Minority Business Certifications Give Boost to Small Business

July 27, 2006 -- Pamela Huddleston-Bickford, owner of Cherokee Data Solutions, fell in love at a very early age. In fact, as far back as she can remember, Oklahoma -- more specifically rural Oklahoma -- stole her heart and never gave it back.

"I grew up in Maize, Oklahoma, and my husband Paul's family is from Tiawah, Oklahoma. We both have a passion for this part of the country," Huddleston-Bickford says.

In part, the couple's affinity for Oklahoma is connected to their Native American roots. They are both members of the Cherokee Tribe. Paul is part Creek, as well.

"Everything that's important for a person to learn in life is offered in the rural parts of Oklahoma," she says. "We believe qualities like serenity, honesty and modesty are common 'Okie' traits."

On Native Soil
As the owner of Cherokee Data Solutions (CDS) in Claremore, Huddleston-Bickford has indeed turned her dreams into reality. Under the helm of Huddleston-Bickford, the company has built a hard-earned reputation for fulfilling clients' needs in a professional and timely manner.

"The reality of working for yourself is that the day you become your own boss, everyone is suddenly your boss," Huddleston-Bickford says. "I'd tell any prospective small business owners to be willing to do whatever it takes to make it work and work it until it takes." 

CDS supplies its customers with information technology equipment and offers competitive pricing on office technology and office supply products. CDS has helped many of its customers with a systems approach to technology solutions, including mobile shelving (filing) systems, conference recording and transcription systems, and document imaging/records management systems. From the outset, the driving force of CDS has been to promote Native Americans and women of excellence within this organization, as well as to support Native American students in Information Systems discipline.

That Funding Conundrum
One challenge every new company faces is funding. Like many entrepreneurs, Huddleston-Bickford quickly learned there is no magical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for start-up companies. For her, the shoestring approach was the only option at the time.

"Cherokee Data Solutions started out with $100 in cash, a desk we got at a garage sale for $35, and absolutely zero credit," Huddleston-Bickford says. "The bank wouldn't issue me a debit card on the account because I had no credit history in my name. Our first orders were financed from working a night job. Today, years after a few suppliers trusted us with miniscule starting lines of credit, and because we always pay our invoices on-time or early, we have established over a million dollars in combined lines of credit. Careful cash management and the low cost of doing business in rural Oklahoma have permitted CDS to remain debt-free."

Minority Certifications Give Small Business Edge
To jumpstart her company and position it for success, Huddleston-Bickford realized early on that being certified and authorized by as many reputable organizations as possible was an absolute must.

So, as a Native American-owned business, one of Cherokee Data Solutions' first objectives was to apply and receive certification from the following organizations:

• Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC): www.omsdc.org
• Small Business Association's 8(a) Program: www.sba.gov/8abd
• Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone: www.sba.gov/hubzone
• Tribal Employment Rights Organization (TERO): www.redlakenation.org/jtpa/tero.html
• Native American Business Enterprise Center (NABEC): www.nabdc.org
• Women-Owned Business Certification: www.okcommerce.gov/wob

"Unlike most other organizations of its type, the OMSDC doesn't require new companies to be in business for two years before being certified," says Huddleston-Bickford. "This was instrumental at a time when we needed validation in order to gain our customers' trust. In addition, the OMSDC offered multiple training opportunities and face-to-face conversations with buyers from leading corporations in Oklahoma."

Leveraging Oklahoma's Advantage
The East and West Coasts are fine for some companies, but for Cherokee Data Solutions, it's Oklahoma or bust.

"Our location in Rogers County just works for us - pure and simple - for so many reasons," Huddleston-Bickford says. "We are a heartbeat away from I-44, which affords easy access to virtually any major market. And having the Port of Catoosa in such close proximity has been an enormous advantage for us, as well. But, probably the best thing about establishing a business in Oklahoma (rural Oklahoma, in our case) is the loyalty of the employees. I'm convinced this state produces the most loyal and dedicated people simply because they value where they live and work and wouldn't do anything to compromise that. That's a mindset I completely get!" 

To contact Cherokee Data Solutions in Claremore, Oklahoma: Pamela Huddleston-Bickford: 918-343-3577 or Pamela@okcds.com.