Government Certifications and Their Role in Helping Small Businesses
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Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs and opportunities and give us a greater sense of individual freedom. But if you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, then you know that it can be hard to get your business off the ground. You may have tried to secure financing, applied for government grants, or done everything else you can think of—and yet still not found success.
If this sounds like your situation, then it might be time for you to consider government certifications. These programs help small businesses succeed by providing funding support and other resources that help businesses thrive in today’s marketplace. It’s important to understand just what these programs entail before applying.
What is a Government Certification?
A government certification is a type of certification that is offered by the government. It’s a way to show that you are eligible to do business with the government and make it easier for small businesses to get started. There are many different types of government certifications, each with its own rules and requirements.
Government certification programs are a great way to help your small business grow. These certifications can be used to win government contracts, get more work and customers, and build your business. Some Government certification programs include:
- Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB/EDWOSB) Certification – A WOSB Certification will present more opportunities for government contracting to entities owned and operated by women.
- Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification – Becoming WBE Certified will give you an advantage through billions of dollars in State, Local, and Municipal government spending.
- Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB/SDVOSB) Certification – If you’re a U.S. Military Veteran who owns a business, a VOSB/SDVOSB Certification will give you the advantage necessary to sell to government agencies.
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification – Becoming MBE Certified will give you access to enormous State Government budgets and nationally recognized corporations that are required to purchase from minority-owned businesses.
- SBA 8(a) Business Development Program – The 8(a) BD program allows businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged people to compete for federal contracts with other companies.
How to Successfully Use a Government Certification
To use a government certification program successfully, you’ll need to be ready.
- You should be prepared to take advantage of the program’s benefits. Government certification programs can help you gain new customers and expand your market share by demonstrating that your business meets certain standards or requirements. For example, if your product is sold in other countries or states where certain health and safety regulations apply (such as California), then getting certified may allow you access to these customers without having to comply with those laws yourself–saving both time and money on compliance paperwork!
- You’ll need an understanding of how the government works so that when there are changes made (which happens often), they don’t catch anyone off guard at the last minute because no one knew what was going on until after it happened!
Opportunities for Small Business Owners Who Want to Grow
It’s good to know that there are so many opportunities out there for small business owners who want to grow.
You might be thinking, “How can I benefit from government certification?” The first thing you should know is that there are a variety of programs available through the federal government, state governments, and even local municipalities. Some give small businesses access to capital or funding while others allow you to bid on public contracts.
You should also consider what type of program you’d like your business to participate in before applying for one of these certifications:
- Small Business Administration (SBA) loans -These loans provide funding up to $5 million at an interest rate determined by the SBA based on your credit score and financial history
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grants -These grants fund research projects that could lead to innovative products or services provided by small businesses
Let us help!
If you are a small business, you might qualify for government certification. If your business is woman-owned, veteran-owned, or minority-owned, it may be eligible for government certification as well.
As you can see, there are a lot of government certification programs available to help your small business grow and succeed.
These programs can be a great way to gain access to new customers, get access to more funding or loans from banks or other financial institutions, and even save money on taxes! If you think your business might qualify for one of these programs, or if you want more information on what they offer, contact us today!
Our team of experts will be happy to answer any questions about government certifications that may arise during this process.
