WHEELING — Shelley Reager has a job that lights up and brightens other people’s events, but Wednesday it was her time to shine.

Reager and her business, Fully Lit & Co., took home the prize money at the Show of Hands business presentation competition Wednesday night at the Wheeling Artisan Center. The event is organized by Wheeling Heritage, with Orrick as its corporate sponsor.

Those attending paid $5 for a dinner, a ballot and the chance to vote on which of four presenters had the best plan for improving or expanding their business and benefiting the community. Those watching online paid $10 to vote.

The presenter winning the competition takes home all the money collected at the door, as well as that contributed by event sponsors.

Reager and Fully Lit & Co. received $6,088 in winnings. She said she plans to use the money to build a website and better market her business.

Reager thanked those who voted for her, and said she was happy she would be able to finally implement a website where the “public can get the answer to all their questions they might have.”

“It might at least keep me off the phone half the day,” she said.

During her presentation, she explained she previously worked in admissions at West Virginia Northern Community College, but was laid off in 2021.

At about the same time, a friend — who knew Reager liked to plan events — asked for her assistance in organizing a party.

Reager began to look for the things she wanted for the event, such as large lighted letters, and realized they weren’t available locally. She saw a need for a new business.

Reager is now the only business in West Virginia with the lighted letters, and she stores them in her dining room.

“A website will help us to showcase all of the things we offer, and also show the pricing,” she said. “It’s non-stop. We’re constantly getting messages from people wanting to know what it is we have, and how much things cost.”

Reager defeated three other businesses at Show of Hands:

— East Wheeling Clayworks, owned by Adam and Beth Bedway, was represented by Lara Graves on Wednesday night. The business plans to expand its studio to better serve student makers by adding six new pottery wheels.

— Northern Belles is owned by Kaitlyn Alt. Alt wants to take her Elm Grove beverage energy bar on the road with a new mobile drink cart upcycled from an old horse trailer.

— The “Why Not” Media Hub, is a business venture proposed by Jayla Robinson and Shaye Pentino. They are expanding their podcast “Ask Yourself, Why Not?” with the addition of a community-accessible sound studio. Their idea is to provide professional equipment and classes to those wanting to start their own podcasts.

Scott Schenerlein, executive director of Wheeling Heritage, reported that, over the last decade, Wheeling Heritage has handed out more than $147,989 in winnings to local businesses through Show of Hands.

With the prize awarded to Reager Wednesday night, that amount now exceeds $150,000, according to Schenerlein.