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Making Their Place – Competing for Prize Money in the Ohio Valley Business Alliance’s Business Pitch Competition From left, front: Parr Wood’s Chelsea Parr receives $2,600 as second place winner. and Kenny Boyer and Paula Doll of Kenny B’s Bar and Grill/Smackin Axes, winner of the contest for $5,000; And back: Laura’s sheet of craft and create with Laura Sheetz; Heather Tokas of Metastone: The Healing Team; Tiffany Gale of Miss Tiffany’s School for Young Children; and James Miller Spoon and Fork LLC and his assistant Olivia Morris. — Warren Scott
WELLSBURG – Six business owners competed for funding to expand their businesses at the Ohio Valley Business Alliance’s business pitch competition Tuesday at Brock High School.
To achieve their goal of promoting local economic development, the non-profit group invited members to pitch their ideas to five judges in a televised format. “Shark Tank”
As the top winner, Paula Dole and Kenny Boyer with Kenny B and Grill/Smakin’ Ax will receive $5,000 to add an outdoor area to the Weirton Bar.
For placing second, Parr Treasurer’s Chelsea Parr will receive $2,600 in equipment that will allow her to expand her line of personalized gifts sold at her Wellsburg business.
Parr was hoping to purchase a cold case for the baked goods they would eat among the variety of hot and cold items sold at breakfast and lunch.
After opening the gift shop, she found that people living and working in Wellsburg were looking for a fast food option for their daily breakfast and lunch in town, and they grew to find that place.
Parr told the jury that her client You can walk into Parr’s pantry and walk out with a home-cooked meal in five minutes.
Doll said she and Boyer found not only a place for locals to gather, but activities they wanted to engage in, so their pub offers pool, darts and pop-axe throwing.
He said that the toy has been thrown ax “The New Bowling.” With leagues of up to 50 members competing for prizes in bar tournaments.
With her win, she secured funds to pursue an addition to the deck that could include a fire pit and corn hole games.
The two winners won business coaching from Frank Larkey, CEO of LOCI International.
The judges also heard from the following contestants.
– Tiffany Gale of Miss Tiffany’s School for Young Children, who sought funds to expand her Wirton preschool. Since 80 percent of a child’s brain develops before the age of 3, she said, daycare should not be viewed as just babysitting, but should include education.
Gale bought another Wirton building to meet the growing demand for daycares in the area, but said the furnace had to be relocated to meet state fire codes.
– James Miller of Spoon and Fork LLC, which prepares up to five courses in the homes of its customers, allows them to hold birthday parties and other special gatherings in a comfortable and cozy environment.
Miller said he will apply the prize money to commercial kitchens that need to meet state health regulations and containers to keep food fresh or cold while in transit.
Assisted by student Olivia Morris, Miller, who opened the event with a spectacular midway point, presented samples of the food to the judges.
— Laura Sheets of Craft & Create with Laura of Follansby has taught a variety of crafts to local residents for many years.
She said she started selling handicrafts to sustain her business during the pandemic and is now torn between the two approaches.
Sheets herself sought funding for equipment to produce parts for the craft, which she estimated would cut her costs by 40 percent.
—Heather Tokas of MetaStone: A Wellsburg business offering healing group, yoga, reiki and other alternative ways to relieve stress.
Tokas said she and others have helped individuals and groups of all ages, some of whom meet virtually through Metastone’s Facebook page.
She said the prize money will be used to develop a website to raise awareness for the symbol and Meta Stone.
The judging panel included: Luke DiSerio, CEO of American Muscle Docs & Factory; Kelly Jeffers, the ultimate business winner; Ingrid Loy, marketing instructor at West Liberty University; Jay McLaughlin, vice president of accounting and finance at Wheeling-Nippon Steel; and Weirton attorney Michael Simon.
Each competitor was asked to be rated on his or her business concept, competitive advantages, profit potential, resource needs and overall approach.
Prior to the competition, each participant is invited to receive guidance through OVBA in creating a business plan, identifying their target customer base and other entrepreneurial principles.
Ohio Valley Business Alliance President and host of the event, David Click, predicted it would be difficult to pick a winner.
Finally, he announced that the winners scored 202 and 201 points respectively.
Co-chairing the event with Heather Stone and Joanne Simonti, Click thanked the many businesses and organizations that funded the prize money and the Wellsburg, Follansbee and Wirton Chambers of Commerce for their support.
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