By Liz Kudwa
A: You heard right – it is possible for a woman owned business to become certified. The certification means that you are an official Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).
A WBE is an independent business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens; whose business formation and principal place of business are in the US or its territories; and whose management and daily operation is controlled by one or more of the women owners. This certification is done through the Michigan Women’s Business Council (MWBC), which is a certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a national, certifying body recognized by major American corporations. The Michigan Women’s Business Council is a program of the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED), an SBA Women’s Business Center.
The WBENC certification for women-owned businesses is one of the most widely recognized and respected certifications in the nation. Accepted by thousands of corporations within the country and a number of federal and government agencies, the WBENC certification will be an important marketing tool for expanding your company’s visibility among decision makers in corporate supply chain diversity and procurement.
There is no size of business or length of time in business requirement for WBENC certification and fees are determined by each regional partner organization based on the specific markets served. You should contact the local CEED office in Ann Arbor directly to determine applicable fees. You can reach them via phone at 734-677-1400 or via email at info@miceed.org. This is a non-refundable processing fee, even if the applicant does not complete their paperwork or fails to be certified.
The certification process is as follows: A business entity submits an application, along with the necessary supporting documentation and non-refundable processing fee. Each Regional Partner Organization has a trained Certification Committee that meets on a monthly basis. Once the applicant’s file is complete (meaning all documentation pertinent to the business and legal structure has been received), it will go to the Committee for review. An on-site visit is conducted, generally during the 30-day window between Committee meetings. At the meeting following the site visit, a final recommendation is made regarding the applicant’s eligibility. If certification is granted, the company’s assigned contract will receive an auto-email telling them that they have been certified and may now access their certificate online. A formal letter will also be mailed.
For more details on the certification process, or just to learn more about these great organizations for women business owners, visit www.wbenc.org or www.miceed.org.
Elizabeth Kudwa is the Business Reference Librarian at the Capital Area District Library located at 401 S. Capitol Avenue in Lansing, MI. Contact her at 517-589-9400 or by e-mail at kudwae@cadl.org.
