ECHO Named Loudoun Small Business of the Year | Business

Celebrating its 50^th year of community service ECHO took the top prize at this year’s Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards.

It is the second consecutive year that a nonprofit took home the Small Business of the Year Award, following Loudoun Hunger Relief’s 2024 win.

ECHO, formed as Every Citizen Has Opportunities, provides jobs and employment support, including an extensive transportation system, to disabled adults.

“When ECHO started in 1975, we were supporting five people. We had one staff member, one vehicle, and it was a steady incline,” said Director of Development Todd Goldian. “Ever since then, we repair and replace vehicles every year to the point now where we have 23 vehicles to support our operations. We have 75 different staff members. We have 210 participants in our programs now.”

Speaking to a large crowd of business leaders gathered at the National Conference Center for the 31^st annual awards program, Goldian noted that ECHO was one of the original members of the Chamber.

Greg Armfield, founder of TEXTP2P, was selected as Loudoun Entrepreneur of the Year.

“When I started TEXTP2P, my goal was to help small businesses communicate better with their customers,” he said. That idea turned into a platform that I developed, and now I’ve been able to help thousands of businesses, nonprofits, churches, schools across North America. It’s quite the honor. This recognition is not just for me. It’s for my customers that trusted me and TEXTP2P—many are in this room.”

Other finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year were: Fred Briggs of Applied Impact Robotics, Ferri Riar of Orblynx Academy, and Brian Tinsman of POUNCE Solutions.

Dare Gift Boxes was the winner of the People’s Choice Award, decided by online voting of the public.

Other winners this year were:

Flex-Location Business of the Year: Maventrim, a remote bookkeeping firm. Other finalists were Dare Gift Boxes, Fallon Enterprises, and You-nique Interior Designs.

Retail, Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year: Lost Barrel Brewing Co. Other finalists were: The Global Local, Walsh Family Wine, and Waterford Reservations.

Nonprofit Organization of the Year: ECHO. Other finalists were JK Community Farm, Loudoun Education Foundation, and Loudoun Community Media/Loudoun Now.

GovCon Business of the Year: Data Storage Science. Other finalists were: Equine Endeavors, dba NOVA Equestrian Center, RedSky, and Strongbridge. It was the first year for the category.

Consumer Service Business of the Year: Orblynx Academy. Other finalists were: DryHome Roofing and Siding, Home Renovations with MW Burke, and Mobile Steam Car Detailing – NAISSUS.

Professional Service Business of the Year: Raheja Construction. Other finalists were: Bridgecross, Manor Works Painting, and POUNCE Solutions.

Health & Wellness Business of the Year: Chunky Vegan. Other finalists were: A Path Forward, Elite Wellness Performance and Recovery, and The Body, Birth, and Baby Center.