We did it! Brigade Bookkeeping is officially a minority-owned business with the State of Florida’s Office of Supplier Diversity. As a Hispanic woman, I guess my company has always been minority-owned, but now, we made it official by getting certified.
Certification gives minority-owned firms access to apply for government contracts, it pairs minority-owned firms with mentors and offers training workshops and management guidance. Bottom line, getting certified is another great tool to grow your business.
The government offers certification programs to level the playing field for groups it believes are socially and economically disadvantaged. There is a process to applying for certification. This week, I want to take you through the steps we took to undergo certification:
- TYPES OF CERTIFICATION – There are a number of different certifications your company can apply for that can open doors to new business. The National Minority Supplier Development Council or NMSDC is one of them. The other is the Small Business Administration or SBA’s 8(a) program. Many states, such as Florida, also offer minority certification too.
- WHO IS CERTIFIED – In most cases, minorities, women and veterans, who own businesses, are encouraged to apply for certification. Companies such as Marriott and IBM are among the corporate members of the National Minority Supplier Development Council or NMSDC. In fact, more than 17,000 suppliers are on the organization’s minority-owned business database. Seventeen states and 25 cities also accept NMSDC certification, along with federal government agencies.
- ELIGIBILITY – NMSDC and the Small Business Administration or SBA offers certain groups, who demonstrate they have been subjected to bias or discrimination or are economically disadvantaged, a chance to apply for certification programs. The SBA has the 8(a) program. Groups who can apply for this certification include: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans. For a complete list of groups who qualify, log onto www.sba.gov.
- APPLICATION PROCESS – So how do you apply for certification? Check online at www.nmsdc.org to find which one of the NMSDC’s 37 regional councils to contact and submit an application form. You can apply for the SBA’s 8(a) minority certification program on-line at www.sba.gov. For both, you will have to provide documents to support your minority status. The NMSDC takes an extra step and will make a mandatory visit to your business to confirm the information on your application.
- COST – The cost to apply for certification can vary. The SBA 8(a) program is free. But the NMSDC program can run approximately $350 to $1,200 depending on where you live. But don’t let money stop you from applying. Certification opens doors to possibilities in the future.
I am a minority business owner and proud of it! The process to apply for minority status is a bit tedious, but well worth it. So go for it, start the process now!
Have a great week everyone!
