Correction: SmallBiz-Small Talk-LGBT-Owned Companies story
NEW YORK (AP) — In a story June 5 about companies certified as lesbian,- gay-, transgender- and bisexual owned, The Associated Press misidentified the organization that does the certification. It is the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, not the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
The story also should have described Martin Solorzano's certification process as extensive, not expensive.
A corrected version of the story is below:
How LGBT owners boost chances to win big business contracts
A growing number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender business owners are seeking certification that helps them get contracts with big companies that have supplier diversity and inclusion programs
By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — In the early days of his information technology company, Sam Lehman looked for ways to differentiate his business from its many competitors.
As he searched online, Lehman found the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, or NGLCC, which certifies companies as lesbian-, gay-, bisexual- or transgender-owned, helping them be more visible to potential clients and customers. Nine years ago, Columbia Consulting Group got its LGBT-owned certification and in turn, a boost in sales.
"Within five years it doubled our revenue," says Lehman, whose company is based in Stamford, Connecticut. "Eighty percent of our business comes from contacts I made through the NGLCC."
A growing number of LGBT business owners are seeking certification that helps them get contracts with companies including Fortune 500 corporations that have supplier diversity and inclusion programs. Certification is a way for these owners to gain acceptance across the country, including places where they have encountered discrimination, says Justin Nelson, president of...