Are you losing bids because you aren’t certified as a small or diverse business? Heather Cox is Cofounder and President of Certify My Company, a firm that connects corporations with diverse businesses to create economic value and opportunity. On this episode of The RFP Success Show, Heather walks us through the five primary demographics for certification, explaining how to know if your business qualifies as small or diverse. We discuss private sector national versus state government certifications, challenging you to be strategic in the certifications you pursue to grow your business. Listen in for Heather’s insight on subcontracting opportunities for diverse businesses and learn how Certify My Company can help you win RFPs through certifications! Key Takeaways   How Heather’s team serves small and diverse businesses as well as corporations Why you can’t simply raise your hand and say you’re a diverse business Why it’s advantageous for a small or diverse business to get certified within a state Opportunities for small and diverse businesses to subcontract with large corporations that win state bids 5 primary demographics for certification—women, minority, LGBT, veteran and disability owned The private sector national certifications available to small and diverse businesses How long it takes to get certified through national organizations vs. state governments How certifications can help grow your existing business and land new contracts How corporations benefit from robust supplier diversity programs How to know if your business qualifies for small or diverse business certification How the lack of a certification can be the reason you lose a state contract The benefit of getting help from experts like Certify My Company  Connect with Heather Certify My Company Certify My Company on Instagram Certify My Company on TikTok Diversity Masterminds Email [email protected] Connect with Lisa Lisa’s Website Lisa on Twitter Lisa on Facebook Lisa on LinkedIn The RFP Success Company on YouTube The RFP Success Company on LinkedIn Subscribe on iTunes Email [email protected] Resources  Heather on RFP Success Show EP003 WEBENC NMSDC DBE Program Disability:IN NaVOBA NVBDC NGLCC 8(a) Business Development Program WOSB Heather’s Missed Opportunities Video Get on the RFP Success Accelerator Waitlist Book a Call with the RFP Success Company Dare to Be Influential: Maximizing Your Positive Influence While Still Being True to You by Lisa Rehurek The RFP Success Book by Lisa Rehurek The RFP Success Institute RFP Success Audit Service [email protected]