The Benefits of HAVING YOUR WBENC Minority Business Certification (WBE) FROM THE Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
Nearly ten years ago, I learned about the WBENC which is the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. It is a national council that certifies women-owned business throughout the country. My WBE certification with the WBENC allowed my firm to become a recognized small business with the DFW International Airport and other corporations who sponsor and award contracts to women members who become certified by their organization.
WBENC’s world-class certification is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America’s most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and other entities. WBENC is also an approved Third Party Certifier for the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program.
If you follow me on social media or check out this website, you will see that I am a huge advocate, advisor, and coach for these WBE/MBE certifications and experienced first hand the great opportunities these certifications create for your business.
There are many benefits of getting a minority business certification for women through this agency. From gaining useful access to valuable resources and capacity building programs to chances for women-owned business recognition awards and promotional opportunities, there are dozens of benefits to reap from the WBENC certification.
WBENC Certification validates that the business is 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. To achieve WBENC Certification, women-owned businesses complete a formal documentation and site visit process which is administered by one of WBENC’s 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPO). Additionally, WBENC Certification gives women-owned businesses the ability to compete for real-time business opportunities provided by WBENC Corporate Members and government agencies.
Here are some benefits for you:
Gain Access:
Being a certified member of the WBENC allows you to access a current list of supplier diversity and procurement executives at hundreds of major U.S. corporations and federal, state and local government entities that accept WBENC certification. Also, WBENC certified businesses also have formal and informal opportunities to pursue business deals with National Corporate Members and other WBENC certified businesses.
WBENC certification gives women-owned businesses the opportunity to attend WBENC’s annual Women in Business National Conference and Business Fair, which from my experience is an amazing event to network with corporate sponsors and meet potential partners for future business opportunities. You are also eligible to participate in face-to-face matchmaking sessions. Additionally, WBENC certified businesses are automatically included in WBENCLink, WBENC’s Internet database of certified WBEs, which is accessible by WBENC’s Corporate Members and other certified WBEs across the country.
Additionally, WBENC certified businesses are given eligibility to receive sourcing opportunities through MatchMaker365, WBENC’s new online business matching, scheduling, and tracking portal, which helps corporate buyers identify and meet the right WBE suppliers and obtain the right products or services. WBENC certified businesses are encouraged to partner with other WBENC certified WBEs to pursue other business opportunities to grow their network and profit.
Capacity Development:
WBENC certification gives women-owned businesses access to a number of capacity building programs and activities. Some of these include: eligibility to receive a Dorothy B. Brothers Scholarship, eligibility to participate in the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, workshops, and keynotes at WBENC national events, Webinars, WBENCLink, MatchMaker365, “Just in Time Learning Series” by Susan Bari, access to community of support among WBENC certified WBEs, and articles in WBENC’s President’s Report and WBENC News on website.
Recognition: WBENC certified businesses are given eligibility for regional representation and national recognition as a Women’s Business Enterprise Star; eligibility for recognition through WBENC’s Applause Award; eligibility for International Luminary Award; and eligibility for recognition through the William J. Alcorn Leaders.
Promotion of the Business: All WBENC certified businesses are given use of the WBENC certification WBE seal on their marketing materials, which identifies the women’s business enterprise as certified through WBENC’s national standards and procedures, use of WBENC press release template to announcing the business as newly WBENC certified.
WBENC certified businesses are given eligibility to promote their business through sponsorship of WBENC national events. A number of promotional opportunities are provided in sponsorship packages. WBE Chair opportunities are available and open to every WBENC certified WBE. Although only two WBE Co-Chairs are selected for each national event, this sponsorship opportunity includes year-long promotional and exposure benefits.
WBENC certified businesses are given eligibility to promote their business in a 60-second video on the Elevator Pitch located on WBENC’s website and eligibility to promote their business on WBENC Social Media profiles.
Advocacy: The WBENC drafts papers and research developed on key women business issues and offers opportunities to participate in surveys so that each business’ voice is represented on key issues, and improves the representation of women business issues in key forums. There are many benefits to becoming a certified member of the WBENC. As reviewed, the WBENC minority business certification can be key to major access, development programs, promotional activities and advocacy that is key to ongoing growth and development. If your business is majority owned by a woman it would definitely be in your businesses best interest to join and begin reaping the benefits of WBENC certification.
Check out their website at http://www.wbenc.org/global-certification-partners/ and feel free to contact them for how to get started. Also, take note that our firm has a done-for-you or done-with-you program to assist you in the process. We are here to support you all the way! Good luck and get started today.
Tawanna Heyward-Bey
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