My entrepreneurial journey has been anything but traditional—no formal business training, no college degree, and yet, here I am, leading a certified Minority, Woman, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE). Certification has been a key factor in my growth, providing not just opportunities but also invaluable business training along the way.
As an African American woman business owner, I often hear mixed feelings from others about getting certified. Some are eager to leverage their ethnicity or gender in business, while others prefer to succeed without relying on those factors. To them, I say: bravo! The beauty of entrepreneurship is the freedom to choose your path. For me, certification has been a smart business move, and that’s why I’m starting this newsletter—to share the nuances of running a certified business, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. I’ll also dive into what it’s like to go after business with prime contractors and, most importantly, how to make it work for you if you decide to go down this road.
How It Started
Becoming a certified business was not something I stumbled upon overnight. While I didn’t have formal business training, I also did not start with a college degree. My introduction to certified businesses came through working at a firm that was already certified. There, I learned crucial business lessons: the importance of networking, understanding every role within a company, and maintaining respect at all levels. These experiences laid the foundation for my own certification journey.
The Certification Journey
First, you need to decide if certification is right for your business. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of certification, but your business needs to be ready. That does not mean you should not pursue it—just make sure the timing is right.
For me, getting certified was not as tough as it might be for others. I had already managed certifications at my previous job, so I knew the time commitment and the paperwork involved. I also understood how to leverage the certification to win business. But make no mistake—certification is a journey, and I hope I can share a few tips to make your path a little smoother. Knowing what is involved upfront can save you a lot of headaches later.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Let’s get real about certification. It is often glorified as a golden ticket to success, but the reality is more complex. Here is the breakdown:
The Good
- Opening Doors: Certification can open doors to contracts and networking events that you would not have access to otherwise.
- Boosted Credibility: It adds serious credibility to your business, making you more attractive to big clients who value diversity.
- Getting Noticed: You will be listed in databases that companies and agencies actively search when they are looking to diversify their suppliers.
- Building Relationships: It’s not just about landing one contract—certification can help you build long-term partnerships that keep the business coming.
The Bad
- It is a Process: Getting certified is not quick. It takes time, and you will need to pull together a lot of paperwork.
- No Guarantees: Just because you are certified does not mean contracts will start pouring in. You still must hustle to land those deals (Read this twice for the people in the back).
- Industry Dependent: The benefits can really depend on your industry—some sectors just do not have as many opportunities for certified businesses.
The Ugly
- Risk of Being a Checkbox: Sometimes, companies just want to tick the diversity box without offering real opportunities. You’ve got to watch out for that.
- Keeping Up: Once you are certified, the work does not stop. There’s ongoing scrutiny and paperwork to maintain your status.
- Not a Golden Ticket: There is a myth that certification equals instant success, but the reality is, it is just one part of the puzzle. You have still got to work hard to make it pay off.
Certification isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a strategic tool that can propel your business forward – if you know how to use it. Certification is more than a business move – it is a commitment to leveling the playing field and claiming your space. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about getting certified, my goal is to share practice tips to turn challenges into opportunities and use lessons from my story as examples of the highs to the hurdles, so you can make empowered decisions for your business. Let’s dive in and navigate this journey together!