May 12, 2010

How to Become a Certified Woman-Owned Business

 


How to Become a Certified Women-Owned Business: The Application Process

Once you have gathered all the necessary information and paperwork, you'll need to submit it all to the appropriate agency for review. Harris-Lange says that as long as all the required elements are there, it doesn't really matter how it's submitted, but it will help expedite the process if you've created some organizational method for assembling the information. A binder with dividers is a good way to keep everything organized, she says. It's important to follow the instructions of the agency or organization through which you are applying. Also, make sure that you keep copies of everything you've submitted. In most cases, you will be able to submit a photocopy of a document and keep the original for your own files.

Once you've turned in your application, it will go to a review committee. At NWBOC, the review committee is comprised of at least one attorney and one CPA, along with other business professionals. Harris-Lange says matters of confidentiality are taken very seriously. At NWBOC, a potential applicant will be contacted if there is something missing or incomplete in their application. Expect the review process to take on average four to six weeks. If everything in the application is complete the first time around, the process could be as quick as three weeks.

In addition to the paper part of the application, be prepared for an in-person interview, when a committee from the certification agency or organization will conduct a site visit at your place of business. The purpose of the site visit is for the committee to observe how the business is run, and verify that there is in fact a woman at the helm. "We have a rigid review system, and we don't want to scare women, but we have to feel comfortable that we can approve them as a women-owned business enterprise so we come and see for ourselves," says Harris-Lange.

You don't have to prepare anything for this site visit; the committee wants to see business as usual. For Mobley, the interview part was a little daunting, but after going through it, her advice is to have confidence in yourself. "We had nothing to hide because Insight is 100 percent women-owned," say Mobley. "The interview process is necessary because they really do vet out those companies that don't meet the ownership criteria. At that point, you don't want to try to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, because you're not going to make it."

After the site visit team has met with all the owners, the report from the visit gets added to the application materials. At NWBOC, the review committee meets one final time to make their determination, and if the business gets awarded certification, they will receive a certificate that states their new status as a women-owned business enterprise.

If for some reason there is a discrepancy with your application and you are denied certification, the NWBOC allows you 30 days after the time of notification to appeal the decision. The NWBOC will always provide the reasons for denial. You then have to wait one year before you can apply again. However, Harris-Lange says there has only been one time in the history of NWBOC that a business owner went through the entire process and was denied.

Dig Deeper: Women in Business


How to Become a Certified Women-Owned Business: Once You're Certified

Congratulations! You made it through the certification process. Now it's time to use the distinction to your advantage. According to business owners who have their certification, there is a lot of potential to grow your business through this avenue, but you can't just sit back and expect the business to come to you. Mobley says the best way to get word out that you are certified is to contact local, state, and national certification agencies and ask to get put on their mailing list. Often, big companies and government agencies will send out RFPs through organizations like the NWBOC and the WBENC and your company will receive an e-mail blast about any upcoming project opportunities. When you get certified through NWBOC, you automatically become part of the organization's database, in which a wide range of buyers have access. Additionally, Mobley says Insight makes mention that they are a certified women-owned enterprise on their marketing and promotional materials, which is an easy way to let potential customers know about your distinction.

Lastly, once you are certified you have to maintain the certification by applying for renewal every year. If you don't renew your certification every year, it will expire after that first year. Thankfully, the renewal process is much simpler and streamlined compared to the initial application. The process can be done online for the NWBOC. Check with your certification agency for their renewal procedures. No additional information is required for re-certification, unless the structure, ownership, or name of your business has changed during that year. The application and affidavit must then be filed with the most recent tax return for the business. Make sure that you allow ample time before your expiration date to send in the recertification materials. Harris-Lange's most crucial piece of advice to business owners is not to get lazy about the renewal process, because if your certification expires you have to start the application process all over again. "If you have your certification, value it enough to keep it up to date," she says.

Dig Deeper: National Association of Women Business Owners


How to Become a Certified Women-Owned Business: Resources

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
NAWBO is a national membership-based organization representing the interests of the more than 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States.

Small Business Association's Office of Government Contracting
The SBA's Office of Government Contracting works to encourage maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards.

National Women Business Owners Corporation Database
The NWBOC has an online procurement marketplace where buyers can search the pool of certified WBEs, and where WBEs can make connections and secure procurement leads.

WomenBiz.gov
A list of key resources and links to websites of organizations whose interests are aligned with the needs of women-owned businesses.
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