• State and local governments require many industries to have permits or licenses to operate. A business license is required for most businesses, including retailers and wholesalers. A trader's license is required for buying and re-selling goods. And you, or the professionals you hire, may need individual occupational and professional licenses. It is important to check at the state and local level to determine what licenses and permits you may need.
   

• Want to be a Limited liability company (LLC)?  This  business structure in the U.S. protects its owners from personal responsibility for its debts or liabilities.
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• How about a non-profit corporation? Nonprofit means the entity, usually a corporation, which is organized for a nonprofit purpose, and should be registered as such.
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• All businesses need an employer identification number (EIN), which is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS. It's used to identify the tax accounts of employers and certain others who have no employees. The IRS uses the number to identify taxpayers who are required to file various business tax returns.
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• An International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification is a stamp of approval from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) confirming that a company's internal systems and processes meet internationally recognized standards for quality, safety, or sustainability. It demonstrates a commitment to consistent quality, efficiency, and best practices in a specific area, such as quality management, environmental sustainability, or cybersecurity. 
   

• Are you a government contractor? Are you applying for loans and/or grants? Then a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is needed. A D&B DUNS number is a nine-digit number that is recognized as the universal standard to track businesses worldwide. It is designed to enhance the credibility of your business and enable potential customers, lenders and suppliers to learn about your company.
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• The System for Award Management (SAM) is a government-wide registry for vendors doing business with the Federal government, and SAM registration requires annual renewal. SAM centralizes information about grant recipients and also provides a central location for grant recipients to change organizational information.
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• The Commercial and Government Entity Code, or CAGE  Code is mandatory in order to do business with the federal government or receive federal grant funding. The CAGE Code is a five-character ID number used by the Federal Government to identify vendors.

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Let Mwende Consulting help you to determine the most suitable certification/s from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
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• The 8(a) Small Business Certification is designed to help create equal opportunities for small business owners who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
   

• The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) designation is a program with the goal of growing businesses in historically underutilized areas by awarding them at least 3% of federal contract dollars each year.
   

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program:  State and local transportation agencies, such as state departments of transportation, public transit agencies and airport sponsors receive DOT funds. They contract directly with private transportation construction, design and supply firms of their choice to build and maintain infrastructure projects. Recipients are required to award and administer DOT-funded contracts to small businesses in a fair manner. To assist small business formation and growth, Congress enacted DOT’s DBE program in 1983 and reauthorized it in each subsequent surface and aviation authorization.rogram in 1983 and reauthorized it in each subsequent surface and aviation authorization.

• If your business is majority-owned and operated by one or more women, you may be eligible for the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business program. There are two types of woman-owned business certifications offered by the National Women’s Business Council: woman-owned small business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).
   

• ​Minority-owned business certification is provided by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), which provides MBE certification for minority-owned businesses.​A B corporation certification is a for-profit business that is driven by a social mission. These companies use their profits as a means for positive impact for their employees, communities and the environment. They are certified by the SBA and are overseen by the B Lab, a governing body that ensures B corps are meeting their standards for impact.
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• As a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, there are two different certifications you can apply for if you’re starting a business. The Vets First Verification Program is a federal government program that grants certification for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). With these certifications, you’re granted competition for certain contracts that are set aside for veterans and veterans who became disabled while in the act of service.
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• The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) created a certification program to help entrepreneurs in the LGBTQ+ community have greater access to contracting opportunities. The Certified LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) certification gives businesses an opportunity to network and mentor with other LGBTBEs, provides access for scholarships and opens businesses up to special discounts from LGBTQ+-owned and allied partners.
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• The Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Certification  self-represent small disadvantaged businesses for purposes of federal prime contracts and subcontracts.
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• Mwende Consulting will assist you with engaging with the SBA's Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC). The center provides technical assistance to businesses interested in selling products or services to federal, state, and local governments.
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