An often overlooked opportunity is partnering with a business certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). I’ll outline not only the certification process businesses go through to receive this, but also discuss some of the benefits companies can take advantage of when they partner with a WBENC-certified business.
I’ve worked in the staffing industry for over 20 years, and I can tell you that a wholly women-owned and operated business is rare. I learned about the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and immediately found the value in becoming certified by this nonprofit. (It’s a third-party certifier for the Women-Owned Small Businesses Federal Contracting Program through the U.S. Small Business Administration.)
“With many companies’ legal departments and boards facing calls to diversify, the expectations for their partners to do the same has increased.”
Founded in 1997, WBENC is the largest third-party certifier dedicated to helping expand business opportunities for women entrepreneurs by offering a nationally recognized certification for businesses owned, controlled and operated by women in the United States. In addition to certification, WBENC offers a wealth of resources to its members, including pitch opportunities, educational programming and access to over 300 of the nation’s largest and most successful corporations.
