Gene Waddy’s story as an entrepreneur began with a stumble. However as a substitute of falling, he took a leap of religion and thrived.

Waddy was laid off by his employer, a significant agency, in 2005. However with a wealth of expertise in IT staffing and payroll administration, he noticed this as a chance to construct one thing nice.

A Numerous Enterprise Success Story

“After I was laid off, it was like getting kicked out of the nest. However I landed in entrepreneurial heaven. Independence Blue Cross (IBX) was an enormous a part of that,” says Waddy, now CEO of Alpha Enterprise Options. “There are a variety of challenges that include beginning an organization, and a kind of is entry to capital. Even in case you have important skilled expertise, banks see new ventures as dangers themselves. After I launched my first enterprise, Diversant, having the early help of IBX made an enormous distinction.”

With Diversant, Waddy was capable of assist his shoppers discover the correct IT expertise — expert workers who might meet their particular person wants — whereas additionally taking time to mentor different entrepreneurs from communities of coloration.

Launched in 2017, Alpha Enterprise Options presents transformative range packages that assist shoppers enhance and handle numerous spending, whereas selling range and inclusion within the provide chain and work pressure. Through the years, Alpha has emerged as one in every of IBX’s prime suppliers, whereas additionally contributing to its personal range initiatives.

“Gene and his corporations — first Diversant, and later Alpha Enterprise Options — have had an incredible affect on us,” mentioned Chuck Stefanosky, IBX provider range director. “Their experience have helped us onboard gifted workers extra shortly and economically than we’d performed with different suppliers.”

“Independence Blue Cross’s dedication to supporting minority enterprise enterprises by means of the Provider Range Program actually speaks volumes,” Waddy says. “They took an opportunity on us, and after I ultimately bought Diversant and constructed Alpha Enterprise Options, their dedication and our relationship continued to thrive.”

The Worth of the IBX Networking Group

“One of many nice issues we’ve been capable of obtain with Independence Blue Cross is the event of the IBX Networking Group. The group is an ecosystem of numerous professionals and minority-owned companies that empowers and strengthens members professionally by means of mentorship and comradery,” Waddy shares. “It’s a solution to pay it ahead. We’re not on this sport alone — now we have to work collectively. IBX offers the atmosphere for that ecosystem to develop.”

The IBX Networking Group members search for methods to assist one another create and broaden alternatives. As of August 2023, the varied companies which can be a part of the IBX Networking Group have generated greater than $30 million in pipeline alternatives with regional corporations that may be straight attributed to their networking actions.

A Workforce that Resembles the Neighborhood it Serves

Waddy appreciates the best way Independence Blue Cross acknowledges the significance of strengthening and empowering a workforce — and a provider base — that’s consultant of the area.

“The demographics of the nation are altering, and increasingly more Black and Brown persons are turning into economically empowered. Thriving, numerous companies gasoline that progress in a wide range of methods,” Waddy explains.

“We should additionally give attention to diverse-ownership tradition. As an proprietor, you have got pores and skin within the sport and a vested curiosity locally round you. For me, that non-public stake makes me continuously take into consideration learn how to give again. It’s not nearly legacy. It’s not nearly cash. It’s in regards to the larger ecosystem. That’s vital to me, and IBX understands that significance as properly.”

IBX’s Provider Range Program

IBX’s Provider Range Program launched greater than 30 years in the past. Annually it helps create 1000’s of jobs whereas producing thousands and thousands of {dollars} towards native, state, and federal economies.

“When you say that you simply’re a provider at Independence Blue Cross, folks take discover, as a result of if you are able to do it with them, you have got a confirmed monitor report,” Waddy says. “As a consequence of our relationship with IBX, now we have closed and purchased at the least three extra contracts with different Fortune 500 corporations.”

“Working with Gene and his groups has been seamless,” added Stefanosky. “Gene got here to us with an answer to onboard contractors that was a win for each of our organizations. He has been an unimaginable companion.”

Relationships that Matter

After virtually twenty years as a profitable entrepreneur, Waddy has discovered that it’s not simply in regards to the {dollars} and cents. What issues most is the assistance that may be provided to others.

“All of us have a superpower, and we want a protected and nurturing place to learn to use it. That’s what Independence Blue Cross presents,” Waddy shares. “They take the time to get to know their suppliers. That means, once they want one thing, they don’t need to be reactive. They know their companions. They’re proactive. It’s one thing that makes them actually particular.”

“Efficient suppliers perceive that impactful relationships are key to our shared success. I think about Gene to be a trusted advisor, and he continuously asks me what he can do for IBX,” continued Stefanosky. “Along with the work that his firm performs for Independence Blue Cross, he’s one in every of my ‘go-to’ sources to search out different best-in-class, high-performing, numerous suppliers. Everybody wants an individual like Gene as a trusted advisor.”