If you want to do business with State or Government entities, you want to register as a minority or woman-owned business with the State (e.g. of Florida).

If you want to do business with private companies, you want to register with the organizations that certify your business status with private enterprise. You will therefore want to certify your company with an organization like the Florida Minority Supplier Development Council or the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

How do you, as a new business owner, make your way through a stream of spam, advertising all types of certifications and “sure thing routes to riches”… if you pay up!

1) Understand what you do, and your value proposition. Why would anyone want your product and/or service? Read more »

1. Take credit cards when dealing with any government agency. If you have not checked the box that says “we take purchase cards” or “we take credit cards” you are automatically disqualified from many searches.

If you have any registrations that might not have this information, make a list and go back and adjust them. Sometimes it is a hassle to get back into your CCR or other registrations, but it has to be done. If you have forgotten your password, follow the on-line procedure until you get it, or call the 1-800 number for help. But do it!

2.Don’t be bullied into paying anything for a DUNS number. You need it, and you are legally entitled to it for free.

You live in a world where everyone will take your money if they can. A DUNS number is free. You are not at any disadvantage if you do not pay Dun and Bradstreet money. D&B  will try to hard-sell or persuade you that one of their packages is right for you… this is okay. It is the rightful job of sales people. You and your sales people want customers to spend money with your company too. Read more »

The Florida Minority Supplier Development Council  (www.fmsdc.org) serves the North, West, Central and Space Coast regions of Florida.

This organization registers minority owned businesses, and also works with large corporations to establish supplier diversity programs that save them significant costs all along their value chain.

Hilton Ross-Munro helps businesses to register with FMSDC if they do not have the time or skilled (wo)manpower to do the paperwork. Read more »