February 2011 
WBE of the Month 
Linda McGill Boasmond

WBDC HAll of Fame Luncheon

Linda McGill Boasmond became owner and President of Cedar Concepts in 2003, after spending five years as Technical Director of the chemical manufacturer.  Today, Cedar Concepts remains the only African-American, woman-owned chemical manufacturer in the United States. Cedar Concepts manufactures a variety of surfactants, lubricants and chemical intermediates needed by other businesses to fulfill chemical requirements and capabilities and annually ships over 50 million pounds of products to customers such as Colgate Palmolive, Citgo Petroleum and Boeing. Cedar Concepts has 40 employees and annual sales of more than $10 million dollars.

A Chicago native and DePaul University chemistry graduate, Linda admits that her “company is very small, compared to our competitors, but we are nimble and have a variety of expertise.” Linda’s leadership has earned her many accolades such as Chicago United’s 2009 Business Leaders of Color Award, WBDC’s 2008 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year - Rising Star Award and a feature profile in Black Enterprise Magazine’s “Business Report.”

The WBDC has been essential in the growth of Cedar Concepts according to Linda, “Back when I thought I would have to start a business from scratch, the first place I went to was the Center. The counselors would talk to you about how to develop a business plan. I attended the workshops and the Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference. ”

Another benefit the WBDC has afforded Linda is WBE Certification. "Certification helps in a couple of ways,” says Linda. “Typically, purchasing managers look first for quality products at a competitive price.  Once you get past that, certification may encourage them to give your company an extra look, especially with corporations that have diversity programs in place.  They ask for it, so it provides access you might not get otherwise.  Also, it validates your company as having certain systems in place.”

In her tenure at Cedar, Linda has witnessed two recessions, but she believes that the challenges she’s overcome have increased her credibility with industry cohorts. Maintaining good rapport also helped during her transition to Cedar Concepts’ President. Linda says, “Employees and existing clients already knew me, when I took over Cedar Concepts, so I was able to keep us moving forward. “Personally as a Black woman, I definitely have had to carve my own path. Chemical manufacturing is truly a male-dominated industry.” 

For those who are looking to enhance their business, Linda points to the WBDC saying, “The Center has been invaluable.   After I bought the business, I still used the Center for support, especially with introductions to other companies. I received so much information I hadn’t been able to get elsewhere.”

Women's Business Development Center THE INSIDER newsletter, Issue 2
February 9, 2011
"SUCCESS STORIES: Words of Inspiration From Fellow WBEs"


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At Cedar Concepts, we consider our business a blessing to be shared within our industry and community. We sit on informational panels and boards, speak on motivational topics, mentor, volunteer and contribute in other ways to various cultural organizations. We host or visit education and training institutes to interest students in science careers and demystify chemistry in particular. We especially support: