Understanding. Guidance. Expertise.
Keen Independent is a national research and consulting firm with long-standing experience examining the barriers faced by disadvantaged and small business owners. Our team has completed more than 200 studies and conducted tens of thousands of interviews with DBEs, ACDBEs and other business owners across the country. This work has built a detailed, evidence-based understanding of the challenges owners encounter in education, employment, business development and access to capital.
We have worked closely with local, state and federal certification programs for many years, including recent pilot efforts with a public agency following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s introduction of the Personal Narrative requirement. Our methods reflect current regulatory expectations and incorporate guidance from legal experts who monitor court decisions affecting DBE and ACDBE programs.
Keen Independent applies this experience to support business owners directly. Our goal is to provide you a structured, one-on-one supportive service that helps you explain your experiences clearly. We will help you prepare your Personal Narrative that you may submit to the certifying agency at your discretion.