Pre-WBE Certification Self-Assessment

A Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) certification is a time-intensive process that involves making available to the department many personal and financial documents. Prior to submitting an application a review of the rule criteria is recommended. Taking the time to thoroughly read the rule criteria can prevent many lost hours in preparing an application for a WBE certification for which an applicant is ineligible to receive.

All information submitted to the department becomes the property of the department. The Department allows between four to six weeks for processing an application. The review process may take longer in situations where an applicant did not submit all the required information or did not respond to the department's request for additional information.

Prior to completing a WBE certification application, an applicant should also ask themselves the following questions:

Are the services and products of your business needed by government agencies and/or large corporations? Not knowing whether a corporation or government agency is in need of your product or service could mean you obtain a women-owned business enterprise certification that will hold no value in expanding the marketability of your business. Typically, it is larger corporations and government agencies that have diversity goals in place and will request verification of your status as a women-owned business. It's important to do your homework in advance to determine the needs of larger corporations that you feel may purchase your service/supplies.

What are the types of certifications that a corporation that you wish to provide services/supplies will accept? There are several recognized national certifications that some corporations will accept. While some corporations will accept a state government certification some may not. Once again, it's important to do your homework in advance to determine whether the corporation that you wish to provide services/supplies to will recognize the State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce women-owned business certification. A review of the supplier diversification program of a target market corporation is one place to start in doing your research in advance of applying to be a Wisconsin women-owned business enterprise.

Is your business able to meet the demands of a corporation or state agency if you are awarded a contract for your services or products? If your business is too small to be able to fulfill the needs of a contract, a women-owned business may not be able to be utilize their certification. Typically large corporations and government agencies have large contract needs which a small business may not be able to fulfill. A women-owned business should closely examine their capabilities to meet the contract criteria and quality standards.

Is being a WBE certificate holder a part of your marketing plan? Simply having a certificate stating that you are a women-owned business enterprise will not enhance your business unless you properly market yourself as a certified WBE. A WBE certificate holder should have a strategic marketing plan in place that includes the target markets that recognize the value of doing business with a certified WBE.

For additional information on the on any information provided on this page please contact Carol Dunn at 608-267-0297 or Carol.Dunn@wisconsin.gov.