Audrey O’Neal Of Growth and Change Services Inc. Honored As New York Fort George’s 2022 Local  Business Person Of The Year

BOSTON, MA: February 16, 2022 -- The largest online referral network for small businesses, Alignable.com is announcing the results of its national search for leaders who’ve gone above and beyond guiding peers and supporting entire communities as they strive to recover.

Today, Alignable’s network has chosen Audrey O’Neal of Growth and Change Services Inc. as New York- Fort George’ 2022 Business Person Of The Year!  

The 2022 contest is the most popular competition Alignable has ever hosted, marking a 64% increase in participation over last year. In all, 2,400+ small business owners were elected by their peers to be their Local Business People Of The Year across the U.S. and Canada.

During the contest, which ran from Jan. 10 to Feb. 11, 2022, 160,000+ votes and 32,000+ testimonials were posted praising thousands of  local leaders for helping their peers and communities through a turbulent year with many challenges: skyrocketing inflation, labor shortages, supply chain problems, and COVID variants. 

Because of these issues, 70% of small businesses have yet to recover and recovery rates have declined 13% since December, according to Alignable’s latest poll of 6,305 small business owners. This recovery reversal highlights how important it is for the contest winners to continue their work helping even more businesses bounce back from pandemic-era hurdles.

Giving Is The Glue Holding Us Together

“In our generous community, the act of giving is one of our greatest resources as we seem to receive equally if not more in return,” said O’Neal. “The challenges that we have all faced have been inspiring in the sense that it has presented an opportunity to encourage others to lend support. It has served to strengthen the community so that struggles lessen. While I’m honored to receive this award, I believe it is  a testament to the support that is evident in our  our entire community. And it reinforces my resolve to push toward a full recovery for everyone here in New York (Fort George) by the end of 2022, if not earlier.”

O’Neal received a special badge on her Alignable profile, recognizing this big win. In past years, the awareness generated through similar contests has spurred expanded connections, as well as new business for many winners. 

Driving Recognition Is Key

“This has been a fun and rewarding contest to watch unfold,” said Alignable’s President & Co-Founder Venkat Krishnamurthy. “Local business owners are the heart and soul of their communities and they ought to get way more recognition for all they do. Friendly competition aside, this contest generated some incredible peer testimonials (to the tune of 32,000+), showing exactly why small business owners are stronger together.”

To arrange interviews with Audrey O’Neal and/or an Alignable representative, please contact Chuck Casto at [email protected]. He also can offer JPEGs and other visuals, as well as local winner testimonials. 

About 

Growth and Change Services Inc. is a private practice offering tele-health psychotherapy  services to professional men and women. Growth and Change Services Inc. provides treatment for depression, anxiety, phobias, PTSD and we also provides maternal care to expectant and new mothers. For more information, please visit: https://www.audreyoneal.com/

About Alignable

Alignable.com is the largest online referral network for small businesses in the U.S. and Canada. With 7 million+ members across 35,000+ local communities, Alignable is the network where small business owners drive leads and prospects, generate referrals, land new business, build trusted relationships, and share great advice.