We are excited to announce that JDA Promo is now officially WBENC certified as a women-owned and operated business! So what exactly does that mean, and how does it benefit JDA and the clients who work with us?

What is WBENC certification?

To qualify for WBENC certification, a business must prove, among other things, that:

• Majority control/ownership (at least 51%) belongs to a woman.
• A woman holds the highest office in the company, and is active in daily management and strategic direction.

The certification process ensures that a business doesn’t have a woman at the helm in name (and shares) only. In the world of contracts, quotas and tax incentives, it’s not enough just to say that you’re a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE.) You need certification from an outside organization to prove it. Nina Kaufman said it best in this article for Entrepreneur.com.

“WBE Certification is akin to the UL seal of approval for electric appliances: The business has been “tested” and gives the purchaser comfort that a woman really does have the majority ownership and control of the company.” – Nina Kaufman

That’s where WBENC comes in. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) has been around since 1997, and is the largest third-party certifier of women-owned and operated businesses in the United States. Our president Kelly Vandiver worked with the WBENC regional partner in our area to make sure we met their rigorous standards. The whole process took 6 months (plus a site visit) to complete, and we provided mountains of paperwork and documentation along the way, but it’s finally official!

What does “WBENC-certified” mean for our company and our clients?

As a company, it opens the door for us to work with government entities and companies that are looking for diversity in their supply chain. We’ll  have the chance to meet with new prospective clients at strategic networking events hosted by WBENC. We’re also listed in WBENC’s exclusive online database which is searchable by WBENC’s corporate partners, which include heavy hitters like Bank of America, Facebook, and TOYOTA.  For our clients, this means that we’ve got the documentation to prove that you’re spending your marketing dollars with a certified WBE. This is huge if your company has a supplier diversity program, or if you’re trying to land a contract with a government agency! (Even if your company isn’t women-owned, using a 2nd tier contractor who is certified can improve your chances of getting the contract. We’ll be happy to provide proof of our certification to submit alongside your next bid if needed.) Working with a certified WBE could even mean additional tax credits and incentives that will improve your bottom line. (Talk to your CFO or CPA to find out what programs and credits might be available to you!)

We’re proud to be a women-owned and operated business.

Interested in working with us? Contact us today!