I am happy to announce that ATR International recently became certified through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)! This is an important milestone for our company. WBENC Certification, which is awarded to women-owned and -led businesses that pass a rigorous vetting process, is recognized by thousands of corporations and government entities.
Becoming WBENC-certified brings a range of benefits for our firm—including access to a broad network of support for women entrepreneurs, increased visibility within corporate and government supply chains, and opportunities for targeted business growth. A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) has been a part of ATR’s culture since our founding, and WBENC certification is a demonstration of our ongoing efforts in this area. I’m really proud of our team!
Leading by Example as a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise
The benefits mentioned above are just one part of the story. For me, it goes beyond the tangible. Of course, I am happy to have more visibility and opportunity, especially with corporate and government buyers, but I am also looking forward to sharing our experiences with others.
A key part of our DE&I commitment is serving as a role model and sharing what we’ve learned in 35 years of business as a minority- and woman-owned business. Giving back is as important and beneficial as receiving. Whether we’ll be sharing information, making an introduction or recommendation, or simply supporting a fellow business owner with words of encouragement, I know these moments will be meaningful and important to me. I hope they’ll be beneficial to others, too. Our goal has always been to be a leader in DE&I, and this new certification will help us continue toward that goal.
I have been lucky to have many wonderful mentors throughout my career. Teachers, coworkers, colleagues, fellow business owners, and (of course) my parents who founded ATR—many people have helped me learn, grow, and achieve greater success. As I’ve become a more seasoned executive, I’ve been committed to doing the same for others. This is not to say that I don’t have more to learn myself—I do! I plan to continue listening and learning. But I also know how rewarding it is to help others, and how I learn and benefit when I’m doing so.
I know that our company is strong because we have embraced and nurtured diverse talent in our own ranks, as well as in our business of putting people to work. I’m proud to be a Hispanic woman business owner, and I’m pleased to work alongside a team of incredible women in leadership roles at ATR. We want to continue to lead by example and help through intentional, purposeful action.
Expanding Your Professional Network
Our WBENC Certification is new, but we’ve been certified through the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and affiliated with the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for years. These organizations have been very helpful in ATR’s growth and success, which is how I know that WBENC will play a similar role and contribute to similar results as we move into the future.
I strongly encourage other women and minority business owners to join. Whatever certifications you qualify for can truly help your company achieve next-level success. The support from and camaraderie with other owners, coupled with the practical benefits of greater visibility with corporate buyers, is powerful. Yes, it’s a process, and yes, it takes time and effort, but please, take advantage of it!
Want to know more? Need help getting started? Reach out to me. I’ll be happy to help!