Prairie Alchemist: A Place to Heal, Gather, and Grow

Prairie Alchemist began with Cyndi’s determination to heal. While undergoing cancer treatment, she turned to herbal tea and completed her herbology training, discovering a renewed sense of purpose that would eventually transform both her own life and her community in St. Malo. What started as a personal wellness practice slowly grew into something far greater.

With support from Community Futures Triple R, Cyndi took a courageous leap from idea to reality. Through CF’s Business Builder program, Mashup Lab, and a flexible, relationship-based loan, Community Futures adapted alongside her; offering guidance, encouragement, and practical financial support as her vision evolved faster than expected. That belief gave Cyndi the confidence to open a brick-and-mortar café far sooner than she imagined.

Today, Prairie Alchemist is more than a business. It is a safe, welcoming space where people gather, celebrate, grieve, and connect. By collaborating with local producers, sourcing ethically, and introducing value-added products like signature tea and spice blends, the café contributes to the rural economic “big picture” while drawing customers from beyond the region.

Prairie Alchemist shows what’s possible when entrepreneurs are supported as people, not just businesses, and when Community Futures Triple R meets passion. Cyndi’s reminder: “Just keep showing up.”

Lil’ Steps Wellness

Lucy Sloan, founder of Lil’ Steps Wellness, built her business from resilience, vision, and a deep commitment to helping others.

Starting as a single mother recovering from a serious head injury, Lucy had the passion to support mental health in her community, but lacked financial resources. With support from Community Futures’ Elevate Program, she received critical early funding and mentorship that allowed her to turn her idea into reality.

What began as a one-person counselling service has grown into a thriving organization with approximately 30 staff, two locations, and a wide range of therapeutic services. Lucy expanded her original vision by integrating animal-assisted therapy, creating innovative and accessible approaches to mental health care.

Operating in a rural community has been central to her success. Lucy has been able to reach individuals and families who face barriers to accessing services, while also benefiting from strong community support and advocacy.

She measures success not by profit, but by impact, how many people she can help and how effectively she can reduce stigma around mental health.

Today, Lucy continues to innovate. Her evidence-based “Being Me” program is poised for expansion across Canada, and she is leading the way in Manitoba by training other professionals in animal-assisted therapy.
Through determination, creativity, and community support, Lucy has created a business that not only thrives, but transforms lives.

Accurate HD

Thought it’s known for its cheese, New Bothwell a small Manitoba community East off the 59 Hwy has so much more to offer. An owner operated company Accurate HD provides horizontal directional drilling of utility installations, energy, water & sewer, telecommunications, fiber optics and geothermal. 

 Jesse, Stan and Scott started Accurate HD in the summer of 2007 with a single drill. Now 10 years later they operate with a crew of roughly 40 people and a fleet of upwards of 80 pieces of supporting equipment.

“We heard about Community Futures Triple R though the Niverville Credit Union... CF Triple R contributed to our success by giving us a chance. They helped us get started and guided us in the right direction.” 

Accurate HD has become a success because of the determination, hard work and long hours of its partners and staff. “It is our mission to provide our valued clients not only with an extraordinary experience but also that which matters most – A flawless end result delivered as safely, efficiently and professionally as possible.” 

“We continue to establish ourselves as a trusted leader in horizontal directional drilling (HDD) nationwide.”

Accurate HDs past and current projects include partnerships with MTS Allsteam, SaskTel, numerous R.M.’s and Towns in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Visit www.accuratehd.com for a full list of projects.

“Our future plans for Accurate are to continue to operate, working on the efficiency and sustainability of our company while molding the best team in the industry.”

Spectis Moulders

Spectis Moulders manufactures high quality polyurethane architectural products for the building and construction industry. We produce moldings, balusters, railings, blocks, gingerbreads, columns, sunbursts, keystones, arches, louvers, medallions, niches and more. Find out more at www.spectis.com

Clear Rail Consulting

Clear Rail Consulting was started in 2005 to fill a unique niche area within the rail transportation sector. This sector is plagued with shipper related issues like railcar demurrage and other costly service type failures. Clear Rail, using its vast and unmatched railway experience, supports the rail based customers in their dealing with Class 1 Railways across North America. With the addition of our Industry Leading Web based Demurrage Management Program we are positioned as the only choice for customers to deal with these complex issues effectively. This Railway Tariff driven program is now operating in approximately 500 facilities across North America and growing rapidly. Clear Rail has no real competition within this sector of the rail industry in North America.

Since 2005 Clear Rail consulting has seen a 200%-300% growth rate per year. It remains a small, customer focused company that technically could see exponential yearly growth if it is decided internally that this is the overall direction to be taken. Quality of life for its owner and employees is as important, if not more important, to this company's values as the bottom line. Remaining small and agile allows Clear Rail Consulting to form incredibly close relationships with its customer base ensuring the customer is always being treated fairly by the Class 1 Railways, which has not always been the case. The Railways are riddled with inefficiencies and Clear Rail ensures its customers do not end up paying for those Railway inefficiencies Clear Rail has a proven track record of successes in the complex and customer confusing area and always ensures the customer is protected effectively. Find out more at www.clearrail.com