Hispanic small business owners are among the fastest growing entrepreneurs in the U.S. Even so, many continue to face challenges increasing their revenue and accessing a larger piece of the marketplace. Certified supplier diversity programs — focused on businesses owned and operated by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, veterans, or persons who identify as LGBTQ — have opened a wider door into the private sector and into federal, state, and local government work.
For Charter Communications, a leading broadband connectivity company serving customers through its Spectrum brand, supplier diversity is treated as a business advantage: new networks, new markets, and economic growth in communities that have historically been underinvested. One of the suppliers named in the piece is MidSpan Telecom.
“Being a supplier for Charter has been life-changing. I thought I was going to have a small construction company, but our relationship with Charter took us to the next level. We started with four technicians and now we have more than 80 employees.”
Richie Grullard · President and Founder
MidSpan, a Hispanic-owned business, got its first contract with Charter to upgrade cable wiring on a New York construction project. That work grew into residential and commercial installation support and construction services for Spectrum across a much broader area.
“Charter has great products, and our job is to deliver those products to their subscribers, which we do with integrity and great customer service,” Grullard said. The partnership holds because the two companies’ values line up: excellent products and services that exceed customer expectations.
Certification
To be recognized as a diverse supplier, a business must be at least 51 percent owned, operated, and controlled by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, veterans, service-disabled veterans, or those who identify as LGBTQ — and, in most programs, certified. Charter works with a third party to help eligible suppliers certify with partners such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council and the Supplier Clearinghouse.
Grullard considered certification after a member of Charter’s procurement team suggested he look into it. “It took about 90 days to get the official certification, and it turned out to be worth the time,” he said.
Looking ahead, he is expanding MidSpan Telecom’s footprint into neighboring states.
As published in Latino Leaders, July / August 2021, “Supplier Diversity Programs Enhance Growth Prospects for Hispanic Businesses,” a Charter Communications special feature. Original spread available as PDF.