Doing Business in MemphisSmall Business Council - Greater Memphis Chamber

Presented By:

Uniform Certification AgencyDirector, Jesyca Westbrook-Pettes

January 26, 2015

• MBE – Minority Business Enterprise

• WBE – Woman-Owned Business Enterprise

• LSB – Local Small Business EnterpriseMLGW (Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, Desoto, Marshall, Tate, Tunica, Crittenden Counties)

• SBE – Small Business EnterpriseCity of Memphis (Memphis, Metro Area – 8 Counties)

• DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise(Transportation entities (MATA, Airport - Nationally)

CERTIFICATION: One Stop Shop

• 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

• 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

• 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?

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?

• 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?

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

QUESTIONS?

Jesyca Westbrook-Pettes, Esq.Director, Member Registrationjwpettes@mmbc-memphis.org

Dahnisha HubbardCoordinator, Member Registration

dhubbard@mmbc-memphis.org

158 Madison Avenue, Suite 300Memphis, 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