Meet Tammy Cohen, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of InfoMart, Inc., a global identity and background screening company that provides the technology and data clients need to screen customers, job applicants, and contractors.
Each year, WBENC presents 14 women business owners with the prestigious Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Star Award, the nation’s premier recognition for excellence among certified women-owned businesses, honoring female owners for their leadership skills, business success, and ability to serve as an inspiration to others.
Meet Tammy Cohen, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, of InfoMart, Inc.
Tammy’s legacy of groundbreaking started in 1989 when she was just 25 years old. She was an administrative assistant and was frustrated with her employer’s unequal leadership, so she quit and decided to start her own background check business, despite not having a degree or money in the bank. With only her computer, which she was still paying off, Tammy worked tirelessly to pull all of the pieces together and InfoMart was born. At the time, not many people were well versed in using computers. Since Tammy had been fortunate to learn how to use computers before they were in most offices, she had a leg up when it came to technology.
For the first five years, InfoMart didn’t receive significant funding and Tammy faced numerous challenges. She had no experience pioneering a background screening business and she was trying to to so in a male-dominated industry. But Tammy wouldn’t let these challenges stop her. In fact, they prepared her for all of the challenges she would face for the next 30 years and taught her to accept difficult situations as they come.
Instead of worrying or panicking, Tammy learned to immediately start thinking of a solution, determine next steps, and overcome challenges before they even arose.
In 1997, InfoMart was awarded its first business award. To be recognized among other thriving businesses as a contributing source for other local companies’ success is Tammy’s proudest business moment. It was the seal of approval that all her late nights were worth it, and was proof that InfoMart was going to grow and influence global employers and the background screening industry as a whole.
And grow it did. InfoMart has gone from using index cards and fax machines to developing a first-to-market biometric identity screening solution that revolutionized background checks. Now InfoMart is recognized by Workforce as one of the top 10 largest screening providers in the industry.
Tammy is “The Ground-Breaker” because, against all odds, she threw caution to the wind and started her own successful business enterprise, never letting anything stand in her way.
Tammy shares guiding words for newly certified WBEs, her advice for new entrepreneurs, and what she views as benefits of being part of the WBENC network.
What guiding words would you like to share with a newly certified WBE who is looking to get involved in the WBENC community?
Two key words to remember are “involvement” and “participation” in the WBE community. You must be involved in the activities to seize the opportunity and meet people. However, just because you meet someone and complete a portal doesn’t give you a contract. You must create real relationships with WBEs and corporate suppliers. I have made countless friendships by constantly participating, and those friendships continue to grow.
What advice do you have for a new entrepreneur?
I found that being a successful business owner requires an extra level or determination and strength. You can’t just reach for the stars; you must find a way to grab them and claim them for yourself no matter the struggle. I do this by praying in the morning for power, favor, and wisdom. At night, I pray for forgiveness and peace. Every moment in between, focus on being grateful for the opportunities that came your way and for the opportunities you can create for others.
What do you view as benefits of being part of the WBENC network?
The WBENC network has offered me incredible professional growth opportunities—I’ve collected tips on how to best represent InfoMart via sales, marketing, accounting, business strategy, and so much more. The client opportunities that the WBENC network opens, combined with my own ability to identify valuable propositions, resulted in the growth of my business and the expansion of my brand as a technology expert and thought leader. This community will help you thrive if you seize every opportunity and grab every star within reach.
InfoMart is a global identity and background screening company that provides the technology and data needed to screen customers, job applicants, and contractors. Our solutions seamlessly integrate, quickly onboard, and mitigate risk while reducing the time to contract or hire.
Powered by innovative technology, AI, a RESTful API, and customizable solutions, InfoMart streamlines screening and onboarding for startups all the way up to the Fortune 500. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy.
