Small Business Council Launch 2015 Presentation

1. Doing Business in Memphis
Small Business Council - Greater Memphis Chamber
Presented By:
Uniform Certification Agency
Director, Jesyca Westbrook-Pettes
January 26, 2015

2. • MBE – Minority Business Enterprise
• WBE – Woman-Owned Business Enterprise
• LSB – Local Small Business Enterprise
MLGW (Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, Desoto, Marshall, Tate,
Tunica, Crittenden Counties)
• SBE – Small Business Enterprise
City of Memphis (Memphis, Metro Area – 8 Counties)
• DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
(Transportation entities (MATA, Airport - Nationally)
CERTIFICATION: One Stop
Shop

3. • The Uniform Certification Agency (UCA) is
the certifying arm of the Mid-South
Minority Business Council Continuum
(The MMBC Continuum). The UCA’s
mission is to certify minority, women,
local, small and disadvantaged business
enterprises.
• UCA certifies on behalf of government
agencies, public, and private companies.
Uniform Certification Agency

4. • The MMBC Continuum is one of the Mid-
South’s foremost business development
organizations. The MMBC Continuum is
highly respected by the corporate
community as a trusted source of
knowledge and expertise.
• The agency also operates a Minority
Business Development Agency Business
Center as part of a national network under
the U.S. Department of Commerce.
(For larger ethnic minority firms)
The MMBC Continuum

5. • UCA adopted and follows the regulations of 49
CFR 26 and the local small business size
regulations in 13 CFR 121
MBE, WBE, & DBE Member Requirements
• Must be at least 51% owned, operated, and
controlled by individual or group of ethnic
minority, woman, “small” , “local”, business
owner(s)
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
What is Required?

6. Local & Small Requirements
• For Small Business classification – the business
owner’s personal net worth must be less than
$1.32M
• Local & Small Business classification – see SBA
size standard for industry under NAICS code.
• Local = business principal location in
Memphis/Shelby County, Owner’s Residence =
Metropolitan Statistical Area
What is Required?

7. • Ensures only legitimate local, minority & women-owned
businesses are certified/registered
• Eliminates the need to have buyers screen suppliers to
determine minority/woman/local small business ownership
and control
• Required by some government and quasi-government
groups
• Complies with federal regulations, which require the
provision of subcontracting opportunities for women-
owned, minority-owned businesses and agencies looking to
expand spend goals with local vendors.
• Allows agencies to select businesses from a network of
companies or “sheltered market”
Why is Certification
Important?

8. • Marketing tool to source contracts with
major corporations and government
agencies
• Access to bid opportunities with
corporations that have purchasing dollars
allocated for M/WBEs
• National expansion through the Minority
Business Development Agency (MBDA)
(For larger ethnic minority firms)
• Database listing accessed by major
corporations and agencies
Benefits of Certification

9. • Assigned strategic business advocate for
your business
• Networking opportunities with other
minority, women-owned, disadvantaged,
local & small businesses
• Opportunity for business networking,
development, training, and seminars
Benefits of Certification

10. • Allow 60-90 days to complete new applications
(30-60 days for annual renewals)
• Application must be notarized & signed by owner(s)
• Some supporting documents required include:
taxes, personal net worth statement, business
licenses
• Application Fee
• Site visit and interview
• Review and Recommendation based on ownership,
operation, control, location, size, revenue
CERTIFICATION PROCESS

11. • Any minority, woman, local business owner is
guaranteed certification approval
• No annual renewal, no challenges, or
repeated site visits
• 51% ownership is all that is required
• Being certified guarantees contracts and
automatically brings in new business
MISCONCEPTIONS

12. • Certification can be rushed, influenced by
government, corporations, “who you know”,
or other connections
• Some supporting documents are optional
• One type of certification or classification is
enough
MISCONCEPTIONS

13. QUESTIONS?

14. Jesyca Westbrook-Pettes, Esq.
Director, Member Registration
jwpettes@mmbc-memphis.org
Dahnisha Hubbard
Coordinator, Member Registration
dhubbard@mmbc-memphis.org
158 Madison Avenue, Suite 300
Memphis, TN 38103 l (901) 525-6512
For more information visit: www.mmbc-memphis.org
*Applications are available on our website
COMING SOON:
ONLINE REGISTRATION & RENEWAL
Uniform Certification Agency