and her husband Dr. Jason Sneath are relatively new to the city of Brandon, but with a keen sense for business ventures and their interest in historical buildings they’ve quickly become well known within the city.  They currently own SKIN Clinics, Fraser Sneath Coffee and Sneath Projects, a small construction firm that helps them to manage and renovate the properties that they own within Brandon, primarily located in the downtown area. The couple has seven properties in Brandon, one in Winnipeg, as well as one in Regina where they are in the process of opening a second SKIN Clinics location.  They are currently focusing their efforts on renovating the historic Bass Building at 29-10th Street in downtown Brandon. With 30,000 square feet, they already have 75 per cent of the building leased. This space will house a variety of tenants that are a combination of retail, commercial and service-based businesses including Chez Angela Bakery and Café, Mint Magazine/Studio 78, Muse Boutique & Bridal Studio, Charleston and Harlow Candle Co., as well as Rheanon Neale Photography.  “With the other leases that we’ve signed, and including our own, we’ve recruited 12 businesses to downtown Brandon. So we’re very excited and proud of that. It’s not just something that we’re doing, others are being inspired by what they are seeing happening in downtown and want to be a part of it as well,” said Robyn.  As they toil away on the renovations, the first of the local businesses will open at the10th Street location this March and they hope to have the entire project complete in one year from now.  And, as the construction crew works hard to complete the 10th Street property, the couple is finalizing plans to expand SKIN Clinics on Rosser Avenue. Renovations on the upper level of the building will begin when the current renovation project is done. The expansion of the clinic includes adding a full-service, luxury day spa. “I’m always thinking of ways to promote Brandon and looking for things that I would like to see more of. We’re great at hosting events and conferences, but what we need more of is year-round tourist attractions, things that will draw more people here. The café has been a big part of that and the new spa will complement what we’re already trying to do with our other buildings and other projects. SKIN Clinics is bursting at the seams, so they definitely need to expand,” said Robyn. “We’re just one small piece of this big puzzle though. As more people start to see the potential in downtown and think about moving things down here, the more that everyone benefits.”

Brandon University’s Healthy Living Centre is the new home to a Dynamic Physiotherapy clinic, which will deliver physiotherapy services five days a week in its convenient second location. “Dynamic Physiotherapy is excited to be adding the second location to our growing physiotherapy practice in Brandon University’s Healthy Living Centre,” said Dynamic’s Darryl Ross. “BU is an important pillar within the city and it is a privilege to be able bring our brand and services to the institution.” The clinic is an expansion for Dynamic, which maintains its original location on Richmond avenue. The additional location is a great fit for Brandon University and for the Healthy Living Centre. “Many people know the Healthy Living Centre for our Bobcats events, our fitness centre, and our all-weather walking track,” said Russ Paddock, BU’s Director of Athletics and Community Engagement. “Fitness and healthy living are also about enjoying a full range of functional motion and restoring any impairment, which makes Dynamic Physiotherapy a perfect partner for Brandon University. The new clinic offers a full range of physiotherapy services, helping with a range of conditions, including sprains, strains, degenerative conditions, whiplash disorders, tendinitis, neck and back pain, post-surgical rehab, post-fracture rehabilitation, custom exercise programs, and vestibular disorders (dizziness/balance problems). “For university students, there are lot of posture-related strains from stress, from studying or even from sitting in classes,” Ross said. “It is also common to see a lot of repetitive strain problems with musicians related to the number of hours they practice.” Students may need a doctor’s referral; however some physiotherapy can be covered through the student health plan. Dynamic’s new clinic is also open to all members of the public, and boasts convenient parking and easy access just off of Victoria Avenue, not far from 18th Street. The best access is the south side of the Healthy Living Centre, with a direct entrance to the clinic and ample parking in the university’s Lot No. 10. Drivers can access the lot from Victoria Avenue, just behind the Glen P. Sutherland Gallery of Art. Ross says that the location is great for convenience, but also because of what the Healthy Living Centre represents. “As we have made regular visits to the Healthy Living Centre over the last few months it is great to not only see university athletics programs using the facility, but many local citizens using the fitness facility, the walking track, playing pickleball and more. It is obvious that there is a commitment to live up to the facility’s name and these are ideals that we at Dynamic share,” Ross said. “Because of this, we feel like it is a great fit for us, and we believe that the quality rehab services we are known for will be an asset to the centre.”

The Manitoba government is promoting gender equality and highlighting women’s achievements in the province by proclaiming the third week in January Women’s Equality Week, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for status of women, announced today. “This is our second year celebrating Women’s Equality Week and together we have made great strides towards gender equality,” said Squires.  “However, there is more work to be done.  Our government remains committed to supporting women in under-represented areas in the workplace, addressing gender-based violence, promoting the inclusion of more women on corporate boards and supporting women to attain higher education and leadership positions.” The week kicks off today with the launch of the Nellie McClung Trailblazer Scholarship, which supports women and girls pursuing education and careers in under-represented occupations with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), business and trades. “It is so fitting to have these trailblazer scholarships named after Nellie McClung,” said Lila Goodspeed, chair of the Nellie McClung Foundation.  “She was a noted lifelong educator and stated, “If I were young again, I would spend my life as a teacher of young children, doing all in my power to give them a vision of the dignity and glory of being builders and planters, makers and menders.” Through the partnership, Manitoba Status of Women will award 10 scholarships to high school and post-secondary women and girls.  Five awards of $1,000 will be granted to Grade 12 students who have demonstrated an aptitude in an area of study that could lead to further education and/or careers in STEM, business or under-represented trades.  Five awards of $1,750 will be granted to women who are in their first year of a field of study in these areas. The minister noted the selection criteria will reflect the diversity of Manitoba’s population and include awards to students from Indigenous, northern and rural communities.  Scholarship application information is posted online at www.gov.mb.ca/msw. Wednesday, Premier Brian Pallister will host a breakfast in partnership with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to highlight the issue of violence against women.  The theme is ‘Be More than a Bystander’ and invited guests will reflect on the role men can play to help end violence. Manitoba Status of Women is providing a $5,000 grant to the Women’s Enterprise Centre to develop an initiative to support women who wish to sit on corporate boards, which will include creating a website where interested women can send their resumes. “It has been proven that organizations where women are well represented on the board of directors are more successful, both in profitability and in reputation,” said Sandra Altner, chief executive officer, Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba.  “We are very pleased to be working on this project that encourages women to seek board positions and align them with organizations that recognize the important and valuable perspectives they bring to both the business and its role in the community.” Last year, the province committed to developing a gender-based analysis resource for government workers.  This learning tool has been developed and will be shared with all government employees as part of Women’s Equality Week. Friday, women working in STEM and trades are invited to a breakfast with the minister and Dr. Jeannette Montufar, chair of the Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council.  Event information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/ms

Members of Catalyst and Vanguard credit unions approved a proposal to amalgamate their operations. “We’re happy for our members,” said Vanguard Board Chair Guy Huberdeau. “We believed we’d put forth an agreement together that benefits our members, employees, and communities — and tonight the majority of members validated that belief.” In total, 738 members cast votes. At both credit unions, votes in favour were well in excess of the required two-thirds majority. “These votes show the credit union system in action, where the co-operative principle of ‘democratic member control’ gives member-owners the final say on important initiatives,” said Catalyst Chair Richard Dereniwski. The amalgamation will create a credit union with over a billion dollars in assets under administration, 29,500 members, 180 employees and 18 branches. The official amalgamation date is April 1, 2018. The amalgamation is subject to approval by the Competition Bureau.

As Bubble Tea becomes more and more popular across North America, Brandonites can now enjoy this unique beverage at one of the newest specialty shops in the city. Neo Tea Shop, located at #1 559-8th Street (in the strip mall across from Superstore), opened at the beginning of November. The shop is operated by Neo Enterprise and is an independent operation. This new, ultra-modern space offers local residents, as well as visitors to Brandon, a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy a variety of different beverages. They serve hot and cold drinks including ice tea, latte, milk tea, mousse tea and smoothies. Of course, they also offer the most popular types of bubble tea and can help you to choose what you might like best. Bubbles can be added to any drink, hot or cold to make a bubble tea. Some of the topping choices include Pearl, Aloe and Coconut Gel. Because of its great taste, Bubble Tea is rapidly making its way to being Canada’s new favourite drink for every day. The shop is pleased to be able to offer customized service where clients can decide on the ice level, sugar level and toppings that they would like to add to their drinks. They plan to add a few food items to the menu as well. The company is also introducing a loyal-tea card, which allows members to collect points every time they make a purchase. Plus members can enjoy one free drink during their birthday month. The owner of Neo Enterprise said the name and logo for the shop was developed with a great deal of thought. Neo represents ‘new’ and ‘reviving’, while the bison that is part of the logo is a symbol of luck and wealth in China, it is also one of the symbols of Manitoba. As well, the pronunciation of Neo in Chinese is close to the word bison. Neo Enterprise hopes this brings good luck and happiness to their customers! The company also plans to open more stores in 2018, watch for more from them in the new year.