Wal-Mart began its Minority & Women-Owned Business Development Program in 1994 and, since that time, has increased its number of minority and women-owned business suppliers.
The purpose of this program is to help develop the potential of minority and women-owned businesses that provide retail goods or services. The support WALMART offers is as varied as the individuals involved, but their goal is constant: to ensure the business approach reflects the broad marketplace. Through this program, assistance in locating resources, as well as guidance and consultation are available to help program participants to become Wal-Mart suppliers. But, whether they become a Wal-Mart supplier or not, the goal is to help them develop their individual businesses.
If your business is minority or woman-owned, Wal-Mart requires that you become certified by one of the authorized site certifying organizations. The National Minority Supplier Development Council or one of its regional affiliates certifies minority-owned firms and the Women Business Enterprise National Council certifies those firms considered women-owned.
If your business is both minority and woman-owned, you need only one of the previously mentioned certifications.
By becoming a certified Minority / Women-Owned Enterprise you do not only become a part of an organization committed to developing your firm. You also become part of a network that is supported by more than 3,500 corporate members including most of America's largest publicly-owned, privately-owned and foreign-owned companies, as well as universities, hospitals and other buying institutions. In addition, the regional affiliates help to match your firm with member corporations, which want to purchase goods and services. For example, in 1997, member corporations of NMSDC purchased more than $36.1 billion from its certified members. When you become certified, you become part of a database from which Wal-Mart and other Fortune 500 companies, ranging from retail outlets to service organizations, actively seek suppliers.