6 Wheels Consulting Is SWaM Certified!

I have some exciting news! After applying a few months ago, 6 Wheels Consulting became SWam Certified this October!

The SWaM (the Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned) Business Certification Program helps a variety of business owners access opportunities. According to SWaM, “the purpose [of the certificate] is to enhance procurement opportunities for SWaM businesses participating in state-funded projects.”

6 Wheels Consulting falls under the small business category and is considered a Micro-SWaM, meaning we have “no more than twenty-five employees and no more than $3 million in average annual revenue over the three-year period prior to certification.”

The SWaM Certification will last until October 2026 and will give 6 Wheels Consulting a leg-up when it comes to getting state contracts and other opportunities and jobs.

I’m grateful that 6 Wheels received SWaM Certification and I can’t wait to pursue new opportunities!

PHOTO: Blue and green photo that reads Certified SWAM Small, Women and Minority-Owned. Supplier Diversity Strengthens the Commonwealth by the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity

Major Announcement: Launching The 6 Wheels Consulting Podcast: Discussing Difference, Inclusion, and All Abilities in Today’s World

I have more EXCITING news to share!  I have launched a new podcast, called the 6 Wheels Consulting Podcast: Discussing Difference, Inclusion, and All Abilities in Today’s World.  My cohost, Bob Nolley, and I recorded the introductory episode a few weeks back and it is now live on iTunes.  I look forward to working on more episodes soon.

Every 45-60-minute episode will focus on different issues people with disability face, and we aim to release a new episode around once a month and occasionally more frequently. We’ll be covering a wide range of topics, talking about everything from representation in the media to maintaining relationships. After our Introductory episode, we hope to feature guests in future episodes to talk about their personal experiences and their areas of expertise in the disability world.

Ultimately, the goal of the podcast is to get people thinking differently about disability. The more discussions we have with and about people with disabilities, the closer we are to a more inclusive world.

You can find the podcast and the inaugural episode on iTunes HERE.  Give it a listen and let us know what you think!  Make sure you like it and put it in your podcast library so you will be aware of future episodes. Also, follow the 6 Wheels social media pages to receive updates, or to provide us with future episode topic ideas or to let us know you would like to be a guest on a future episode!  We want to hear from you!

PHOTO: Here is the logo for the 6 Wheels Consulting Podcast.  Is a white version of the six wheels logo on an orange background.  The text reads 6 Wheels Podcast with Matthew Shapiro.jpg

Major Announcement: Introducing the 6 Wheels Certification Program

PHOTO: 6 Wheels Consulting, LLC Logo

Over the past few months, I’ve been working on a new program to help organizations and businesses create a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities. Simply complying with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) often doesn’t mean an environment is inclusive—a barrier-free environment that allows everyone, regardless of ability, to have access to everything. After thinking about how to go beyond consulting, I decided to create a new tool, to go along with the services we already provide, to help solve some of these challenges.  I am thrilled and excited to announce the 6 Wheels Certification Program!

The 6 Wheels Certification Program will ultimately acknowledge that an organization or facility has worked to place inclusion above compliance for people with disabilities. The areas that will be assessed include physical space, staff training and policies, and inclusivity within marketing and online presence (including social media pages, marketing, etc). After an assessment, we’ll work with the organization’s leaders to make changes in the above areas. Once the changes have been implemented, a location will have the opportunity to be certified.

People with disabilities are often forgotten in the marketplace, despite the fact that the disability community and their families have an estimated 220 billion dollars in discretionary spending. 6 Wheels Certification will ensure that people with disabilities aren’t overlooked. When people with disabilities see that a location has been 6 Wheels Certified, they can feel confident in knowing that the business or organization has a long-term, lasting commitment of inclusion to people within the disability community.

I’m proud of the 6 Wheels Certification program and I know it will make a difference for people with disabilities. I look forward to working with people in our community to create spaces that aren’t just compliant but inclusive.

If you would like your business to become 6 Wheels Certified please contact Matthew Shapiro today at matthew.shapiro@6wheelsconsulting.com or 804-317-0818 and ask him about this amazing new program being offered by 6 Wheels Consulting, LLC.

PHOTO: Red words read Get Certified!