Barbour Spangle Design Is Officially WBENC Certified — What That Means and Why It Matters

We’re proud to share a milestone that reflects both who we are and where we’re headed: Barbour Spangle Design is now a nationally certified Women’s Business Enterprise through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Our certification was granted by the Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC), the Regional Partner Organization (RPO) for WBENC serving North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. WBENC certification is widely recognized as the gold standard for women-owned businesses in the United States, and we’re incredibly proud to have earned it.

Certified by WBENC, the gold standard for women-owned businesses — and a reflection of who we’ve been from the start.

Why WBENC Certification Matters to Us

For us, this certification isn’t just a designation — it’s a validation of the values we’ve built our firm on from the beginning.

“Pursuing WBENC certification mattered to me because it affirms who we are at our core: a women-founded and women-led business built with intention. It gives us a level of credibility that honors the work behind our story, while connecting us to a community of women who lead with purpose, courage, and generosity. Being part of WBENC reminds me that none of us builds anything meaningful alone.”— Christi Barbour

WBENC certification confirms that Barbour Spangle Design is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by women, and that we meet rigorous standards for leadership, structure, and strategic business practices. The process itself is thorough—featuring detailed documentation, an in-depth business review, and a site visit—and reflects the level of excellence WBENC expects from its certified businesses.

What This Means for Our Clients and Partners

Certification matters not just to us, but to the broader ecosystem we work within every day.

By working with women-owned businesses, corporations, developers, and government agencies demonstrate a commitment to supplier diversity and inclusive growth. These partnerships help foster a more diverse, balanced, and sustainable economy — one where women-led firms have greater access, visibility, and opportunity to lead.

For our clients and collaborators, WBENC certification adds another layer of confidence: confidence in our leadership, our operational integrity, and our long-term vision.

Growing Through Community and Connection

Beyond certification itself, WBENC opens the door to an incredible national network of women-owned businesses, corporate partners, and educational opportunities. Through WBENC and GWBC, we gain access to year-round professional development, programming, and connections—both virtual and in-person—designed to help women-led firms grow, innovate, and scale intentionally.

We see this as an investment not only in our business, but in the community of designers, builders, manufacturers, and partners we collaborate with every day.

Looking Ahead

As Barbour Spangle Design continues to grow across residential, commercial, showroom, and multifamily design, WBENC certification strengthens our foundation and expands what’s possible. We’re excited about the relationships, learning, and opportunities ahead — and deeply grateful to be part of a community that believes in building something bigger than any one business.

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About WBENC

Founded in 1997, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the nation’s leader in women’s business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women. WBENC has certified more than 18,000 Women’s Business Enterprises, works with 14 Regional Partner Organizations, and partners with more than 500 major corporations, many of them Fortune 500 companies.

Through certification, programming, and initiatives like Women Owned, WBENC helps expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and raises awareness around why, where, and how to buy from women-owned businesses. Learn more at wbenc.org and buywomenowned.com.