{"id":9172,"date":"2021-10-26T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-26T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rangeme.com\/blog\/?p=9172"},"modified":"2022-04-12T14:05:40","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T22:05:40","slug":"why-being-wbenc-certified-is-the-start-of-so-much-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rangeme.com\/blog\/why-being-wbenc-certified-is-the-start-of-so-much-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Being WBENC-Certified Is the Start of So Much More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Significant disparity still exists in revenue and capital between women-owned businesses and others. The 2019 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report<\/a> reported that there were approximately 13 million women-owned companies in the U.S., representing 42% of all businesses<\/a>. However, that number has likely decreased due to COVID-19-related business impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where the Women\u2019s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)<\/a> and WBENC<\/a> Certification is helping to bridge the gap, and why becoming WBENC-Certified is more important than ever. Being a WBENC-Certified women-owned business can pay off in spades, especially if you take the time to get involved, educated, and engaged with the many programs and networking opportunities throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WBENC is the most widely recognized and respected certification for women-owned businesses in the U.S. More than 1,000 corporations and federal, state, and local government entities accept WBENC Certification as the gold standard, confident that WBENC has vetted each business and ensures that they meet the required criteria. From there, the sky’s the limit in the form of formal and informal opportunities to connect with WBENC National Corporate and Government Members<\/a> and other WBENC-Certified Women\u2019s Business Enterprises (WBEs). Certified WBEs can participate in year-round business, networking and education opportunities offered by WBENC and partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is the WBENC 2016 Summit & Salute in Phoenix.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWBENC has a great value product \u2013 they deliver great programs, they have a great service model, and just truly understand and want to get to know us better as a Corporate Member.\u201d<\/p>Theresa Harrison, Global Environmental Social Governance Services Leader, EY<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

WBENC hosts year-round virtual and in-person events and programs, including networking, procurement and grant opportunities, mentorship, executive education, business enhancement training programs of all kinds, and many other tools and resources. The community of support that exists for WBEs is immense, with like-minded female business owners and other professionals coming together to help each other grow and thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WBENC<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Together, WBEs use their collective voice to break through barriers for women business owners that affect economic growth and advancement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What It Means to be Certified as a WBE and WOSB<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Support<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

WBENC Certification confirms that a business has undergone a thorough vetting process<\/a>, including review of business documentation<\/a> and a site visit, and subsequently has been established by WBENC that the business is <\/strong>at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. Certification requires that one or more women have unrestricted control of the business, demonstrated management of day-to-day operations, and a proportionate investment of capital or expertise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Businesses that achieve certification as a WBENC-Certified WBE attest to the value in undergoing the process and unlocking the extensive benefits and access that can raise your business profile and position you and your business for success.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing a WBENC-Certified WBE is the sole reason that Tempagenix has had the success we have experienced to date. Being on Walmart.com and now in-store at over 1,700 Target locations was made possible through relationships with the Supplier Diversity contacts and WBENC MatchMaker opportunities. We have also met many other WBEs whose advice and support have connected us for many other opportunities.\u201d<\/p>Shelly Heller, Co-Founder at Tempagenix LLC<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

WBENC is also an approved third-party certifier for the Small Business Association (SBA) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting program. Women-owned businesses that apply for WBENC Certification can simultaneously apply for WOSB certification<\/a> through WBENC. WOSB certification makes a business eligible to compete for federal contracts in industries where women-owned businesses are underrepresented, in order to help provide a level playing field for women business owners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Started Toward Certification<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"become<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The process to become WBENC-Certified<\/a> is not difficult, but it can be time consuming to gather the documentation required your first time through the process. Don’t worry, recertification, which must be done yearly, is a much easier process! The effort businesses put into achieving certification is well worth it, as our WBEs have told us repeatedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To achieve certification as a WBE, a women-owned business will go through a documentation process and also a site visit with one of 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs)<\/a> based on where the company is headquartered. The 14 RPOs, spread throughout the country, are WBENC partners who are authorized to administer WBENC Certification. The documentation process includes thorough review of business documentation, including documents relevant to ownership, financial structure, personnel, management, and governance. The business itself is certified, not the individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get started, first review the WBENC Certification Process<\/a> and determine 1) whether your business meets the eligibility criteria, and 2) that certification is right for you and your company. To be eligible to apply for certification, the business must have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n