Today's a big day for the great storytellers in our network!

After reviewing thousands of funny, emotional, and inspirational entries, plus heartfelt comments from our members, we’re happy to announce the local small businesspeople who've just won the first phase of our WOW-Worthy SmallBiz Story Search.

🥁Drumroll please! 🥁

Eagle’s Best Small Business Storyteller for 2019 is Maddalena Costanzo of Passioni&Curiosità! 

And here's the winning entry:
Hello everyone! My name is Maddalena Costanzo; I come from Southern Italy. My husband is Salvatore Spirito. We both are Italian architects. We have two children; our daughter is the oldest and our son is the youngest. Actually they st....

Best Stories From Your Local Business Community

Criteria focused on the overall quality of the story compared to other local entries. Funny, emotional, surprising, inspirational or otherwise unforgettable stories rose to the top, via member likes, and judging panel input.

Our aim was to showcase many real stories from small business life and our impressive contest entrants truly delivered!

We were thrilled to see countless stories that reflect the resilience, dedication, and humor small businesspeople tap daily to make their dreams a reality and bolster their local economy. Many stories also included small business advice that could benefit any business owner.

Badge Enhances Business Networking on Alignable

Eagle’s winner has received a personalized badge to celebrate this major achievement.

The badge can drive more prospects, visibility and recognition on our Alignable network for the rest of 2019 and beyond.

Beyond the badge, all local winners are automatically entered into the semifinalist phase of our competition -- state or provincial winners for the U.S. and Canada. Semifinalists will be named next month. 

Upcoming Vote For Top 10 Stories & $23K In Prizes

Once semifinalists are revealed, North American voting will commence to help choose the grand prize winners, one each for the U.S. and Canada, as well as eight runners-up.

Each national winner will receive a lifetime Alignable premium membership, valued at $10,800. Runners-up will each be given six months of free premium memberships, valued at $180 each. In all, over $23,000 worth of prizes will be awarded.