As the owner of LubriSource, I was recently certified by WBENC, the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. WBENC certification comes from more than a woman simply owning 51% or more of a company. It also comes from women claiming a majority role in the direct management of their companies.

Certification by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council comes with many benefits, not the least of which is a strong connection to many amazing women in all types of industries and businesses. Our recent focus on WBENC and supplier diversity presented us with an excellent opportunity to interview Cheryl Elafi of Diverse Supply Chain Partner, LLC about her role in bringing diverse suppliers and companies together to form valuable partnerships.

Diversity may sometimes be seen as a buzzword thrown around to impress clients. The truth is, when done correctly, supplier diversity can increase your profits and improve the overall health of your business. It does, indeed, make for a selling point with your customers. But it also brings many other benefits to your business.