Local female run business focuses on sustainability

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This article was published 08/03/2025 (383 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In support of local businesses that are environmentally sustainable, funding from the Women’s Enterprise Centre (WeMB) and RBC has been created to finance women led eco-friendly businesses.

“When we were working with our clients, we heard that there was a need to create another opportunity for companies who wanted to become more sustainable, who wanted to contribute to a cleaner environment,” said WeMB CEO Tracey Maconachie.

One of the companies in Steinbach that is interested in getting the loan is Milieu Market owner Julia Plett who operates an environmentally sustainable retail store that focuses on reducing plastic waste.

“Our whole business is set up on the sustainable circular economy strategy, so we aren’t producing any new plastics. We do everything on a circular method so everything is reused and refilled,” said Plett, who has had her Steinbach business for four years.

The WeGreen loans offer financing between $5,000 and $150,000 and are only available for one year.

“What we do know is that in Manitoba it’s actually underrepresented. Nationally 18 percent of entrepreneurs are women, in Manitoba its closer to 15 percent,” said Maconachie.

“It’s interesting. There is data that actually shows that when female run businesses receive funds, whether through a grant or a loan, they actually have a higher impact on the operations of their business. They’re actually are able to use those dollars in a way that’s more impactful either increasing their sales or making them more productive,” noted Maconachie, who said she just gave out the first WeGreen loan this week.

WeMB has been around since 1994 and offers services to female entrepreneurs by offering supportive, women-led community and services by offering advice, financing, training, and networking.

Plett said she started her business after seeing a gap in natural and eco-friendly options in Steinbach at the time. She said customers bring in their old shampoo, dish soap, and laundry detergent bottles to fill with her products. She said environmentally friendly practices are at the front of her business plans.

“We kind of work on a scale of trying to find the most sustainable option first and then as local as possible…and then we try our best to find ways to make it convenient for the community, but sustainability is always the main reason we do anything here.”

Plett said it’s not difficult to be eco-friendly and that changes can be made in small steps. She said there is a drop in the market right now because the cost of living has gone up but that sustainability doesn’t have to be expensive. She said the dish detergent she sells is $0.47 per 100 grams and is concentrated so a customer uses less, which makes per load costs low.

“I think…everyone can make a difference and making little changes in your life can make an impact on our planet. And even though there are hard times like right now, there are places where you have the room to make changes and consume less, it’s a great idea to try and do that.

To get a WeGreen loan or get more information, phone WeMB at 1-800-203-2343.