WBE Certified

Barrie Audio Video, Inc has been certified as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women’s Business Council of Pennsylvania. Barrie Audio Video has had shared ownership by both men and women since its inception and has recently granted controlling interest to CEO Holly Miller. “The nationally recognized WBE certification provides third-party verification of our woman-owned status,” says Miller. “This is a valuable tool in accessing corporate supplier diversity programs within corporations and governmental procurement programs.”

The certification process is comprehensive and extends far beyond verification of legal ownership by women. Business owners seeking certification must provide clear and documented evidence that at least 51% of the company is women-owned, controlled, and operated. Specifically, the contribution of capital and expertise by the women owners must be substantial and in proportion to the interest owned. The women business owners must further direct policy, fiscal, and operational matters for the company. Finally, the women business owners must have the ability to perform in the company’s area of specialty without reliance on the finances or resources of a non-women owned entity.

Many corporations and government entities have supplier diversity initiatives requiring that a certain percentage of their procurement dollars be spent with WBEs. The events, networking opportunities, and membership database of the Council provide its Sustaining Members with access to a pool of certified WBEs offering a myriad of goods and services to meet their procurement needs.

In addition to its WBE-certified member organizations such as Barrie Audio Video, the Women’s Business Council also supports a large sustaining membership which includes corporations, businesses, government entities, institutions and other organizations. These entities are dedicated to buying products and services from women-owned business enterprises and hold a membership in the Council to further that goal. According to Mrs. Miller, ““We are very excited about the opportunities and recognition that this national certification brings to our company, and look forward to continuing to establish long-term, mutually rewarding relationships with the regional business.”