photo by: Photo by Joselyn King

DeSean James, owner of the Backyard Escapes landscaping company, displays the oversized check presented him March 30 as winner of the Show of Hands business competition sponsored by Wheeling Heritage. The next Show of Hands event is slated for June 29, and applications for presenters are being accepted through May 29.

WHEELING – Backyard Escapes mowed down a victory in the Show of Hands business competition Wednesday night.

Now owner DeSean James plans to use the winnings to purchase not just one bigger mower, but two of them for his landscaping company.

James took home $4,470 after receiving the most votes from those attending Show of Hands, which was organized by Wheeling Heritage. During the event, four local entrepreneurs present their ideas to start a business or expand their existing business.

Attendees pay $5 for a ballot to vote on which presentation they think is best worth the investment. Winners receive a minimum of $4,000, plus the money paid at the door.

The in-person Show of Hands event took place at the Artisan Center in downtown Wheeling on Wednesday night after two years of virtual competitions.

A Georgia native, James told the crowd he first started helping his contractor father do work when he was just 7 year old. He has been in the landscaping business for over 20 years – since he was just age 16.

James added he came to Wheeling for “a girl,” who is now his wife.

He does landscape construction and maintenance, tree climbing and outdoor kitchens. He also cleans and installs gutters, and will even put in cabinets during winter months.

“Landscaping to me is important,” James said. “When you come home from a long day, you should be able to come home, relax and enjoy a luxurious yard. That is what I feel I bring a service to.

“My services aren’t needed by everybody. But for the people who feel they do need my services – especially residential – I like them to feel they have the amenities of a fine hotel or something.”

He said he doesn’t really mow grass, but goes well beyond that.

“We actually maintenance yards,” James said.

James started Backyard Escapes last year, and said the business is growing. He now has employees and insurance costs to pay each month.

James is now looking to buy more efficient equipment, such as a used 60-inch walk-behind mower he expects to cost about $5,000. He has saved some money for the purchase, and he now wants to use the money won at Show of Hands to buy a second smaller used mower at about $3,000.

He thanked not just those voting for him Wednesday, but his family and mentors who supported him over the years.

James even singled out a competing landscape company owner, Michael Sneigle of Sneigle Landscaping and Lawn Care, for allowing him to use some of his equipment during his first year in business.

Other businesses competing in Show of Hands were Art’s Old Town Bicycle Repair, The Cheese Melt Bar and Grill and Lucky Candies 2.