Raland Hatchett, president and CEO of RH Professional Services, shares expert tips and tricks to getting certified as a Minority Business Enterprise, or an MBE.
 
Obtaining city, state, or federal minority business certification isn’t easy, but it can unlock some profitable business opportunities. To obtain the certification, the new or existing owner has to be patient, organized, and willing to fill out loads of complicated forms to document their status.
 
However, gaining the minority business certification can also be lucrative. It gives these business owners great rewards—including access to corporate buyers looking for minority-owned businesses, networking events, and posting on a special database open only to minority certified businesses. 
 
Here is how to overcome the hurdles to becoming a Minority Business Enterprise.
 
What is a Minority Business Enterprise certification?
 A Minority Business Enterprise certification (MBE) is a certification for businesses owned and operated by a U.S. citizen whose ethnicity is African American, Hispanic American, Asian-Indian, Asian Pacific, or Native American. The owner must have a 51% ownership and control of the business and be in business for at least one year.
 
What is the origin of the MBE?
 The Minority Business Enterprise program and the designated certification dates back to 1969 with the establishment of the Office of Minority Business Enterprise—today the Minority Business Development Agency—a federal agency exclusively dedicated to minority business enterprises. In 1973, the Office of Minority Business Enterprise established a national business service network and provided seed funding to numerous minority advocacy organizations.
 
These organizations included the National Minority Purchasing Council (now known as the National Minority Supplier Development Council), Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Economic Development Association (NEDA), the Chicago Economic Corporation and the National Council of LaRaza.
 
 The State of Ohio’s mandate in 1980 to work with minority owned businesses was established through advocacy and legislative efforts.

 
Why should a minority business owner obtain an MBE certification? 
 One important point to stress is for business owners to think first about who would want to buy your product. Once you’ve decided who your ideal customer is, then apply for the minority business enterprise certification from either the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, State of Ohio; or the National Minority Supplier Development Council, a national organization that offers access to corporate purchasing agents and supply chains. 
 
A certification (MBE, Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), or other) is not required to operate your business, but it helps by providing businesses with a chance to access new resources and opportunities that are profitable.
 
What are the benefits of MBE Certification?
 Certification gives MBEs exclusive access to top corporate purchasing agents, premium networking events, searchable supplier databases, affordable consulting services, technology programs, and vital introductions to nationally known corporations.
 
Some examples of the benefits include: 

• Contract assistance—Work one-on-one with a business advisor to search for contract opportunities for your business.
• Receive invitations or notifications about purchasing opportunities. For instance, the state of Ohio has a program because of a mandate that the agency spend 15% of its spending budgets on minority firms certified by the State of Ohio.
• Each MBE company’s certified profile is listed in a directory used by purchasing agents searching for goods or services provided by minority owned businesses.
• Financial and bonding assistance—Work one-on-one with a business advisor to prepare a business plan and submit a request for a loan from a bank or request bonding from an insurance company.
• Management and technical assistance—Work with a business advisor to create a marketing and sales plan to grow the business or attend workshops learning how to train your current workforce on best practices used for great customer service.

• Birth Certificate or passport 
• Last tax year State of Ohio tax return
• Bank signature card or letter showing who has signature authority for company’s bank account 
• Personal tax return for past three year for the majority owner 
• W-2s and/or 1099 for majority owner and spouse
• Business taxes S form
• IRS Schedules K-1 or schedule C for the past three years 
• Most recent balance sheet, cash flow statement, profit and loss statement
• Facility lease and ownership documentation 
• Loans and security agreement 
• Equipment list 
• List of subcontractors or suppliers used
• Two of your largest signed contracts  

1. Company Information-address, email, business phone number.
2. Employee Information-the number of full time or part time, minority or female employees.
3. Business Information-date business began operations.
4. Owner Information-standard personal information, % of ownership, etc.
5. Owner’s information on assets & liabilities, cash, IRA or retirement, personal property, real estate, auto/other assets. If there are several owners, each must complete this section.
6. Property Details-type of property, date of purchase, cost, market value.
7. Board of Directors- list of board members.
8. Independent decision-making functions-list of those who make company decisions.
9. Company Officer Information- names of corporate officers.
10. Business Gross Receipts- revenue earned in previous years of operating the business.
11. Contribution/Assets Details—investment made to start business like cash and/or equipment.
12. Business Information questionnaire.
13. Personal eligibility statement.
14. Name of the person completing application.