THE READINESS STANDARD™
Become Certified and Ready to Win the Contract.
Certification can open new doors for your business. The Readiness Standard™ helps ensure you're ready to walk through them.
Nationally recognized procurement expert, Talia Johnson-Huff in partnership with the Women's Business Center at Canisius University, will enable you to pursue government, institutional, corporate, and supplier-diversity opportunities with confidence.
Prepare your business to compete for real contract opportunities.
The Readiness Standard™ is an 8-week program where you'll receive expert guidance through the certification process while simultaneously strengthening every part of your business that procurement buyers evaluate. Instead of completing your certification and wondering what to do next (or if you’re doing it right)… you'll finish the program with a certification strategy, stronger business systems, and a clear roadmap for pursuing opportunities.
Because our goal isn't simply helping you become certified. Our goal is helping you become ready.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Over eight interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to:
Become the Business Buyers Are Looking For
Position your business with confidence so agencies, corporations, and prime contractors clearly understand your value and why you're the right choice.
Stand Out with Confidence
Create a compelling capability
statement that clearly communicates your expertise and helps you make a strong first impression with buyers.
Navigate Procurement with Clarity
Replace confusion with confidence by understanding how contracts are awarded and what buyers expect from qualified suppliers.
Build a Business That's Ready to Compete
Strengthen the systems, documentation, and business practices that give buyers confidence in your ability to perform.
Turn Certification into Opportunity
Understand how to leverage MWBE and SDVOB certification as a growth strategy, not just a credential.
Pursue the Right Opportunities
Develop a focused strategy for identifying opportunities that align with your business, strengths, and long-term goals.
QUALIFICATIONS
Is The Readiness Standard right for you?
This program is right for you if...
- You own an established business with a proven product or service.
- You're ready to pursue MWBE or SDVOB certification.
- You've started the certification process but feel stuck or overwhelmed.
- You want to compete for government, institutional, corporate, or prime contractor work.
- You're ready to build a procurement-ready business—not just earn a certification.
This program is not for you if...
- You're still in the idea stage of starting a business.
- You're looking for general business training.
- You expect certification alone to generate contracts.
- You're not ready to complete the work required for certification and contract readiness.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Your eight-session certification bootcamp
Duration:
Eight bi-weekly sessions
Session Length:
2–2½ hours
Location:
Women's Business Center at Canisius University
(Virtual participation available when applicable.)
Offered:
Fall & Spring
Fall Session Dates
September 1, 2026
September 8, 2026
September 15, 2026
September 22, 2026
September 29, 2026
October 6, 2026
October 12, 2026
October 20, 2026
Time
5:30 - 8:30pm
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
The founder behind The Readiness Standard™
Talia Johnson-Huff
Nationally Recognized MWBE & Supplier Readiness Expert
Founder & CEO, MWBE Constructors, Inc.
When it comes to MWBE certification and procurement readiness, few people bring the same depth of experience as Talia Johnson-Huff.
A nationally recognized leader in supplier diversity, construction, infrastructure, and procurement strategy, Talia has spent more than 20 years helping businesses navigate the path from certification to contract success.
What makes her perspective truly unique is that she understands procurement from both sides of the table. As both a successful entrepreneur and a professional who evaluates contracting requirements and manages public-sector projects, she knows exactly what agencies, procurement professionals, and prime contractors look for when selecting businesses to work with.
She created The Readiness Standard™ after seeing too many business owners earn certification, but never receive the guidance needed to compete with confidence.
Now, through her partnership with the Women's Business Center at Canisius University, you'll have the rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the nation's leading voices in MWBE readiness and supplier development.
"It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from an expert who has spent her career helping businesses become the kind of suppliers buyers are ready to hire."
TESTIMONIALS
What Clients Are Saying
I finally understand what buyers are actually looking for. The certification piece was the easy part—Talia helped me build the systems I needed to feel ready to bid.
Renee M.
Founder, Cohort 2025
This program gave me a roadmap instead of a to-do list. I walked away with pricing, documentation, and a capability statement I’m proud of.
Andrea P.
Owner, Consulting Firm
No one tells you how procurement actually works until you’re already in the room. The Readiness Standard filled in every gap for me.
Kim T.
Founder, Construction Services
Frequently Asked Questions
The Readiness Standard™ was created to answer the questions most business owners are still asking after the certification conversation ends.
How do I know if my business is actually ready?
What are buyers evaluating beyond my certification?
How do I position my business professionally?
What systems should I have in place before pursuing opportunities?
How do I avoid costly mistakes that could hurt my business?
How do I build confidence before the opportunity arrives?
Those are the questions we'll answer together.
ENROLLMENT OPEN
Enrolling in The Readiness Standard™ is an invest in your future.
The Readiness Standard™ is more than a certification program. It's an opportunity to learn alongside other ambitious business owners, receive expert guidance from a nationally recognized leader, and build the confidence and readiness to pursue new opportunities.
Through this partnership, the Women's Business Center is able to offer this comprehensive bootcamp for just $397, which is a fraction of what similar certification and procurement programs typically cost.
The Readiness Standard™
$397
Don’t wait! Seats are limited and expected to sell out.