Being a certified woman business owner is a powerful tool to increase visibility and opportunities to help grow your business, as well as to increase equity and parity for all women business owners. The NAWBO Institute’s WBE and MWBE certification program is unique because it was created by certified women business owners for women business owners seeking certification. Also, the program not only validates your business as woman- and/or minority woman-owned through certification, but teaches you how to leverage it.
Hear from several of the certified women business owners behind this growing NAWBO Institute program, including Janet Kendall White, CEO of Berkshire Group Inc.; Bevan Evans, president of Evans Industries, Inc.; and Jeanette Armbrust, CEO of Greenlight Leadership Consulting Group. Molly Gimmel, CEO of Design To Delivery Inc and Lena Graham-Morris, chief strategy officer and chair of HORUS Academy are also part of the team of volunteer reviewers who review documentation and conduct interviews to help more women business owners get certified.
Janet Kendall White
Bevan Evans
Jeanette Armbrust
Why was being a certified woman business owner important to you and your business, and how have you benefitted?
Janet: “There were a few reasons why it was important to me to be certified. A client wanted to include me in an RFP and requested that I was certified, it has lent credibility to my business, it has opened doors to matchmaking opportunities that otherwise would not be there and relationships for partnerships, referral sources and clients.”
Bevan: “Although Evans Industries is not NAWBO certified, we are WBENC certified. As a B2B contract manufacturer, being certified gives my business an additional benefit when we are working with larger, multinational companies. It’s an added benefit that potentially helps our customers.”
Jeanette: “Certification was a game-changer for my business. Until then, I was having a hard time getting into the larger businesses in my area and winning RFP business. After my certification, I was able to secure two large contracts through the RFP process and that took my business to the next level.”
What inspired you to give your time and expertise to the NAWBO Institute’s certification program as a reviewer?
Janet: “Any way that I can help other women business owners and add value to NAWBO I am all in. Meeting other business owners during the process has been a joy and has also opened doors to mutually beneficial relationships. I also love promoting events and NAWBO to those I meet with.”
Bevan: “I wanted to be able to assist other women business owners with this important step as they move forward on their business journeys, and it gives me the opportunity to meet other business owners and to learn about their businesses.”
Jeanette: “I saw what being a certified woman-owned business did for the growth and trajectory of my own company, so I am a huge supporter of the certification program. I want to help other women use this tool to grow and scale their own businesses.”
How is the Institute’s program unique and why would you encourage WBOs of all sizes and industries to explore it?
Janet: “NAWBO is reaching its 50-year anniversary and is the organization that really represents women business owners, carrying that certification is a way to add credibility to your business while representing the organization. What you have to go through to get certified will help your business because all items asked for are important for you to have or do anyway.”
Bevan: “I believe that all WBOs can benefit from certification as it lends a legitimacy to the businesses that are a benefit to customers. Customers can be assured that a certified business has taken the proper steps to operate as an ongoing concern. It demonstrates that the ownership is taking the business seriously and has a significant stake in the ongoing success of the business. A NAWBO-certified business can also benefit the business and its customers through the ability to meet diversity requirements.”
Jeanette: “I firmly believe that women certifying other women-owned businesses through NAWBO certification is a smoother, easier and more collaborative approach. A lot of women are afraid of the process—they have heard the stories of how difficult it is. We want to take the fear out of the process, simplify it, be available to hand-hold if needed and encourage women to go for it.”
What’s your one best tip for those going through the NAWBO Institute certification process now or considering it?
Janet: “I have two—first, do it! Next would be that everything that is being asked for is important for your business so follow the process. Once you provide the information, the renewal will be easier and you will feel great about the accomplishment.”
Bevan: “My tip for going through the certification process is to make sure you have your documentation together. Find those bank statements. Find the Signature cards and loan documents. It takes some time, but in the end, not only will you be certified, but you will have learned or remembered how and why you’re doing what you’re doing. And that’s worth the effort.”
Jeanette: “Have a plan in place for how you are going to utilize the certification. It’s not a guarantee of business—there is no magic wand. You need to be purposeful and strategic about who and how you will move forward to get more business.”
Have Questions About NAWBO Institute Certification?
Certification Manager Kimberly Snodgrass would love to connect with you. Reach out to her to schedule time at [email protected].