What it Means to be Woman-Owned

What it Means to be Woman-Owned
Certified WBE
Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal is proud to be a fully WBE & DBE certified, woman-owned business. But other than saying a member of the fairer sex runs this well-oiled engine, what does that mean? According to MWBE.com, to become a certified woman-owned business, that business must show:

• All prospective members must provide evidence that at least 51% or more is a women-owned, managed and controlled
• The business must be open for at least six months.
• The owner must be a United States citizen or legal resident.

WBE stands for a Woman Business Enterprise, and DBE means a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, which is somewhat confusing. To make it clear, Cornell is at no “disadvantage”. DBE simply means a business concern where socially and economically disadvantaged individual owns at least 51% of the business. These individuals can be anyone from Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and a multitude of others, but in Cornell’s case it means simply women.

Mary McNamara not only has to have at least 51% ownership in the company, but she also has to show a contribution of capita, direct management, policy, fiscal and operational matters, and perform without the reliance of any other firm or resource not owned by a woman (which she does quite nicely). And it’s important to the Cornell Way to continue to encourage other women to join the trade and pick up tools.