The Little-known Secret to Getting More Commercial Work 

Securing more commercial work, corporate and government, can be easier than you think. 

By Sarah Jane Jelin, KARNAK.  

If your roofing company works with corporate, retail or government entities, you can easily elevate your proposal to the top of the list by choosing to use or install products manufactured by a WBENC-certified women business enterprise (WBE).  

Why does choosing a WBE make my proposal more appealing?

1 - Tax incentives! The federal government (and many states) offer tax breaks to companies that choose to work with or secure products and services from woman-owned businesses. Not only does using products manufactured by a WBE offer the opportunity for your corporate client to obtain a tax break, or your government customer to meet their WBE allotment requirements, it can offer the same to your contracting company because you are purchasing the products from a WBE. Remember that tax laws vary widely so it’s always a good idea to check with your accountant or tax advisor to understand the benefit both to your business and to your customers.  

2 - Corporate incentives! Did you know that many larger corporations and retailers have quotas to meet related to the amount of business they conduct with women- and other minority-owned businesses? By offering products manufactured by a certified WBE manufacturer, you make it easier and more attractive for managers of large facilities to choose your company.  

Why does the government offer tax breaks for working with WBE? The federal government established the Minority and Business Development Authority (MBDA) as an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote the growth of minority-owned businesses. MBDA offers programs and support to help WBEs be the best companies that manufacture and provide the highest-quality solutions and services. To encourage companies and government entities to support the minority-owned businesses, the federal government (and many states) offer tax incentives to these organizations.  

What is a certified WBE?

A WBE is an independent business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women and whose formation and principal place of business is in the U.S. or its territories. In most cases for companies and government entities to claim a tax incentive, they will need to be sure they are working with a certified WBE.  

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Inc. (WBENC), founded in 1997, is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. They have developed standards that a company must meet to be certified as a WBE company.  

Make your proposal more enticing with an environmentally friendly option and a tax break.

As president and owner of KARNAK, a WBENC-certified WBE, I am proud of our mission to offer the highest-quality, sustainable roofing and building solutions that protect, restore and extend the life of the building envelope while reducing environmental impact.  

Avoiding tear-offs and restoring roofs with cool, reflective coatings is a win-win for the customer and the environment. If you want to learn more about coatings, download our free roof coatings guide and we will send you five roof patch samples as a thank you. 

About the author: Sarah Jane Jelin is president and owner of KARNAK, a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise, manufacturing and supplying reflective coatings, cements, and sealants for roofing and waterproofing since 1933. Learn more at www.karnakcorp.com.