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FAQs
WBE Certification
How can I be certified as a women-owned business?
Complete the application online. Applications cannot be faxed.
What happens once I submit my online application for certification?
Upon receipt of your non-refundable application fee, your application and supporting documentation are reviewed by the Certification Team for completeness and then reviewed by the Certification Committee. The Certification Committee meets once a month and is composed of volunteer members who have a vested interest in certifying genuine Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs). Upon review by the committee, a site visit is performed and a determination is made to certify or deny the application.
Applicants that do not submit all supporting documentation will experience delays in the certification process.
If certified, you will receive membership information and a certificate in the mail. The entire process takes up to 90 days, depending on the completeness of your application.
What if my application is denied?
A denied application indicates the business does not meet the national requirements of being woman-owned. An appeals process is in place through which denied applicants can exercise their right to be heard in front of the WBCS Appeals Committee. An applicant has 30 days from the date of the receipt of the decision to file an appeal. Following a review by the Appeals Committee, a final decision is made. If the denial is upheld, applicants have a second remedy through the national WBENC appeal process.
Who accepts the WBCS certification?
Companies from across the United States accept the WBCS nationally recognized WBENC certification. Visit our national organization's (WBENC) website at http://www.wbenc.org to view a listing. WBEs interested in doing business with the State of Texas are now able to apply for the required HUB certification through the WBCS (at no additional cost) along with the national WBE certification we already provide.
How much does certification cost?
The processing fees are based on the revenue amount submitted on your application.
Revenue < $1M - $300
Revenue $1M to $5M - $500
Revenue $5M to $10M - $750
Revenue > $10M - $1,000
This fee covers the cost to be certified and serves as your membership fee in the organization as well.
Why do I need to be certified?
Many of the nation's private and public corporations and government entities have a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) Goals program. WBE's must meet a standard and be certified as such before contracts with them can be counted towards meeting the program goal. As a "Certified" WBE you have an additional marketing tool to get you in the door for consideration by major corporations throughout the country.
How long will my certification last?
Members are sent a recertification packet 90 days prior to expiration. All recertifications are reviewed annually and recertification is not automatic.
In what region does the WBCS certify?
The WBCS certifies women-owned businesses in: Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and central and north Texas. There are 13 other WBENC affiliates that cover the rest of the nation. Refer to the list of WBENC regional partner organizations.
The WBCS certifies women-owned businesses in: Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and central and north Texas. There are 13 other WBENC affiliates that cover the rest of the nation. Refer to the list of WBENC regional partner organizations.
Once I'm certified, what do I do to become a member of the WBCS?
Our certified WBEs are automatic members of the WBCS and entitled to full benefits.
What are the benefits of WBE Membership?
Benefits for WBE Members
Benefits for WBE Members
- National WBENC Certification assures potential clients of your WBE status.
- National WBENC Internet Database Listing provides contact information about your company that can be accessed by potential clients nationwide.
- Procurement Events such as the Round-Up trade fair, allow opportunities to make business contacts and gather information.
- Access to Corporate WBE Programs encourages WBEs to compete for contracts.
- Networking Events throughout the year provide additional opportunities to develop business relationships.
- Individual Appointments with Sustaining Members whose procurement needs are specifically matched with your capabilities.
- Educational Programs conducted in collaboration with nationally recognized experts in small business management keep you informed.
- A Mentoring Program matches WBEs with other WBEs for short-term, goal-specific mentoring.
- A bi-monthly Table Topics Luncheon Series gives WBEs a forum to share information and gain advice from peers about all aspects of running and growing a successful business.
- Parade of Stars Awards Gala recognizes outstanding WBE and Sustaining Members.
- Regional Directory of Certified WBEs and Sustaining Members throughout the four-state region lists important contact information.
- Done Deals™ program advertises the business conducted between WBE and Sustaining Members and tracks the total dollar amount.
- Opportunity to participate in national WBENC conferences and recognition events.
- Educational and networking events in cities throughout our four-state region.
What is a WBE?
"WBE" is an acronym for Women's Business Enterprise. This is a woman-owned business that is 51 percent or more owned, controlled and operated by women and has received WBENC certification.
What is the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)?
"WBENC" is an acronym for Women's Business Enterprise National Council (pronounced "wee bank"). This is the national organization that sets the certification standards and procedures administered by WBCS. Through WBENC, your certification is recognized nationwide.
How can I get corporations to do business with me?
The WBCS is not a "magic wand" for creating business deals, nor is your certification a guarantee for immediate business. The WBCS does its best to provide you access to corporate procurement decision-makers and facilitate relationship building with procurement representatives. Every event, program and tool that the WBCS provides to you, has the purpose of increasing your procurement opportunities. People do business with people they know, so get involved in Council activities, committees, events and programs. The relationships can begin there and blossom into business deals.
Is the WBCS the same as the Minority Supplier Development Council?
The two organizations are similar in that we both provide national certification programs. However, the WBCS provides memberships and certification to women business owners, and the Minority Council provides its services to ethnic minority-owned businesses. We have numerous WBE members that are also certified through the DFW Minority Supplier Development Council as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).
How can I do more business with WBEs?
Whether you're a Corporate or WBE member, the Council can help you do more business with WBEs. People do business with people they know, so get involved in Council activities, committees, events and programs. The relationships can begin there and blossom into business deals. It happens every day with our members.
What events and programs does the WBCS offer?
It's all about networking and building relationships. The WBCS offers a variety of events and programs for members and non-members. Check out the upcoming events and the various programs that are available.
What is a Corporate Member?
A Corporate Member includes corporations, businesses, government entities, institutions and other organizations that support the WBCS through annual membership. We refer to them as Sustaining Members since they sustain the Council through their membership dues and sponsorships. Our Corporate Members are dedicated to buying products and services from Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs). Refer to the Corporate Member list.
A Corporate Member includes corporations, businesses, government entities, institutions and other organizations that support the WBCS through annual membership. We refer to them as Sustaining Members since they sustain the Council through their membership dues and sponsorships. Our Corporate Members are dedicated to buying products and services from Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs). Refer to the Corporate Member list.
Why do corporations become members of the WBCS?
Many corporations have supplier diversity initiatives requiring that a percentage of their procurement dollars be spent with WBEs. WBCS provides the premier WBENC certification that corporations need in order to verify your status as a woman-owned business. In addition, the events, networking and database of the Council provide corporations with access to a pool of certified WBEs offering a myriad of goods and services to meet their procurement needs. The WBCS provides an avenue for meeting and developing mutually beneficial relationships with potential suppliers.
What are the benefits of Corporate Membership?
- Access to the WBENC national standard of WBE Certification with stringent guidelines
- Database of certified WBEs and corporate member contacts throughout our four-state region
- WBCS Web site link to your company's Web site
- Conferences and workshops that offer WBEs assistance on doing business with your corporation
- Networking functions that cultivate relationships with WBEs
- Individual appointments with suppliers specifically matched to your procurement needs
- Sponsorship opportunities at major events
- Recognition for Done Deals™ and excellence in supplier diversity
- Active participation in WBCS certification, program development and activities that further your women's business development initiatives
- Sharing Best Practices in Corporate Supplier Diversity
What is a WBE?
- "WBE" is an acronym for Women Business Enterprise - a woman-owned business that has received WBENC certification.
What is WBENC (pronounced wee-bank)?
- "WBENC" is an acronym for Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the national organization that sets the certification standards and procedures administered by WBCS. Through WBENC, your WBCS certification is recognized nationwide.
How can I get corporations to do business with me?
- The WBCS is not a "magic wand" for creating business deals, but we will provide you access to corporate procurement decision-makers. Every event, program, and tool that the WBCS provides to you, has the purpose of increasing your procurement opportunities. People do business with people they know, so get involved in Council activities, committees, events, and programs. The relationships can begin there and blossom into business deals. It happens every day with our members. Click here to see some of the Done Deals™ that have been done this month! Click here if you're interested in serving on one of our committees.
Is the WBCS the same as the Minority Business Council?
- The two organizations are similar in that we both provide national certification programs. However, the Women's Business Council - Southwest provides memberships and certification to women business owners, and the Minority Council provides its services to ethnic minority-owned businesses.
What is a Done Deal and why is the Council so interested in them?
- A Done Deal is any business deal done between members of the Council (Corporate to WBE or WBE to WBE). Done Deals are vital to the Council to track how we are achieving our Mission - to increase procurement opportunities between WBEs and Sustaining Members.
What are the benefits of participating by turning in a done deal?
- Internal Benefits – Recognition for helping to meet your company's diversity goals
- Peer Recognition – Showing that your diversity program "means business"
- Publicity – Detailed descriptions of the business you're doing with WBEs
- Media Coverage – The Council will publicize those corporations who support the program and do business with WBEs
I’ve heard the Done Deals program changed in 2008, in what ways?
The Done Deals program has grown wildly over the past eight years. With 25,000 deals reported in 2007, the format changed to one that is easier to read and highlights the “big picture”. The 2nd Generation of Done Deals looks more like a newsletter with interesting, detailed articles about business being done between members. Articles fall into specific categories, such as “Multi-Year Contracts”, “First Time Business Deals” and “Mega Done Deals”. There are 12 categories within which you can report your deals (WBE/WBE or Corp/WBE). Additionally, total spend numbers (reported by Sustaining Members only) are announced each quarter giving readers a chance to see the “big picture” of the business our corporations are doing with WBEs.
What do I need to do differently?
Sustaining Members - Starting in January 2008, designate a person in your company to submit quarterly WBE spend numbers between you and local, certified WBEs. The WBCS will provide an easy form to use to provide this information.
Sustaining Members AND WBEs – You can email your done deals (WBE/WBE or Corp/WBE) details to dluna@wbcsouthwest.org. Keep in mind, the reporting process will be simplified, but the deals you report will need to fit into the categories provided. You will get to provide detailed information, i.e., quotes, how the business originated, etc., so that the WBCS can write an interesting article. This process will soon be available online
What categories will I have to choose from when submitting my deals?
- Mega Done Deals (deals/contracts $500K and up)
- Ongoing Business Done Deals (3+ years that has expanded recently)
- Multi-Year Contracts (new contract for more than one year)
- ACE Done Deals (deals within the Architecture, Construction or Engineering industries)
- FAST Done Deals (deals within the Fuel, Shipping or Transportation industries)
- Done Deals resulting from WBCS events/meetings (parties met originally or furthered their business relationship through WBCS)
- First Time Business Done Deals (NEW deals $5K and up)
- Preferred Supplier (chosen as a “PS” by a Sustaining Member)
- New WBE Breakthrough Done Deal (deal with a WBE certified one year or less)
- Your Top 10 Done Deal (in the top 10 of deals in your company’s history)
- Done Deal with a WBE Strategic Alliance
- Done Deal was a result of WBCS certification in the past year
What if my deal doesn’t fit into one of the categories?
- Please do not submit a deal that does not fit into one of the categories. These categories have been defined by the Done Deals Committee, but we are always looking for new category ideas. Please send your suggestions to dluna@wbcsouthwest.org.
What if the company I am doing business with does not want this published, don't they need to approve it first?
- Most done deals are reported without both parties being aware of it. However, once it is reported, BOTH parties are contacted to approve the wording. The Council will NEVER publish a done deal unless both parties agree. You don't have to worry about the approval, just report the details and we’ll take care of the rest!
What if my deal isn't a result of being a Council member (i.e., we didn't meet at a Council event)?
- All deals are important and can result in more business for WBEs. If the deal or the relationship was conceived during a Council event, please include that information. But if not, your deal is still important to report. You never know what other benefits will be realized just by getting the word out that you do business with WBEs!
What is a Done Deal and why is the Council so interested in them?
- A Done Deal is any business deal done between members of the Council (Corporate to WBE or WBE to WBE). Done Deals are vital to the Council to track how we are achieving our Mission - to increase procurement opportunities between WBEs and Sustaining Members.
What are the benefits of participating by turning in a done deal?
- Publicity – Detailed descriptions of the business you're doing, it helps people learn about your company's niche in the market
- You can support the Council and get your company's name out there at the same time!
I’ve heard the Done Deals program changed in 2008, in what ways?
- The Done Deals program has grown wildly over the past eight years. With 25,000 deals reported in 2007, the format changed to one that is easier to read and highlights the “big picture”. The 2nd Generation of Done Deals looks more like a newsletter with interesting, detailed articles about business being done between members. Articles fall into specific categories, such as “Multi-Year Contracts”, “First Time Business Deals” and “Mega Done Deals”. There are 12 categories within which you can report your deals (WBE/WBE or Corp/WBE). Additionally, total spend numbers (reported by Sustaining Members only) are announced each quarter giving readers a chance to see the “big picture” of the business our corporations are doing with WBEs.
What do I need to do differently?
- Sustaining Members AND WBEs – You can email your done deals (WBE/WBE or Corp/WBE) details to dluna@wbcsouthwest.org. Keep in mind, the reporting process will be simplified, but the deals you report will need to fit into the categories provided. You will get to provide detailed information, i.e., quotes, how the business originated, etc., so that the WBCS can write an interesting article. This process will soon be available online.
Do WBEs submit total spend numbers with Corporate (Sustaining) Members anymore?
- No. In simplifying the process, the committee determined it was advantageous for the Sustaining Members to submit this information quarterly because many of them are already doing so and this simplifies the process for everyone.
What categories will I have to choose from when submitting my deals?
- Mega Done Deals (deals/contracts $500K and up)
- Ongoing Business Done Deals (3+ years that has expanded recently)
- Multi-Year Contracts (new contract for more than one year)
- ACE Done Deals (deals within the Architecture, Construction or Engineering industries)
- FAST Done Deals (deals within the Fuel, Shipping or Transportation industries)
- Done Deals resulting from WBCS events/meetings (parties met originally or furthered their business relationship through WBCS)
- First Time Business Done Deals (NEW deals $5K and up)
- Preferred Supplier (chosen as a “PS” by a Sustaining Member)
- New WBE Breakthrough Done Deal (deal with a WBE certified one year or less)
- Your Top 10 Done Deal (in the top 10 of deals in your company’s history)
- Done Deal with a WBE Strategic Alliance
- Done Deal was a result of WBCS certification in the past year
What if my deal doesn’t fit into one of the categories?
- Please do not submit a deal that does not fit into one of the categories. These categories have been defined by the Done Deals Committee, but we are always looking for new category ideas. Please send your suggestions to dluna@wbcsouthwest.org.
What if the company I am doing business with does not want this published – don't they need to approve it first?
Most done deals are reported without both parties being aware of it. However, once it is reported, BOTH parties are contacted to approve the wording. The Council will NEVER publish a done deal unless both parties agree. You don't have to worry about the approval, just report the details and we’ll take care of the rest
What if my deal isn't a result of being a Council member (we didn't meet at a Council event)?
- All deals are important and can result in more business for WBEs. If the deal or the relationship was conceived during a Council event, please include that information. But if not, your deal is still important to report. You never know what other benefits will be realized just by getting the word out that you do business with WBEs!