Berks County Women-Owned Business Spotlights

By Kristi

Has certification made a positive impact on your business growth?

WBENC certification as a diversity supplier gives us a competitive advantage, allowing Gage to become a top choice for corporations seeking not only supplier diversity initiatives, but also more creative solutions within staffing, search and consulting markets.

As a locally owned WBENC certified small business, our local team of experts is empowered to move more quickly than our competitors and respond to our customers’ needs in real time. When our clients are successful, we are successful!

Our WBENC Certification also allows many of our clients to receive tax incentives and rewards from the federal government , as well as benefit from innovation, resources and the capabilities of a local business that can adapt to each new market, making a positive impact for both Gage and our partners.

What advice would you give an owner that is considering getting certified as womenowned business?

Becoming WBENC Certified is a great opportunity for new partnerships, which allows businesses to share several benefits with their clients and partners — including tax incentives, resources, new connections, innovation, access to new goods and services, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and more.

Keep in mind that the certification process does take some time. You will submit formal documentation to validate that at least 51% of a business is owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman or women. Despite the effort, the benefits of certification are worth it. CQ

About WBENC

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Certification is one of the most widely recognized national certifications for women-owned businesses in the United States, allowing womenowned businesses to gain increased visibility within corporate and government supply chains.

For more information about WBENC certification, visit the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council website at wbenc.org.

Benefits of Working with a Women-Owned Business

As a certified women-owned business, you will have access to supplier diversity and procurement executives at hundreds of major corporations and government entities that accept WBENC Certification, which opens those channels for you. As a result, you have more options to make the best choices for your company, and the opportunity to build strong relationships with diverse suppliers to benefit your bottom line.

The advantages don’t stop there:

• Partnering with a certified women-owned business can be a part of your company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, offering excellent publicity and helping you attract talented employees who want to work for a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion.

• Diversity breeds innovation and certification is one way that a small business can differentiate itself in a competitive marketplace.

• The extensive resources and capabilities that come with being a certified business, along with the agility of a small company, will empower your business to pivot as needed and adopt new methods and technologies that benefit customers.

• The federal tax incentive program that rewards companies who do business with women-owned and other minority-owned businesses.

- American Crane, Berks County WBENC certified business