C WHITT PR, LLC has been certified by the State of Indiana as a Women/Minority-owned (W/MBE) business. Owner and CEO Chelsea Whittington was notified of the designation by officials in mid-February and says this accomplishment is sure to yield greater visibility of her firm and will hopefully lead to the procurement of government contracts.
The certification affords Whittington the opportunity to provide marketing and public relations services to government and business entities across the state. C WHITT PR, LLC is now listed on the Indiana Department of Administration (Division of Supplier Diversity) website for thousands of potential vendors to consider.
“Earning this certification has been on my bucket list for quite some time,” said Whittington. “After attending a couple of seminars, bending the ear of a few colleagues and enlisting the help of a professional, I finally got it done, and it feels amazing.”
In order to complete the certification process, Whittington sought the assistance of Lois Whittaker, owner of Royalty Strategic Consultants and founder of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Northern Indiana.
“The process of becoming certified as a women/minority-owned business is not as complicated as most think, however, it does require a commitment of time to gather documentation and patience to trust the process,” said Whittaker. “Chelsea was willing to do this with enthusiasm and checked all the boxes on my request list.”
Whittington recalls the seamless process that Whittaker suggested she follow for certification.
“Lois was a joy to work with,” said Whittington. “She sent me a comprehensive list of documents and proof that I would need to submit while explaining every step of the process. She reviewed everything, made suggestions and edits and then submitted my application with great confidence.”
Approximately 6 weeks later, Whittington received a letter of congratulations but decided to wait to release the news at the start of March, which is Women’s History Month.
“I think Women’s History Month was the perfect time to share a story of inspiration to fellow entrepreneurs,” added Whittington. “Small business owners have challenges, but wins like these serve as motivators to keep going.”
Among the first to learn of Whittington’s certification was her father and retired entrepreneur, Doc Stalling. The family owned a gas station, U-Haul rental, convenience store, car wash and sandwich shop complex on Gary‘s west side.
“Growing up in an entrepreneurial household was very eye-opening,” recalls Whittington. “Not only did I work in the family business, but I witnessed the many sacrifices my parents made to ensure that the business thrived while keeping a strong emphasis on family. It was about finding balance, and I am so glad that my father set the example of being a professional, reliable business owner in a city he loves so much.”
In addition to promoting her firm’s new designation, Whittington plans to update her website, social media, email signature and all promotional materials with the M/WBE seal while placing a framed copy of the designation letter in both her home office in Gary and the one located at 5233 Hohman Avenue in downtown Hammond.
“I am grateful, humbled and excited, and I want everyone to know how small businesses in our community continue to thrive and help is available to scale up,” she said.
Benefits of M/WBE Certification
• A WBE (Women‘s Business Enterprise) certification provides several benefits for a business, including increased visibility, access to exclusive networking opportunities, eligibility for government contracts, enhanced credibility with potential clients, and the ability to participate in supplier diversity programs aimed at supporting women-owned businesses, potentially leading to new market opportunities and increased revenue.
• Access to government contracts: Many government agencies set aside a portion of their contracts specifically for WBE certified businesses, opening up new opportunities for government contracts and potential revenue streams.
• Increased visibility: Certification can make your business stand out from competitors, attracting attention from potential clients who actively seek out WBE partners.
• Networking opportunities: Access to exclusive networking events and connections with other women-owned businesses, government officials, and organizations.
• Enhanced credibility: Certification demonstrates that your business is legitimately owned and operated by women, building trust with potential clients and partners.
• Supplier diversity programs: Companies with supplier diversity initiatives actively look for WBE certified businesses to fulfill their procurement needs.
• Marketing advantage: Being WBE certified can be used as a positive marketing tool to showcase your commitment to diversity and attract clients seeking to work with women-owned businesses.
• Potential for funding and grants: Some government agencies and organizations offer grants and funding specifically for WBE certified businesses.
• Access to educational workshops and programs: Organizations that certify WBEs often provide access to workshops and training programs to support business development.
For more information about C WHITT PR, LLC, visit www.cwhitt.biz