Opening Doors For Women Business Owners

1. Women’s Business Enterprise Council - Great Lakes Opening Doors For Women Business Owners A Regional Partner of . . .

2. Agenda • Women’s Business Enterprise Council– Great Lakes (WBEC-GL) – Introduction • WBENC National Certification Standards • Value of nationally recognized certification • 2012: WBEC-Great Lakes Events

3. WBEC - Great Lakes One of the 14 Regional Partners of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), providing nationally recognized certification and procurement opportunities. The WBEC – Great Lakes has cultivated more than 50 corporate members and 700+ certified women business owners. WBEC-Great Lakes serves the Indiana and Michigan markets

4. WBENC National Standard Criteria For Certification- • 51% ownership by a woman or women • Proof of effective management control of the business operations • Independence • US Citizenship or Permanent Resident

5. WBENC National Standard Criteria For Certification- 51% ownership by a woman or women • Provide proof of ownership: • - Cancelled check, money order • - Equipment purchased • - Birth certificate of all owners • Verification of ownership is on you and must be relative to the % in which you are claiming.

6. WBENC National Standard Criteria For Certification- Proof of effective management of the business Operation • By-laws, hire-fire and other decision-making role. • Must hold the highest position in the business • Have final authority to make financial decision

7. WBENC National Standard Criteria For Certification-The Control of the business • Evidenced by signature role on loans, leases and contracts • Must be able to sign documents without restrictions • Documentation will be required to support information provided in your application: Proof of capital investment, birth certificate, resume, articles of incorporation, minutes of meeting, financials, promissory notes, leases. etc.

8. Certification Application Process Apply at WBENC.ORG The woman business application submitted online and additional documentation submitted. PRELIMINARY REVIEW A preliminary review is done by the Certification Program Manager to ensure the file is complete APPLICANT FILE REVIEWED WBE applicant file is reviewed by one or more Certification Review Committee (CRC) Members SITE VISIT CONDUCTED One or more CRC members conduct a site visit at applicant’s business office COMMITTEE VOTE CRC members recommend certification or denial to WBEC Great Lakes President RECOMMENDATION BY CERTIFICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE • RECOMMENDATION FORDENIAL • Review by WBEC - Great Lakes President • Upholds recommendation for denial, or, • Approves certification • WBE applicant request an appeal in writing RECOMMENDATION FOR CERTIFICATION WBEC - Great Lakes President approves & certifies Annual Recertification

9. Value of WBENC Certification • WBENC certification is the premiere women’s business certification in the country. • More than 1000 companies and government entities throughout the United States recognize the WBENC national certification. • Have a MOU with the State of Indiana.

10. Value of WBENC Certification • Access to a current list of supplier diversity and procurement executives • Automatic inclusion in WBENCLink an internet database of certified WBE’s • Use of the WBENC seal on your marketing materials • Discount participation in regional WBEC-Great Lakes events • Monthly CEED Newsletter

11. Value of WBENC Certification • The Federal Government has recognized the use of the WBENC certification for the women owned business federal procurement set-asides in the 83 purchasing areas that are under-represented by women. • Is an approved third-party certifier for the Small Business Administration’s Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. • Currently, 11,000 women business owners hold this certification.

12. Certification Profile • WBEC Great Lakes services 754 of the 11,000 WBEs nationally • Average 2011 WBE annual revenue $9.5 million •  Average WBE has 40 employees   2011 Growth Rate 3% • 2011 Recertification Rate 90%

13. Certification Profile • Professional 29% • Manufacturing 16% • Other 13% • Services 9% • Distribution 8% • Finance 8% • Construction 7% • Transportation 6% • Retail 4%

14. Cummins Duke Realty Eli Lilly Fifth Third Bank Honda Indiana University Health IUPUI Marathon Oil Messer Construction Vectren Sallie Mae Indiana Corporate Members

15. 2012 Events • Provide Training to WBE’s • Offer “Maximizing Your Certification” Workshop on-line • Offer Educational Series • Increase Procurement Opportunities • Increase government procurement opportunities through certification acceptance: State MOU, SBA-WOSB • 2nd Annual Awards Luncheon – August 22, 2012 • Corporate Connections Matchmaker Event in Indianapolis • Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference and Expo • Women’s Leadership Institute Conference • WBEC-GL Regional Conference October 8th & 9th Detroit, MI

16. Regional Events 2nd Annual Indiana Award Luncheon & Corporate Connections August 22, 2012• IUPUI Campus Center, Indianapolis, Indiana New events to Indiana: Women’s Leadership Conference

17. Q&A Thank you! Michelle House, Certification Program Manager WBEC – Great Lakes 617 Indiana Avenue, Ste. 320 Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 710-0684 mhouse@miceed.org