A Certified Woman-Owned Business

CKC Good Food is pleased to announce we are now a certified woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the most widely recognized and respected national certifying organization.

While our Founder and CEO Nancy Close has always been the owner of the company, this certification assures procurement professionals that a woman has unrestricted control of the business, a demonstrated management of day-to-day operations and a proportionate investment of capital or expertise. Anyone who has worked with CKC Good Food knows that Nancy delivers on those requirements 110%!

"For many years, I have known and worked with incredible businesswomen and have been invited to amazing events for women in business," Nancy said. "The energy, joy and inspiring entrepreneurial stories often reminded me that I am living my dream. This certification will open doors for me to continue to learn and be inspired by other women who have walked paths similar to mine. There is a beautiful camaraderie among these women and it's energizing."

In addition to the WBE certification, we are awaiting word on our certification as a participant in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program.

Certification Involved Extensive Vetting

The certification process was quite extensive. COO/Integrator Katie Fairbanks embraced the challenge and even came to enjoy the process. The WBENC required many incorporation, legal, financial and operational documents to verify the company’s ownership and day-to-day management. The initial list of required documentation was 4 pages long!

When she began the time-limited online submission, Katie discovered even more documentation was needed… A full list major production equipment, vehicles, NAICS/UNSPSC Codes, proof of DBA entities, complete company history, service overview, copies of our leases, client references, etc.

“Once I collected everything on the initial list, I thought I could just enter everything online and be done,” she laughed. “Turns out, it wasn’t that easy!”

Katie reached out to the company’s advisers – banker, contract CFO and attorney – and internal team members to get the needed information.

“Fortunately, I am the type of person who enjoys hunting and collecting data,” Katie said. “It was really rewarding to see it come together. I also got to know the company, and everything Nancy has created, even better.”

Grateful for the Accomplishment

“It is so wonderful to have someone in my court who, in addition to providing me and the company incredible support and organization every day, actually liked going through this certification process,” Nancy said. “I am so blessed by Katie!”

With the WBE certification in hand, we now have access to new resources and support, including targeted business opportunities, increased visibility in corporate and government supply chains, education and development programs, and networking and mentorship opportunities with other women-owned entities.

"We received such a warm welcome immediately upon our certification," Nancy said. "I am certain our opportunities to provide proposals will expand now that we are certified." In the past, the company would not invest the time writing proposals if the bid documents stated a preference for certified WBEs or certified MBEs (minority business enterprises).