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The largest online referral network for small businesses, Alignable.com is announcing the results of its month-long North American search for local business leaders who’ve gone above and beyond to help peers during the COVID Crisis. Today, Alignable’s network is honoring Karen Soni of Ahava Marketing,  a results-driven full service digital agency helping businesses innovate, grow, and thrive, as Sugar Land’s 2021 Alignable Local Business Person Of The Year. As a marketing agency and consultancy expert, Ahava solves the daily digital challenges and provides solutions to reach the “increasingly” diverse consumers through design, creative content, strategy, and research.

Alignable amassed an incredible 86,000+ votes and recommendations about hometown business heroes. This is the third year Alignable has hosted this contest and the participation levels for 2021’s competition topped 2020’s by a monumental 800%.

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During a time where at least two-thirds of small businesses have regularly reported suffering negative effects from COVID issues, it’s clear with this outpouring of support just how much small business owners wanted to recognize the extraordinary efforts of their peers.

A Testament To The Bond Between SMBs
“To see so many business owners celebrate their peers was awesome -- 60 votes landed every minute at the height of the contest,” said Eric Groves, Alignable’s Co-Founder and CEO. “This frenetic level of participation is a testament to the strength of the business relationships forged and reinforced over the past year.”

Alignable’s 2021 Local Business Person Of The Year Contest ran from January 6 to February 5, 2021. Alignable invited its 6 million+ members to vote for their favorite peers. In all, 2,962 local business people emerged victorious across North America, after 61,000+ votes were tallied and 25,000+ recommendations were reviewed.

We’re Stronger Together
"Sugar Land’s community means a great deal to me and, like many of my peers, I have gladly helped my fellow small business owners overcome a number of obstacles during this tough time," said Soni. “I am beyond honored to receive this award and very grateful for the heartwarming support from my peers. We’re all stronger together.”

Soni and other 2021 Local Business People Of The Year in communities across the U.S. and Canada have received badges on their Alignable profiles, in recognition of their contributions. In past years, the awareness generated through this contest has helped drive additional connections, prospects, and new business for many winners.

Networking Surge Kicks Off 2021
“We hope the popularity of this year’s contest will lead to even greater awareness and business success for 2021’s winners,” said Alignable’s Co-Founder and President Venkat Krishnamurthy. “We’ve already heard from some members that the surge in networking, referrals, and recommendations that occurred during 2021’s contest got them off to a stronger start this year.”