The Business by the Bay pitch competition ended on Wednesday night with five businesses winning a total of more than $11,000. This marked the event’s second year.
The Business by the Bay pitch competition, sponsored by the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Lake Huron Region and Huntington Bank – took place on Wed., Nov. 13 at John Glenn High School.
In addition to the money awarded by the judges, the businesses also had a chance to win a fan favorite award. Audience members could buy $5 ballots to choose their favorite business.
The five competitors, and their prizes, were:
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Ashley BrownJonah Joppich (left) and Jared Greshow (right), friends for nearly 30 years, founded Bay City Boat Rental together in 2024.Bay City Boat Rental – awarded $5,000 plus a one-year Bay Area Chamber of Commerce membership
Jared Greshow and Jonah Joppich opened Bay City Boat Rental in the spring of 2024 with two pontoon boats. No experience is necessary to rent as Greshow and Joppich provide a boater safety demonstration, GPS units, and docking assistance.
On Wednesday night, they asked for $5,000 investment to put toward a motor for the third boat, which joins the fleet in 2025. The new motor will cost between $9,000 and $10,000.
“The beauty of the water surrounding us is one of Bay City’s greatest treasures,” Greshow said.
Many people, though, can’t enjoy the water. Boats are costly, time-consuming investments.
Renting a boat removes that problem.
“The best kind of boat is someone else’s boat and we can be your someone else’s boat,” Joppich said.
In 2024, Bay City Boat Rental saw 140 rentals, but turned away more than 40 rentals because both boats were already out. Adding a third boat should help capture that revenue. The hope is to hit 200 rentals in 2025.
The boats are docked at
Scotty’s Sandbar, 120 Evergreen Drive.
Read more about
Bay City Boat Rental in this
May 23 Route Bay City article.
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Photo courtesy of Sanctuary YogaSanctuary Yoga is inside the former Allen Medical Building, 200 S. Wenona Ave., Suite 151. Classes include several different types of yoga and a barre workout.Sanctuary Yoga Bay City – awarded $3,500 plus the $180 Fan Favorite
Sanctuary Yoga is inside the former Allen Medical Building, 200 S. Wenona Ave., Suite 151. Classes include yoga and barre.
Leah Werth, the founder and owner, explained how yoga can help health and wellness.
“The problem that we see in our community is we have such a busy lifestyle,” Werth said. “We don’t know how to de-stress and cope with these things in a healthy way.”
Yoga shows people a healthy way to de-stress.
“This is where we come in. We are the solution to all these problems. We teach our members, we teach our clients, how to cope with these things,” Werth said.
She asked for money to grow the business by purchasing new equipment, a sound system, camera system to offer virtual classes, and new signs.
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Photo courtesy of Bonejacked Vintage ApparelNick DeyArmond and his wife, Angela Napolitano, opened Bonejacked Vintage Apparel on Columbus Avenue in 2023. They occasionally offer pop-up shops, such as this at Populace Coffee. Bonejacked Vintage Apparel – awarded $1,500
Nick Deyarmond and his wife, Angela Napolitano, opened
Bonejacked Vintage Apparel at 512 Columbus Ave in 2023. The store is stocked with decades-old vintage clothing.
The name bonejacked means “stealing the style of one who is dead.”
During the pitch event, they asked for $5,000 to add fitting rooms, industrial racks, new flooring, and air conditioning to their store.
During their pitch, Napolitano and Deyarmond emphasized the sustainability of used clothing and the advantages of in-person shopping.
“Bonejacked is here to serve up a vintage shopping experience that is funky, fresh, and sustainable,” Napolitano said.
Bonejacked takes the guesswork out of vintage shopping. When people shop online, they are guessing on the fit and feel of the clothes. When people shop thrift stores, the quality isn’t always high.
Bonejacked solves all that by only accepting high-quality items. They also clean, sanitize, and repair all items before they go on the store floor.
The pair stressed that the vintage market is growing. They also are expanding their reach by hosting live events inside the store, building a community.
“It’s a community for anyone who wants to live sustainable and look sharp while doing it,” Napolitano said.
Read more about Bonejacked Vintage Apparel in this
Sept. 7, 2023 Route Bay City article.
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Photo courtesy of Broadway GrillThe Broadway Family Grill, 2020 Broadway St., is a veteran-owned and operated business known for its breakfast. The eatery also serves everything from biscuits and gravy to burgers and fries.Broadway Family Grill – awarded $750
Broadway Family Grill, 2020 Broadway St., is a veteran-owned and operated business that bills itself as an American diner. You’ll find everything from a robust selection of omelets, waffles, and other breakfast favorites to half-pound burgers, hearty sandwiches, and sweet desserts.
“We’re a neighborhood family restaurant which means we take pride in serving our customers and treating them like family,” said owner Henry “Hank” Ryan
.
Ryan asked for the money to add a pick-up window and takeout area to his building. Third-party delivery drivers also would use the space to wait for orders.
Currently, delivery drivers and people picking up takeout orders stand near the cash register or tables. Ryan said that makes it hard for dine-in customers to pay and for his staff to get to tables.
He explained that when other restaurants have added pick-up windows, they’ve seen sales rise between 15 and 30%. Third-party delivery services also grow sales.
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Photo courtesy of Carmona's Super TacoCarmona's Super taco, a food truck based at 1403 N. Henry St., serves up tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and other fan favorites. Owner Isaac Carmona uses the recipes of his father, who owned Touch of Mexico in Bay City.Carmona’s Super Taco – awarded $750
Carmona’s Super Taco, a food truck based at 1403 N. Henry St., serves up tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and other fan favorites.
Owner Isaac Carmona uses the recipes of his father, the late Conrad Carmona, who owned Touch of Mexico in Bay City.
Carmona opened his food truck-based eatery in August. He was inspired after hearing from his father’s former customers who missed the food.
As he hoped, those customers have been keeping him busy.
“The word is out and everybody has been coming in that I hoped would,” Carmona said.
For now, he’s only open limited hours, but is hoping to expand his hours as well as pick up catering jobs.
“The success of my business is more than money,” Carmona wrote in his presentation. “Giving Bay City enjoyment through this nostalgic food is my passion. I’m very honored to have the ability to serve you,’ written.”
He asked for the funding to pay for a generator, catering equipment, and outdoor seating.
Michelle Judd, Small Business Consultant at the Michigan SBDC and a committee member for Business by the Bay, praised the event.
“This event is a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Bay County,” Judd said. “We are thrilled to provide these businesses with a platform to shine, and we encourage the community to come out, enjoy the event, and support these local entrepreneurs. Their success is the success of Bay County.”
Huntington Bank, the presenting sponsor, shares this vision of community support.
“Huntington is continually working to strengthen the communities we serve, and supporting Business by the Bay is a way to lift small businesses and ensure they are able to thrive,” said Seth Perigo, Regional President at Huntington Bank.
Additional sponsors include Bay County Growth Alliance, Independent Bank, Northern Initiatives, Isabella Bank, Thumb Bank, and Duperon Education.
The businesses presented their dreams to four judges – Joel Beeck, Vice President-Mortgage Region Manger for Huntington Bank; Hillary Stockel, Vice President Commercail Banking for Independent Bank; Trish Burns, Bay County Growth Alliance Board Member and Bay County Library System Director; and Mohamed Adel, Director of the Dow Entrepreneurship Institute at Saginaw Valley State University.