Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/830133
25 MBiz | june 2017 that is over six feet at the withers." As part of their treatment, kids pet and hold the animals or exercise large horses by leading them on a halter. "The animal chooses the child. The bond never fails … it always works out," she says. People in the St. Malo area are very supportive, providing inexpensive hay, clearing her driveway in winter and building a playground on her farm. "A neighbour mucks out stalls for free because she thinks it's fun!" Fouasse received a $1,000 cash prize and connections to marketing experts and programs to help grow her business. Donald Glenn also overcame adversity to establish his own business. He had worked as a mechanic in Thompson for 16 years when a flu virus triggered a rare autoimmune condition called skin writing disease. He describes the symptoms as constant itching that raised welts. "I wanted to break into a run to escape what felt like a swarm of black flies biting all parts of my body," he says. As a result, he suffered severe depression and physical weakness. Unable to continue his job as a mechanic, he and his growing family were in financial distress by the time a workable treatment was found. When his health began to improve, a Community Futures representative suggested he apply for a start-up business grant. Always a DIYer, Glenn opened Shorty's Upcycling Studio in 2016. His idea was to collect discarded materials and recycle them into functional furniture or art objects. "It's easy to find scrap in Thompson because nothing is sent away to be recycled," he says. His business has been supported by the people and press of Thompson, who appreciate the uniqueness of his work. Winning the Just Watch Me! honour furthered his notoriety, and he was recently invited to speak at a conference attended by Thompson Mayor Dennis Fenske and local MLA Kelly Brindle. Manitoba had a third winner: Gimli's Carrie Arsenault, owner of Sugar Me Cookie Boutique earned third place in the Seasoned Entrepreneur category. ■ Lucy Fouasse, owner of Lil' Steps Miniatures & Wellness Farm in St. Malo, has a menagerie of assistants. Each animal has a unique talent for providing therapy to kids and teens. Photos by Darcy Finley The animal chooses the child. The bond never fails … it always works out."