Becoming woman-certified puts you into a better position to bid for contracts from major corporations and government agencies. It’s a marketing tool that can help get you business in the form of “set asides” — that is, a percentage of contract awards earmarked for diversity suppliers. The work can be awarded directly to you (Tier 1) or you can be a subcontractor to other companies that secure such contracts (Tier 2).

Different kinds of certifications are awarded by a variety of private organizations and public agencies, such as your city government. Usually, you can apply only if your firm is at least 51 percent woman-owned and managed. The most well known are from WBENC and NWBOC. For a summary of certification types, see NAWBO.

— Joanna L. Krotz