Carlson Labs (Arlington Heights, IL) has been in business since 1965 as one woman’s mission to improve her family’s health through nutrition. Founder Susan Carlson’s father suffered from cardiac issues, but found support through naturally sourced vitamin E. Carlson was inspired by the discovery, and used her background as a pharmacist to create one of the first full lines of natural vitamin E products.

To this day, Carlson Labs is still family-owned and female-led by Carlson’s daughters, Carilyn Anderson and Kirsten Carlson, who serve as president and vice president, respectively.

On May 22, the company announced it received a national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Development Center Midwest (WBDC-Midwest), a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

The WBENC standard implemented by WBDC-Midwest is a meticulous process, requiring an in-depth review of the business and a site inspection, the company said. The certification process is deigned to confirm the business is at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman (or women), along with the appropriate structure and strategic business planning.

“Earning our WBENC Certification was extremely important to us,” Anderson said. “It’s the ultimate seal for women-owned businesses in the United States and provides an outstanding network of female business leaders. Being part of this community means we’re devoted to not just delivering high-quality nutritional supplements but also promoting the professional advancement of women.”

Carlson Labs is now one of more than 18,000 certified Women’s Business Enterprises.

For more information, visit www.carlsonlabs.com or www.wbenc.org.