After four local business made their pitch to a crowd of more than 250 people at Wheeling Heritage’s Show of Hands, Just Me & More Salon walked away with the most votes! Owner Rica Dabney took home the top prize of $6,070 for her hair salon located on Market Street in Wheeling. This special edition of the Show of Hands event featured a lineup of all Black-owned businesses in honor of Black History Month.
Show of Hands is a community-supported crowdfunded event hosted by Wheeling Heritage. Each presenter had a one-minute video, produced by the Wheeling Heritage media team, which played before they gave their four-minute pitch to the audience. Online voting was also available for those who could not be in attendance in person.
During her presentation, Rica introduced her salon and the services she offers. She explained that she would use part of the money from Show of Hands to make her salon more handicap accessible. Rica shared how she recently had to move a salon chair and products to serve a client in the lobby due to her building not having proper accommodations. She emphasized how she wants everyone to feel welcome and included in her salon and to have full access to the services she provides. Rica plans to use the prize money toward removing the steps to make her shop accessible for all of her clients, along with getting new signage and enhancing her storefront.
“There are no words to say. I am truly honored and humbled to win Show of Hands,” said Rica. “Show of Hands is a great program for us small business owners to enhance and improve our small businesses in Wheeling. Because of this, I am to make my salon accessible for everyone!”
The event’s other presenters included:
- Daniel Pearson, owner of Movers 4 You
- Tarrika Jenkins, owner of LittleBlessings Childcare Facility
- Vondel Bell, local artist and owner of Visionary Minded
Daniel Pearson, owner of Movers 4 You.
Scott Schenerlein, Wheeling Heritage’s Executive Director, said “Congratulations to Rica and to all of the contestants.” Schenerlein continued, “Thanks also to our sponsors and attendees as their support is key in so many ways to making this event a success. Hosting this event is vital for our small business community here in Wheeling. Not only can this help change the course of a business, but to show that our community is behind these businesses is huge.”
The next Show of Hands is scheduled for Monday, April 17 at the Wheeling Artisan Center in Downtown Wheeling. Applications are currently being accepted through Friday, March 10 at wheelingheritage.org/show-of-hands.
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Since its creation in 2014, Show of Hands has given over $111,000 to projects and businesses that make Wheeling a special place to live. Orrick, the program’s corporate sponsor, donates $1,000 for each event. The Friends of Show of Hands, which consists of community members and business owners, also contributes to each event. For this latest Show of Hands, several additional community donations were given to support this event, including Attention to Detail, Men of Change, Wheeling Elks Lodge No. 28, and the Wheeling Branch NAACP.
Learn more about Wheeling Heritage’s upcoming events by visiting wheelingheritage.org
About Wheeling Heritage:
Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our wor
