Purple Cat, a Chester, Maryland-based woman-owned public relations agency, recently received minority business certification (MBE) from the state of Maryland. The MBE certification process carefully examines a company’s operations, management and finances, as well as technical expertise and experience.

“The MBE credential essentially gives Purple Cat a formal affirmation to its expertise, strength and credibility”, says Carol D’Agostino, founder and president of Purple Cat. “Current clients know our proven track-record and strong business operations, but the MBE can open doors to a new client base looking for a reputable firm to help grow their business or agency,” she adds.

Maryland is one of 16 states in the nation that use an MBE program as an economic development and business support tool for the minority business community thereby helping MBE businesses better compete for contracts in both the private and public sectors.

Founded in 2005, Purple Cat is an integrated public relations and marketing firm providing services to local, regional and international clients. Services include: advertising; publicity; social media and email marketing; event planning and promotion; branding; and printing.

Purple Cat’s founder and president Carol D’Agostino is a member of the Class of 2012 of Shore Leadership and is a board member at Foundation for Community Partnerships, Centreville. Her memberships include the Chesapeake Women’s Network of Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties, the Maryland Association of Nonprofits and the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call (410) 604-2319 or purplecatpr.com or visit www.facebook.com/PurplecatPR for social media and public relations and marketing information.