In Business / February 2006
Enterprising Women Greet WBE
 Judy K. Sheppard
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Judy K. Sheppard, President of Professional Services of America, Inc., of Parkersburg, has just announced the formation of the Women’s Business Enterprise of the West Virginia and Kentucky Region. There are over 5,000 certified WBEs registered in the United States. Judy and her company were certified in 1999.
Impressed and inspired by the women she met during the certification process, Judy has working for the past six years toward bringing a local chapter of the WBE to West Virginia to benefit the other women business owners. She says, “Becoming a certified WBE isn’t easy, but it is enormously rewarding, personally, professionally and financially. The quality and the kind of contacts that a woman in business can make because of their WBE status is simply invaluable.”
Judy says women may be daunted at first by the amount of documentation required in the process. “But it is essential that every WBE meet the same exacting requirements so that the integrity of the certification can be maintained. A Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) is an independent business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more of the women owners. Being certified as a WBE means that a business concern has gone though a rigorous and stringent certification process that confirms the business is owned, managed and controlled by a women or women. Major corporations look for qualified WBE’s to do business. They must be assured that their partners have the necessary credentials. The great benefit to the woman business owner is that being a qualified WBE opens doors for her that she could never open by herself. ”
The national organization has regional partners in Oregon, Massachusetts, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Washington, DC, New York, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona. Until now, West Virginia and Kentucky women business owners were managed through Columbus, Ohio.
Each year, the National Women’s Business Enterprise Council partner organizations process more than 6,000 applications for certification. That certification is accepted by nearly 700 corporations, representing America’s most prestigious brands, as well as local, state and federal government entities.
The average WBENC certified company has revenues of $7.5M, 48 employees and 12 years of experience. More than 60 WBE firms have revenues in excess of $100M. Six certified WBE companies have revenues in excess of $1B. “But,” Judy says, “WBE’s come in all sizes.”
More than l95 US corporations are active WBENC members and representatives of 36 corporations sit on their Board of Directors. To become a member, each corporation must have a supplier diversity program or be in the process of starting one. They must regularly seek Women Business Enterprise (WBE) suppliers.
According to Judy, “The goal of the council is to foster diversity incommerce with programs and policies designed to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers in the marketplace for women business owners. The organization works with representatives of corporations to encourage the utilization and expansion of supplier and vendor diversity programs.”
Requirements for certification are: 51% ownership by a woman or women; proof of an executive management role in the business such as operating positions, bylaws, hire/fire authority, and other decision making roles; control of the business as evidenced by signature role on loans, leases, and contracts, and U.S. citizenship or U.S. resident alien status. Judy says, “There are no size requirements for WBENC certification. The application cost is just $350. Owners must commit the time and effort necessary to prepare their documentation, but the process time is only about 90 days. A trained certification committee meets and reviews the completed application and an on-site visit to the business is conducted, followed by a recommendation from the certification committee. By participating in the process and being qualified, you join the ranks of the most amazing women you will ever have the chance to meet.”
In addition to Judy Sheppard of PSA, the local Women’s Business Enterprise Board of Directors are Debbie Cunningham, Evergreen Business Strategies; Angie Hollerich, Brass Ring Productions, Patsy Hardy, St. Joseph’s Hospital; Rejena Buckley, Dupont; Donna Felty, TEAM; Karen Facemyer, State of West Virginia; and Laquita Harris, Toyota.
For more information about becoming a certified women business owner or corporate sponsor, call 304 485-5655.
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Femme Fair 2006
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