Fayetteville, Arkansas – Rockwood Jewelry, a national provider of jewelry and accessory products, announced today that the company has been certified as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women’s Business Council – Southwest (WBCS). While Rockwood Jewelry has been 100% women owned and operated since its inception, the nationally recognized WBE certification provides third-party verification of that status. Rockwood Jewelry is a nationally recognized manufacturer and supplier of jewelry and accessories for fundraising organizations and catalog companies across the country. Other Rockwood divisions include: Hog Jewels, a University of Arkansas licensed line of jewelry, and Rouse, an intention infused wholesale collection of gemstone jewelry.
The certification process is comprehensive and extends far beyond verification of legal ownership by women. Business owners seeking certification must provide clear and documented evidence that at least 51% of the company is women-owned, controlled and operated. Specifically, the contribution of capital and expertise by the women owners must be substantial and in proportion to the interest owned. The women business owners must further direct policy, fiscal, and operational matters for the company. Finally, the women business owners must have the ability to perform in the company’s area of specialty without reliance on the finances or resources of a non-women owned entity.
Many corporations and government entities have supplier diversity initiatives requiring that a certain percentage of their procurement dollars be spent with WBEs. The events, networking opportunities, and membership database of the Council provide its Sustaining Members with access to a pool of certified WBEs offering a myriad of goods and services to meet their procurement needs.
In addition to its WBE-certified member organizations such as Rockwood Jewelry, the Women’s Business Council – Southwest also supports a large sustaining membership which includes corporations, businesses, government entities, institutions and other organizations. These entities are dedicated to buying products and services from women-owned business enterprises and hold a membership in the Council to further that goal.
Kimberly Hodous, Rockwood Jewelry’s founder and CEO, expressed her thoughts about the company’s recent certification. According to Kimberly, “We are very excited about the opportunities and recognition that this national certification brings to our company, and look forward to establishing long-term, mutually rewarding relationships with the Council’s membership.”
Further information about Rockwood Jewelry can be found at www.rockwoodjewelry.com .
