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.”
