Navigating the Certification Process for Diverse-Owned Businesses
“Equality is leaving the door open for anyone who has the means to approach it; equity is ensuring there is a pathway to that door for those who need it.”
–Caroline Belden (Writer, ‘The Inclusion Solution’)
“The difference between equity and equality is that equality is when everyone gets the same thing, and equity is when everyone gets the things they deserve.”
–DeRay Mckesson (Activist)
Introduction
Obtaining certification as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE), or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) is a crucial step for diverse-owned businesses looking to secure government and corporate contracts. In this blog, we will guide you through the certification process and highlight its benefits.
Why Certification is Important
Certification is important because it provides formal recognition of your business's diversity status. This recognition can significantly enhance your visibility and credibility, making it easier to connect with companies and government agencies committed to supplier diversity. Certification can also lead to preferential contracting opportunities and increased business growth.
Steps to Certification
Determine Eligibility: Ensure that your business meets the eligibility criteria for the respective certification. This typically means that at least 51% of the business must be owned, controlled, and operated by individuals who fall under the minority, women, veteran, or disadvantaged categories.
Choose the Certifying Body: Select the appropriate certifying organization. For example, the NMSDC certifies MBEs, while WBENC certifies WBEs. The Department of Transportation (DOT) handles DBE certifications.
Gather Documentation: Prepare the necessary documentation, which may include business formation documents, financial statements, tax returns, resumes of owners, and proof of ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or disadvantage status.
Submit Application: Complete and submit the application form along with the required documentation. Be thorough and accurate to avoid delays.
Site Visit and Interview: Some certifying bodies may conduct a site visit and interview to verify the information provided in your application.
Certification Decision: If your application is approved, you will receive your certification. If not, you may need to provide additional information or address any discrepancies.
Maintaining Your Certification
Once certified, it’s important to maintain your certification by renewing it periodically and adhering to any reporting requirements set by the certifying body. Failure to do so can result in the loss of your certification status.
Benefits of Certification
Increased Opportunities: Certification can open doors to exclusive contracting opportunities with government agencies and corporations.
Networking: Access to networking events, trade shows, and matchmaking sessions designed to connect certified businesses with potential buyers.
Business Growth: Certification can lead to increased revenue and business growth by providing access to larger contracts and new markets.
Conclusion
Navigating the certification process can be challenging, but the benefits far outweigh the efforts. Certification can provide your diverse-owned business with the recognition and opportunities needed to thrive in the competitive world of government and corporate contracting. For a detailed guide on how to get started, Get my certification e-book course for $9.99 for a very limited time and please leave a review 🙏🏽 The Beginner's Guide to Government and Corporate Contracting.
Start by taking the Diversity Certification and Contracting Readiness Quiz! or Access Free E-Book
