A disability owned business or enterprise (DOBE) is a for-profit business that is at least 51% owned and operated by a person or people with disabilities. There are already many DOBE’s out there and even more opportunities to get your business certified as a DOBE. To meet eligibility requirements the business must not be reliant on any other businesses in order to operate, financial and business information must be available to be reviewed and additionally the 51% ownership rule must be met. Not too much to ask right?
There are so many benefits to getting your business certified. For starters, depending on where and who you do your certification with each corporation offers different opportunities to better your business as well as programs to promote more inclusion. The certificate also puts your company in the pool of supplier diversity. Supplier diversity aims to reduce misrepresentation and fraud from minority owned businesses. It allows more people to reach out and potentially sell your products on a different platform. Also, not to mention it makes your business look better than your competitors.
Here are resources and literature on how you can go about getting your business certified:
How to register your business:
- https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/supplier-diversity/get-certified/
- https://supplier.coupa.com/certifications/dobe-certification/
Additional Information on what it takes to be a DOBE:
- https://disabilityin.org/
- https://blog.cvmsolutions.com/the-definitive-guide-for-disability-owned-business-enterprises
- https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/publications/blt/2010/05/05_kemp/
While we are discussing DOBE’s I thought it would only be appropriate that we highlight a few DOBE’s that you can patronize! Listed (and linked) below are businesses that are all Disability owned and operated. Ranging from services to gifts to treats and much more!
- Flores Lane- A soy-wax candle company that has the perfect gift for any occasion or any person! https://shopfloreslane.com/
- BathBevy- A bath and body care company that you can make one-time purchases at but you also have the option of subscribing to receive your favorite products monthly. https://bathbevy.com/
- Hen and Goose- A handmade pet accessory company that has given job opportunities to people who struggle working ordinary jobs. https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/henandgoose
There are so many more! Check out the link below to see the many other ventures!
https://themighty.com/2020/04/disability-owned-businesses-to-support-covid-19/