Business Growth Insights from a Conversational Chat with Maria Gonzalez
Opening Doors for Small Businesses
For many diving into entrepreneurship, certifications for minority-owned businesses doesn’t seem critically important. During an educative Cafecito Power Break, Maria Gonzalez, the founder and principal of Supplier Diversity Consultants, argues that all businesses deserve to be certified, and there are many benefits small businesses—especially Latinx/Hispanic-owned companies—can gain from getting certified.
Understanding Supplier Diversity
Supplier diversity isn’t just a term. It’s the pursuit of diverse suppliers, including various minority groups such as MBEs, LGBTQBEs, WBEs, veterans, and more. These certifications serve as socioeconomic programs that open doors to numerous opportunities for small businesses. Maria emphasizes the crucial point that these programs exist not only at a federal level, but also at a state level, and even major corporations allocate funds for certified businesses; all the more reason why small business owners should too.
The Certifications: A Pathway to Success
Maria explains how having both MBEs’ and WBEs’ designations can greatly amplify opportunities for business owners. It’s not just about validation: certifications can offer vetting, paving the way for future partnerships and visibility in directories, networking events, and specialized training programs.
The Game-Changer: Leveling the Field
Many small business owners may also be surprised to find how helpful certifications are in leveling the playing field. State benchmarks allocate budgets for certified businesses, setting clear procurement guidelines that create avenues for collaborations, subcontracting, and services. By meeting the right requirements, small business owners can be introduced to a whole new world of opportunities thanks to these benchmarks and their guidelines.
Navigating the Certification Process
Getting a certification can be a lot of work; but thankfully, Maria offers an insightful roadmap for businesses seeking certifications. The process, although detailed, is free of charge for federal and state certifications, and she advises listeners to start by exploring state agencies. Maria also offers guidance on the process of sharing personal information during submission, and addresses fears around divulging sensitive details.
Expanding Horizons
It’s important to note that certifications aren’t confined to a single state or federal domain. Meaning, once certified in one location, businesses can expand their certifications across different states or territories, amplifying their reach and opportunities for growth.
Overcoming Misconceptions and Taking Action
There’s a belief that small businesses must reach a certain size to apply for a certification, one that Maria proves wrong. She highlights that even a small business run by a single person can qualify for certifications as long as they are able to meet ownership and minority group criteria. She emphazies the importance of utilizing all available resources like LinkedIn insights or her consultancy’s vast archive of information.
A Community of Support and Embracing Opportunities Ahead
It’s clear how important supporting each other is within communities like United Latinas. Collaboration and shared knowledge give us the chance to unlock possibilities and grow alongside other entrepreneurs.
The podcast conversation between Maria and Ilhiana sheds light on a path that is often overlooked by many small business owners. Certifications may have seem irrelevant or out of reach, but ultimately we learn that they serve as key tools to open doors, level the fields, and unlock the true potential of minority-owned businesses in a diverse marketplace.
