That all made for an incredible night for Corey Kidd of Bakery 49, winner of tonight’s Show of Hands.
But the icing on the cake? It had to be Corey’s kids, Carter and Carson, waiting in the wings to give Mom big hugs after her big win. They could barely contain their joy.
“I feel loved,” Kidd said after the cheers erupted and the news had sunk in. “I looked out and literally felt like I knew every single person here and the fact that they took the time to come to be here for me … it means a lot.”
The support “means the world,” said Kidd.
Kidd has an in-home bakery and also plans to offer “Bake & Sip” events and “Cake on Demand,” which would offer help to those who want to bake something special for someone or to teach kids how to make cupcakes as a birthday party activity.
Four businesses were chosen from a field of 15 to compete tonight in the first-ever female entrepreneur edition of Wheeling Heritage’s Show of Hands. The Women’s Giving Circle, which suggested the women-centric edition, offered $3,000 to the prize pot for the 19th Show of Hands.
“The mission of the WGC is to educate, inspire and empower and otherwise improve the lives of women and young girls in our area, said Suzanne Rohrig-Gaiser, president of the organization. “We are so incredibly excited to be involved in this night.”
Along with Corey Kidd of Bakery 49, presenters were Sarah Williams and Melinda Scott of GypsyLace Cafe, Terry Jill Bonar of Making Magic, and Nancy Haynes of Re’Decorate Consignment.
Sarah Williams of GypsyLace Cafe said that attending a previous Show of Hands actually put the wheels in motion for her and her business partner, Melinda Scott, to start their mobile café.
Terry Jill Bonar of Making Magic started off by taking an “Ellen selfie” of the large crowd at the event. She offered the most emotional presentation — tearing up when she talked about saying goodbye to her career as a nurse when Ohio Valley Medical Center closed and starting her new business — a lifelong dream — with the support of those who love and support her. She said she’s always been passionate about “special events and beautiful decorations for friends and family.”
Re’Decorate’s Nancy Haynes’ passion is the “being at the beach,” she said. But she’s also passionate about “holding people up.”
“For me, I want to change lives. I’ve always wanted to make a difference,” she said. She believes her Re’Decorate Consignment business helps people to be proud of their homes and to work toward living a sustainable life through reuse.
Read more about each of the four presenters in Weelunk’s story posted earlier this week: Female Entrepreneur Edition Set for Wednesday.
Orrick was the event corporate sponsor, and Friends of Show of Hands include: Dave and Beth Weaver, Wheeling Volkswagen and Subaru; Dr. and Mrs. Dan and Debbie Joseph — Joseph Orthodontics; Brian Joseph — Touchstone Research Laboratory; Fuzz and Barb LaRue; H. Lawrence Jones; Kennen & Kennen Realtors; Warwood Armature; Rabbi Joshua and Rebecca Lief; Bob Hitchman; and a private donor. Additional support has been provided by Sue Blevins; WTRF (media sponsor); and Glessner Group (advertising sponsor).
The next Show of Hands is set for May 20.
• Having spent nearly 38 years as reporter, bureau chief, lifestyles editor and managing editor at The Times Leader, and design editor at The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, Phyllis Sigal now serves as Weelunk’s managing editor. She lives in Wheeling with her husband Bruce Wheeler. Along with their two children, son-in-law and two grandchildren, food, wine, travel, theater and music are close to their hearts.
