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Email to a friendQuestion... Why do you need the certification? If your looking to be listed somewhere as a women owned business all you need to do is register with the SBA. (assuming your a small business) The Small Business Administration can then share your information with anyone looking for women owned businesses (if you allow them).
Posted by Terry Wilcox, Auburn, Washington | May 01, 2009
Getting Certified as a Woman-Owned Business
Does anyone have any experience or suggestions when it comes to getting a business certified as woman-owned? I've found a couple of national organizations online that provide certification, however I'm not sure which organization to select. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Terry
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Posted by Kristi Bennitt, Woodinville, Washington | May 02, 2009 -
Posted by Terry Wilcox, Auburn, Washington | May 04, 2009We are starting discussions with a government agency later this week and I was wondering if it would be a benefit to have a woman-owned business certification when submitting a RFP on a large government project. I have sent an email to my contact at SCORE, but haven't heard back from him. That's why I turned to this group to see if anyone here had any suggestions.
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Posted by Sarah Brand, Seattle, Washington | May 04, 2009How do you register with the SBA? I went online to check into this a few months ago but it seemed to require an immense about of information about the company and a hefty fee in order to be certified and seemed silly for my line of work so let it drop. I do think, however, it would be helpful as we have started going after larger contracts with governments (US and Canada). Thanks!
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Posted by Kristi Bennitt, Woodinville, Washington | May 04, 2009
Hi ladies,
There are two ways to register with the SBA. The first is to register with them directly. This, as you mentioned, can be expensive and a big hurdle for small businesses. The second way, which is how I did it, is to register through the ccr.gov as a government contractor (you'll need a DUNS number). If you qualify while registering in the ccr system you will automatically be taken to the SBA registration area to update your information and be listed in their database. As a government contractor you designate the size of your business and all of the parameters. The agencies are linked which makes it possible to skip the fees and still be registered. (Registering through ccr is free, but will take about a week.)
Hope this helps. Kristi
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Posted by Kristi Bennitt, Woodinville, Washington | May 04, 2009
If you have more questions about ccr, duns, or the process you can contact me and I'm more than happy to help.
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Posted by Terry Wilcox, Auburn, Washington | May 05, 2009
Thanks for the tip on CCR. I was given that information by another business owner, however I wasn't sure that certified women-owned businesses or not since I was referred to CCR by a male business owner.
I spoke with a representative from the Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprise today. He indicated that to get the State certification of WBE (Women's Business Enterprise), which is what he thought I would need for my business, it would cost $100 and take approximately 45 days. There is a State and Federal certification as well, which also cost $100 and takes approximately 90 days. He indicated that the Federal certification was primarily used for DOT contracts.
I haven't had a chance to read through all the required documentation for the WBE certification, however it may be a good certification to have for the cost, if the application is not too labor intensive.
Any feedback on WBE certification?
Terry
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Posted by Sarah Brand, Seattle, Washington | May 05, 2009
I would love to get your reference site as well if possible. I looked into what I thought was WBE certification and it was several hundred (I like $700) for it....If it is only $100 that is different.
In the interim I will totally check out this CCR thing- sounds very interesting. Thanks!
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Posted by Terry Wilcox, Auburn, Washington | May 05, 2009
The website is http://www.omwbe.wa.gov/certification/certification_applications.shtml - (Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprise)
FYI...I did ask someone that has her WBE certification and she said she hasn't seen a benefit to having the certification in the last 4 years. Even though companies say they want to support women and minority businesses, her experience has been that they make their vendor selection decisions based primarily on cost. She is in the promotion business, so I'm not sure her experience will translate to all businesses.
Terry
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Posted by Nancy Allin, Bellevue, Washington | May 05, 2009Hi,
The WBO, a Seattle area group did work on this a few years ago and was developing tools for their members to have support and help thru the process. It didn't really apply to my business so I've haven't tracked it on where they have taken it. I would suggest giving them a call and asking about it: http://www.womenbusinessowners.org/doc/about.htm
Let me know if this is helpful for you.
Nancy
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Posted by Terry Wilcox, Auburn, Washington | May 05, 2009
Thanks Nancy...I'll give WBO a call. I've attended a couple of their networking events, but haven't yet joined WBO. I wonder if you have to be a member to get assistance or additional information on something like certification. I guess I'll find out when I call.
Terry
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