Alpha Custom Apparel Founder Christina Ongert and her team recently received a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) certification from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, becoming one of a small number of companies in the county to receive the designation.
Alpha Custom Apparel Founder Christina Ongert and her team recently received a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) certification from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, becoming one of a small number of companies in the county to receive the designation.
WEST BEND — Alpha Custom Apparel recently received certification as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
According to information from the certification’s description on the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program website, to qualify for this certification, a business must be at least 51% owned, controlled, and actively managed by a woman or women and must serve a useful business function.
According to founder Christina Ongert, the certification allows for her business to qualify for different opportunities within her industry, especially those looking to fulfill certain metrics. Ongert’s business was founded to help serve independent fashion brands, organizations, companies, and e-commerce retailers with their sourcing, textile/product production and other manufacturing requirements.
“There are a lot of benefits. For example, a lot of companies and government organizations have certain diversity metrics that they are required to make,” Ongert said. “When you’re supporting a grant, or putting a bid in with different companies or government agencies, having this certification can help set you apart from people who don’t when there are those kinds of requirements for that specific bid.”
Another large benefit of this certification is the addition of each certified business to the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Certified Business Database on its website. This allows potential customers and associates to more easily find these businesses when they are looking to utilize a given service.
“It’s a really good way to be found and helps with marketing a lot,” Ongert said. “Our business is largely referral, word-ofmouth and/or previous business connections, so having an official platform where we can be found is a huge benefit. We have already had people reach out.”
Ongert also expressed pride and excitement at the opportunity, noting that to finally receive the certification after a long and arduous process was very gratifying.
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“It’s very rewarding and exciting. It took several months to complete all of the steps and to get that notification. It was a great way to kick off 2025,” Ongert said. “As far as I know, we are one of 15 women-owned businesses in Washington County, and to be able to go through the hoops to get that is a point of pride and something that I think the team can really stand on and be proud of.”
Ongert also expressed pride in the opportunities businesses like hers are making for future women interested in going into the business field.
“It helps encourage young women when they’re thinking about their career. Seeing women in strong leadership positions can help make young people feel like they can do it too,” said Ongert. “I’ve had a lot of young people express interest in doing what we do, and I’ve told them that they can be successful and that this is one of the things out there that can help them do that. They should take advantage of those resources (now) because they don’t always exist.”
The West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce posted on social media recently celebrating the achievement along with the business, as well as commending them on their efforts that earned them this distinction.
“This certification highlights Alpha Custom Apparel’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence as a business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and actively managed by women,” the Chamber said in the post. “Alpha Custom Apparel’s achievement not only strengthens their business but also inspires and empowers women entrepreneurs across our community.”
For more information about Alpha Custom Apparel, their mission and the services they provide, people can go online and visit their website at alphacustomapparel.com.
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