To XBE or not to XBE?
October 31, 2024
It should come as no surprise that much of what is required to start a business is administrative.
There are legal and compliance to-dos which can include registering your business, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and staying current on tax laws and regulations.
There are financial management to-dos which can include setting up a bookkeeping system, tracking income and expenses, filing taxes…
There are human resource to-dos which can include talent acquisition, performance management, payroll process, and adherence to applicable labor laws…
There are insurance to-dos which can include obtaining varying flavors of coverage (i.e. general liability, property, workers' compensation, etc.).
There are operational to-dos which can include managing inventory, supply chain, and logistics - particularly for businesses manufacturing tangible goods.
There are “Smarketing” to-dos (Sales + Marketing) which can include developing a GTM strategy, building brand, generating revenue and delivering customer experiences.
Blah blah.
And while technology can and should streamline many of these tasks, time and resources must absolutely be spent.
No way around it.
Or else.
THEN, perhaps another administrative to-do if you were born, for example, a woman… and/or of color, and/or etc. (and therefore blessed and highly favored):
… DIVERSE-OWNED BUSINESS CERTIFICATIONS.
Having fully immersed myself in the world of what I’ll call XBEs, my stance is a curious, and arguably conflicted one.
Some certification definitions and notes before I unpack said stance:
The definitions:
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE): For businesses owned by Asian Americans, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and/or Native Americans.
- Women's Business Enterprise (WBE): For businesses owned and controlled by women.
- Veteran-Owned Business (VOB): For businesses owned by veterans.
- LGBTQ+ Business Enterprise (LGBTBE): For businesses owned by individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, queer, intersex, asexual, and/or etc.
- Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE): For businesses owned by individuals with disabilities.
The note(s):
- An organization must be AT LEAST 51% owned by a member of the above groups to be eligible for certification.
- XBE certifications were created to address historical and systemic inequalities and disadvantages faced by diverse-owned businesses. They set out to level the playing field by
- making diverse businesses more visible to potential clients and partners,
- providing access to financing and investment opportunities,
- connecting diverse business owners with corporate buyers,
- helping corporations meet their diversity and inclusion objectives.
The stance:
On the one hand, certifications like MBE, WBE, VOB, LGBTBE, and DOBE can (and do) open doors and for diverse business owners. There are countless articles, testimonies, and think-pieces that substantiate this fact. So, if interested, happy googling, but I want to spend time on the other hand.
(And yes, Midearix IS a certified minority and women’s business enterprise.)
That said, here’s where I struggle:
The reality is that diverse business certification is NOT a prerequisite for business dealings. Yet, my observation is that we’ve either conditioned diverse business owners to believe that certification is par for the course in pursuit of the American Dream or that "certified" should be synonymous with "enterprise ready" when I'd argue "nah."
Going through the process myself, I had to confront and acknowledge my privilege. Said differently, not every diverse-owned business has the resources or inclination to pursue certification. The process is time-intensive, expensive, and red taped.
- Time: Varied depending on the specific certification and the organization providing it, sure, but call it a 60 to 120 day wait AFTER an application is submitted.
- Money: XBE fees can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands depending on region, business size, and whether or not the owner belongs to a chamber of commerce. Additional costs can include professional services, if accountants or lawyers are hired to prepare essential administrative documents, or site visits need be conducted to verify business operations, which could require travel expenses. Then, certs expire annually in most cases, so. Ready your dues, or lose your status.
- (“Brick wall”) Bureaucracy: If your application fee check bounces, as an example, there are organizations who will NEVER permit you to certify again.
Questions that have crossed my mind, in no particular order (again, Midearix is certified):
... I need to pay an agency to validate my womanhood?
... I need to pay an agency to validate my Blackness? (I am VISIBLY and INDISPUTABLY of color, y’all.)
... Is there no additional interest in, for example, a live walkthrough of Midearix’s product and service offerings? Or our unique value proposition? Or, is a cleared check the bar?
... Has the certification economy grown at rate that, present day, renders it systemically incapable of driving inclusive commerce for the very businesses it intends to help?
... What sustains the power of social construct? And who should be responsible for redistributing that power if/when it makes more sense?
... Who should define what makes more sense?
Midearix aims to be an active participant in (and at the forefront of) the conversations these questions inspire.
And, in the between time,
You do not have to be a certified XBE to partner with us.
… That is the answer.
GRAPEVINE, Texas, Feb. 4, 2025 – Midearix, a leading Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), has announced a new strategic partnership with Procurement Foundry, the premier private community for Procurement and Sourcing professionals. Through this partnership, Procurement Foundry members will benefit from Midearix’s extensive network of consolidated agreements with top-tier industry providers. This collaboration will provide Procurement Foundry members with exclusive access to Midearix’s pre-negotiated supplier agreements, offering significant purchasing savings and a more streamlined supplier engagement process. By leveraging these agreements, businesses can unlock valuable discounts, simplify the purchasing process, and access high-quality products and services at competitive prices. "This partnership is a natural extension of our mission to help organizations leverage collective buying as an integral part of their supply chain management strategy,” said Madison Mobley, founder and CEO of Midearix. “We expect our combined efforts will result in compounding benefits for Procurement Foundry members." Mike Cadieux, Founder of Procurement Foundry, also expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership: "We are very excited about working with Midearix. Quite simply we have a community with thousands of corporate buyers looking to reduce costs, and evaluate new suppliers. Midearix is locking in supplier agreements with discounts daily. It’s a win-win for all.” Beyond cost savings, this collaboration empowers members with greater purchasing flexibility and access to a trusted supplier network, ultimately enhancing overall procurement efficiency. About Procurement Foundry Procurement Foundry is a premier private community that connects Procurement and Sourcing professionals, providing them with a platform for networking, collaboration, and access to exclusive industry resources. Members gain insights from peers, suppliers, and experts while driving innovation and continuous improvement in their procurement strategies. About Midearix Midearix is a collective buying engine that accelerates revenue growth and enhances profitability for its stakeholders. Members gain access to competitive pricing and significant cost savings through customized agreements, while supplier partners benefit from fast-tracked access to new sales channels through community-led growth. As a minority- and woman-owned business, all business transacted on the Midearix platform drives economic impact. For more information on this partnership and how Procurement Foundry members can access Midearix’s exclusive offers, contact Ania Domian, VP of Community, ania.domian@midearix.com. Media Contact: Brittnee Gaines brittnee.gaines@midearix.com www.midearix.com
GRAPEVINE, TX – January 13, 2025 – Midearix, a group purchasing entity, and Solutions Travel, an industry leading end-to-end travel management provider powered by Spotnana online booking technology, have officially announced their strategic partnership. “This exclusive travel partnership grants Midearix members access to best-in-class travel management solutions at a preferred rate providing access to lower airline fares, hotel and car rental rates, as well as industry leading technologies”, says Midearix Founder and CEO, Madison Mobley. Solutions Travel brings its clients future-forward travel technology with a strong service orientation, a global platform, access to real-time data, open APIs (for seamless integration with your preferred HR and expense systems). “Giving travelers visibility into content from multiple sources through direct channels to Low-Cost Airlines and other suppliers eliminates the need to “shop around”, supporting the full traveler journey from booking to post-ticketing changes with 24/7/365 servicing” , stated Brett Leslie. SVP of Strategy & Growth for Solutions Travel. Whether a client requires VIP services, groups and meeting services, Solutions delivers with multilingual availability. Clients can reach Solutions via their preferred method - phone, email and chat. Travelers have full mobility to book, communicate and manage travel through a native iOS and Android app which offers all of the functionality experienced through the desktop version. No matter the choice, all systems are integrated and monitored to reinforce savings, duty of care and proactive support, at a low flat fee per trip. If you are considering a modern, user-focused travel management solution, become a Midearix member today and explore Solutions Travel’s modern travel management solutions. For Midearix membership inquiries, contact Ania Domian at ania.domian@midearix.com . To learn more about Solutions Travel, contact Brett Leslie at brettl@solutionstravel.com . About Solutions Travel Solutions Travel is a full-service Travel Management Company providing global travel services 24/7/365. Solutions clients use the Spotnana platform which operates throughout the world, allowing direct connectivity to suppliers such as airlines and hotels along with other integrated services such as Duty of Care, Sustainability and Expense Management. For more information, visit www.solutionstravel.com . About Midearix Midearix is a collective buying engine that accelerates revenue growth and enhances profitability for its stakeholders. Members gain access to competitive pricing and significant cost savings through customized agreements, while supplier partners benefit from fast-tracked access to new sales channels through community-led growth. As a minority- and woman-owned business, all business transacted on the Midearix platform drives economic impact. For more information, visit www.midearix.com .
Midearix Announces New Partnership with Rygen Technologies, Leading Supply Chain Technology Provider
Midearix and Rygen Technologies bring to market a collective buying offering— exclusively for Midearix members—which includes Corsair Transportation Management System (TMS) and X1 Integrations Platform as a Service (iPaaS). GRAPEVINE, TX – January 10, 2025 – Midearix, a group purchasing collective, and Rygen, an industry leading supply chain technology solutions provider, officially announced their strategic partnership. This partnership will enable Midearix members to access Rygen's best-in-class technology solutions at a distinctive rate to realize a return on investment (ROI) in weeks, rather than years. The solutions that members will have access to are Corsair TMS and X1 iPaaS: Corsair TMS is a SaaS-based platform that prioritizes ease of use, operational efficiency, and configurable capabilities, giving users the agility and flexibility to address real-world challenges. This modern solution makes easy work of onboarding carriers, executing transactions, and maintaining end-to-end visibility of shipments, all while keeping the user at the center and ensuring a smooth, intuitive workflow. The cloud-native nature of Corsair allows users to connect with a wide range of suppliers, customers, and providers. X1 iPaaS is Rygen’s advanced integration engine that takes a user-forward, document-centric approach to integrations. The platform allows users to create and manage integrations faster and more efficiently than ever, while significantly reducing implementation time and cost. Obtain a high degree of visibility and traceability right out of the box and decrease the level of involvement needed from existing IT resources. Easily connect to supply chain partners—whether they rely on modern APIs, robust messaging queues, web-services, EDI, spreadsheets and/or text files. If you are considering switching your TMS and integration capabilities for advanced technologies that offer user-focused features, become a Midearix member today and explore Rygen’s modern software solutions. For Midearix membership inquiries, contact Ania Domian at ania.domian@midearix.com . To learn more about Rygen’s modern software solutions, contact Jonathan Wollschleager at jwollschleager@rygen.com . About Rygen Rygen Technologies is a leading provider of state-of-the-art supply chain solutions that empower users to quickly, easily, and efficiently execute and manage freight, connect with partners, and seamlessly integrate with other operating systems. By leveraging advanced technology, the company is creating smarter, data-driven solutions, supported by excellent customer service to deliver real value. For more information, visit www.rygen.com About Midearix Midearix is a collective buying engine that accelerates revenue growth and enhances profitability for its stakeholders. Members gain access to competitive pricing and significant cost savings through customized agreements, while supplier partners benefit from fast-tracked access to new sales channels through community-led growth. As a minority- and woman-owned business, all business transacted on the Midearix platform drives economic impact. For more information, visit www.midearix.com
GRAPEVINE, Texas, Jan. 9, 2025 / PRNewswire / -- Midearix, a spend solutions provider, announces the launch of its group purchasing platform, transforming traditional collective buying with a focus on emerging growth segments and "as-a-Service" spend categories. By seizing key growth opportunities in the traditional GPO model and leveraging community-driven growth, Midearix sets a new standard for frictionless commerce and value creation. Offerings include, but are not limited to: transportation management, contract lifecycle management, corporate travel, network infrastructure, intelligent knowledge assistance, and renewable energy – categories often excluded from traditional GPOs. "We're combining the cost saving benefits of traditional GPOs with the strategic expertise of a go-to-market partner," said Madison Mobley, Founder and CEO of Midearix. "Our model delivers pre-negotiated and vetted agreements, shorter sales cycles, and the strategic depth suppliers need to enhance their revenue generation efforts." Prominent voices in supply chain management are endorsing Midearix's approach. Greg Tennyson, former Chief Procurement Officer at Oracle and Salesforce, remarked, "Midearix represents groundbreaking innovation, identifying gaps in the GPO model they are uniquely equipped to bridge. The industry will welcome its vision." Mike Cadieux, CEO of Procurement Foundry, added, "Midearix will fundamentally change how buyers think about group purchasing and how suppliers align their revenue generation priorities." "For any business to succeed in today's market, cost optimization is no longer a differentiator—it's table stakes," Mobley emphasized. "The future of group purchasing demands partnerships that drive adaptability, ease of transacting business, and differentiated value. Midearix is building a network where procurement and go-to-market leaders collaborate seamlessly to drive mutual success. Stay tuned as we unveil more about how—and with whom—we're making this happen." About Midearix Midearix is a collective buying engine that accelerates revenue growth and enhances profitability for its stakeholders. Members gain access to competitive pricing and significant cost savings through customized agreements, while supplier partners benefit from fast-tracked access to new sales channels through community-led growth. As a minority- and woman-owned business, all business transacted on the Midearix platform drives economic impact. For more information on becoming a member or supply partner, visit www.midearix.com . For media inquiries, contact Brittnee Gaines, Director of Brand & Communications, at brittnee.gaines@midearix.com SOURCE Midearix
It’s that time again (to excitedly share another supplier partner), but first, the housekeeping: ✔️ Game link is here: https://lnkd.in/gA7xK7VK ✔️ Click the “i” for game rules (but, note…) ✔️ FIVE attempts in our world, NOT six. ✔️ TWO hints, via Captain Obvious. (5 letters, company name) ✔️ ZERO incremental hints. ✔️ And, WHEN you win, shoot us (MIDEARIX) a DM. Happy playing, and let the hashtag #GPOlympicGames resume. 💁🏽✨🌟 P.S. Please be reminded, “formal” press releases to follow detailing our “why,” but for now, kindly stay focused on the “who,” thanks.
It’s time (to share our first supplier partner), but first, some housekeeping: ✔️ Game link is here: https://lnkd.in/g_eN7QCF ✔️ Click the “i” for game rules (but, note…) ✔️ FIVE attempts in our world, NOT six. ✔️ TWO hints, via Captain Obvious. (Comments.) ✔️ ZERO incremental hints. ✔️ And, WHEN you win, drop us a line. Happy playing, and let the #GPOlympicGames commence. 💁🏽✨🌟 P.S. Yes. Yes, “formal” press releases to follow detailing our “why,” but for now, kindly stay focused on the “who,” thanks.
I clam up when it’s time for the “let’s go around the table and share what we’re thankful for” meal-interrupt. Because I prefer not to do warm-and-fuzzies aloud. Or ever, really. But also, Because most days I write significantly better than I orate. So, when that part of the day arrives, I usually joke and 30,000-foot-view my way through it. Truth is though, I’ve been keeping a running list of the random people, places, things, and ideas that have brought me joy since the beginning of 2023 (now 872 long, with goal to grow the list to 1095 before year end). And when I type “brought me joy,” I mean, “invited me to think differently.” ... Because what is joy anyway? While I’ll be sparing the list in its entirety, particularly the people and ideas bits, places and things like Bikram Yoga North Texas LLC, South Polk Pizzeria (seafood pizza), Vegan Vibrationz (loaded nachos + smoked jackfruit), Kitchen & Kocktails (deviled eggs), Frisco Farmers Market (Chakra Chow), Neighborhood Ice Cream Truck (passionfruit sorbet), Casa del Vegano (again, nachos + ceviche), Cinnaholic Irving, Mango Chili Drink LMNT, Dumpkin Spice DUDE Wipes, 45 min Peloton Interactive rides, No Cow bars, Vega’s Mocha sport protein, Southern Methodist University Football, Grapevine Olive Oil Company (Cowtown Java), and the Dallas Wings are present and accounted for. List aside, what I’ve learned this year, more than any other prior, is that every chance encounter, every moment, every happening, every brand we engage with (once, repeatedly and/or why), and all we consume… whether or not we apply meaning to it in the moment... … is preparing us for something. Something to do. Something to be. Something to become. Something to understand more completely. Something to share or pay forward. Opportunities to check our premises, renew our perspectives, and cultivate “joy” are EVERYWHERE. All that to say this: I don’t know exactly who or what MIDEARIX will become, but every conversation she’s been apart of to date has been inspired, energized, mission-centric, forward thinking, future facing, good-humored. Soon we will formally introduce our supplier partners (also present and accounted for on the aforementioned list, but let me build some suspense, thanks)… … Companies innovating in leagues of their own, powered by brilliant minds. Til then, to them and all who have already contributed to our development, THANK YOU. To those wanting to support, but unsure of where to start, for now, we invite you to follow our company page. Additionally, the following calls-to-action are evergreen: Become a member: Individuals and business entities seeking cost savings and/or diverse spend solutions. Become a supplier partner: Organizations interested in leveraging community-led growth to penetrate net new sales channels. Become a design partner: Entrepreneurial-minded (and unwaveringly candid) folk with bandwidth to help test and shape our platform. Perhaps unsurprisingly, more to come.
Today, we published our first job posting on LinkedIn. Riveting, I know. We received 50 applicants, then got an alert saying our post has been paused. But! We were offered the once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to promote the job at a rate of $150 USD per day to unpause it. In conclusion, we, without hesitation, declined the offer because dollars sans sense, but anyway. Role and responsibilities below whilst LinkedIn remains on pause. Email madison@midearix.com if interested. Kindly tell whoever you perceive fit. Thanks. _______ About Midearix We leverage collective buying power to accelerate revenue growth and enhance profitability for businesses of all sizes. We are seeking a leader with a strong focus on user experience (UX) and business impact to join our founding team and help shape the future of our company. This role will report to our CEO. Position summary As Product Manager at Midearix, you will play a pivotal role in driving the development and success of our flagship product. You will work cross-functionally to develop a user-centric product strategy, gather market insights, and ensure the delivery of high-quality products that meet the needs of our members and supplier partners. Key responsibilities Product vision: Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and execute a comprehensive product strategy aligned with Midearix's mission, emphasizing user-centric design and a focus on exceptional UX. Market research: Conduct in-depth market research to identify member and supplier partner needs, industry trends, and competitive landscape, with a keen eye on user preferences and behaviors. Product roadmap: Create and manage a detailed product roadmap, prioritizing features and functionalities based on business value, member, and supplier partner requirements. Product development: Work cross-functionally to deliver high-quality products that meet both functional and usability requirements. Product launch: Collaborate with stakeholders to plan and execute successful product launches inclusive of marketing campaigns, member and supplier partner education, and sales enablement. Product management: Oversee the product lifecycle, including product maintenance, updates, and feature enhancements, continually evaluating and improving the user experience. Stakeholder feedback: Gather and analyze feedback to inform product improvements and drive member and supplier partner satisfaction. UX design: Work with member and supplier partners to validate product interface is intuitive, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Qualifications Proven product leader: Demonstrated success in product management, with a strong understanding of the product development lifecycle. UX champion: A passion for creating intuitive, user-centric experiences that delight customers. Data-driven decision making: A keen ability to leverage data and analytics to inform product decisions. Cross-functional collaboration: Proven experience working effectively with engineering, design, marketing, and sales teams to achieve product goals. Strategic thinker: A strategic mindset to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop innovative solutions. Strong communication skills: The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Workplace autonomy: Ability to make independent decisions within defined scope, take ownership of projects from start to finish, and prioritize tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Supply chain expertise: A deep understanding of the supply chain industry and its evolving technological landscape preferred. Benefits Competitive salary + benefits. Collaborative culture: A team environment that fosters innovation and celebrates independent thinkers. Professional development: Opportunities for ongoing learning and career advancement. Flexible work arrangements: A flexible work environment that supports work-life alignment. Impactful work: The opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven company and effect change at local and global scale. If you are results-oriented, thrilled about builds, and a bit of a maverick, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume to madison@midearix.com .
I chose to be in bed (and sound asleep) by 8:30pm last night, and when I woke up this morning (yes, in the great nation of Dallas, TX) to the results of Decision 2024, I felt a pressing-supernatural-divinely-inspired-urge to hurl my body into motion. So I did. And will continue. Nothing changes about what we have built to date. Nothing changes about what we are building this season. Nothing changes about what we will continue to build beyond this season. We are energized by our (our = Midearix + Members + Supplier Partners) collective ambition, vision remains crystal clear, and the countdown to "hard launch" has begun. Other than that, I invite you to kindly follow Midearix on LinkedIn .
We knew who we wanted Midearix (pronounced muh-DEAR-ix) to be long before she had a name, but the how-we-got-here was a joyride on a mid-day-train-of-thought. The first name that came to mind was “Magnexus.” Magnexus, with its roots in the words "magnet" and “nexus,” represented the idea of attracting like-minded individuals together for mutual benefit. But, as expected, it had been used. Then it was “Meridian.” Meridian, a line of longitude, symbolized the connection and alignment we seek amongst our members. But, also used. Arguably overused. Then came “SynerGPO.” But, that felt like something between a box and a cage. Perhaps too literal. And too limiting. Because we aren’t JUST a GPO, despite collective purchasing being a battle tested industry that makes good business sense as one our core offerings. Then, an intrusive thought. … Black grandmas. So, next came “coinpurse,”, a term that holds deep cultural significance in the Black community. (Yes, all lowercase for whatever reason.) Coinpurses have long been a symbol of economic survival, resilience, and cultural identity. They represent the ability to manage resources, achieve financial independence, and connect to one's heritage. Then, “coinpouch.” Because I personally don’t “do” purses, but I DO do pouches. But, that felt like a brick wall… a cement ceiling… And, when I took all of the above into account, I hadn’t yet departed from Black grandmas. I call mine DEAR. Midearix, a combination of "Madear,” my paternal grandmother, and "matrix," symbolizes the interconnected network we aim to create. It suggests global reach and innovation. "Mid" can suggest a central or middle position, while "ari" can symbolize air, freedom, movement… The combination of "mid" and "ari" is positively charged, suggesting a sense of openness, possibility, and elevation. “ix" could be interpreted as a combination of "exit" and "fix," suggesting a focus on efficiency and problem-solving. Or, “IX” could be interpreted as the number nine. As in, the month we were incorporated and the month we had our first in person team meeting… Last, but certainly not least, Midearix is wholly original. ONE of ONE. … A name that honors heritage, mission, and the power of collective action. I can't wait to see where she takes us.