Certified Women-Owned Business
Brush On Block and parent company SPF Ventures have always been women-oriented. Founder Andrea Wetsel started the company when her two daughters were young, and one of them developed an allergy to chemical sunscreen actives. When she decided to start her own company using gentle, mineral sunscreen actives, her biggest champion and supporter (aside from husband Jess, who always has her back) was her mother. That’s why we are incredibly proud to announce that we have received national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The certification process is an extensive review of the business structure, financials and operations, and is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.
“Credibility is essential in business relationships and as the gold standard for women-owned business certification and seriousness of the vetting process, the WBENC certification helps lend us that credibility. At SPF Ventures, one of our core values is to “Empower Women” and we are committed to promoting diversity on both our team and in the business world. My desire to learn more and offer a better sunscreen began with my daughters in mind and with my mom’s support – it has always been important to me to build a powerful women-led team, and this certification is a testament to that commitment,” Andrea says.
Food for thought
If you aren't sure that supporting women-owned businesses is important to you, it is eye-opening to recognize just how far they have come in a short time. Women have always owned businesses, but they have not always been able to take advantage of modern financial conveniences. Women were only allowed to get credit cards in their own names in 1974, and the same Equal Credit Opportunity Act also permitted women to open their own bank accounts without a male co-signer. (It was legal for women to have their own bank accounts in the 1960’s but most banks discriminated against women and insisted that their husbands co-sign for them.) Then, the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 established that women could get bank loans without a male co-signer, giving women at least a shot at financial equality.
Why should you support women-owned businesses?
Aside from the feel-good benefit of supporting the dreams of other women, there is usually a ripple-effect with women-owned businesses. They tend to be smaller companies that genuinely reflect the diversity of their communities in ways that larger corporations do not. And they support women by hiring more women.
About WBENC
Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nation's leader in women's business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 18,000 certified Women's Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and more than 500 Corporate Members, most of which are Fortune 500. Thousands of corporations representing America's most prestigious brands, as well as many states, cities, and other entities, look for and accept WBENC Certification. Through the Women Owned initiative, WBENC also is a leader in supporting consumer-oriented female entrepreneurs and those who do business with them by raising awareness for why, where and how to buy Women Owned. For more information, visit www.wbenc.org and www.buywomenowned.com.
