When Stephanie Sharp started Plexus Web Creations in 1997, she had just one goal – to hire the best people that build high quality web sites. The fact that she, as a woman, was the owner of the business did not seem to be anything special to her. But Plexus was different because only a small percentage of businesses in America are women owned, that is why companies go out of their way to ensure that these businesses are recognized as such.

To that end, Plexus Web Creations was recently certified as a Woman Owned Business by National Women Owners Corporation Network (NWBOC) and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

There is a four-part process for certification as Woman Owned Business. One, the company must be at least 51 percent owned by a woman, two, the woman must be an American citizen, three, the woman must provide proof of effective management, and four, she must control all financial aspects of the business. Plexus met all of these requirements.

The WBENC certification for women-owned businesses is one of the most widely recognized and respected certifications in the nation and is accepted by over 700 major corporations across the country and a number of federal and government agencies.

The NWBOC, a national not-for-profit corporation, was established to increase competition for corporate and government contracts through implementation of a pioneering economic development strategy for women business owners.

Federal government agencies must have five percent of their contracting and subcontracting with women-owned businesses. A pilot program through the Small Business Administration has been established to assist in implementation of these goals. Organizations like the NWBOC and WBENC help these agencies identify woman owned businesses in an effort to meet their goals.

"One of the things I have wanted to do throughout my career is support other women in business," said Sharp. "This certification not only identifies me to companies as a Woman Owned Business, but I hope it also allows me to be a resource to other businesswomen in the same position."

Both organizations can be found on the web at www.nwboc.org and www.wbenc.org.