Our Two Cents Podcast

Amanda Jones welcomes Jackie Andrade and Elizabeth Maldonado, Vice Chairman and Chairman of KC SHRM’s 2024 Symposium. Jackie Andrade, is an experienced and motivated human resources practitioner with sixteen years’ experience. Jackie Introduces the non-organization: The Kern County Chapter Society for Human Resource Management otherwise known as KC SHRM as an organization of human resource professionals whose primary goal is to foster an educational environment that is facilitated by the exchange of information and ideas. The organization provides an extensive amount of resources and tools for all members from all different business backgrounds from small business owners to corporate companies with or without their membership. 

Elizabeth Maldonado is an alumnus of the CSUB’s School of Business. She joined AppleOne Employment Services in 2012 and specializes in Staffing and HR Consulting services. Elizabeth introduces KC SHRM’s Annual Symposium, their largest event being held on October 2nd 2024. The Symposium’s mission is to Inspire, energate, elevate and connect with like minded professionals to better educate each other. The event attracts about 400 HR and Business professionals from generalists level through the executive suite. They have a great line-up of speakers forming as well as 46+ vendors for the 2024 sessions to ensure we address the issues and challenges faced by today's HR professionals. Whether you’d like to be a sponsor, vendor or attend the event all information will be linked down below.

Learn more about KC SHRM and the annual Symposium with the links below:

KC SHRM Website

KC SHRM Instagram

KC SHRM Symposium details

KC SHRM Youtube 

KC SHRM Linkedin

Amanda DiGacomo welcomes Norma Dunn, Program Director of the Kern Women’s Business Center. Norma's passion for education and business, combined with her engaging personality, has earned her a reputation as a high-impact networker. She is a sought-after community leader as is accomplished at planning and executing strategies that are both effective and efficient. Norma Introduces what the Women’s Business center provides and its dedication to enhancing opportunities for potential entrepreneurs and small business owners to become self-sustaining, successful contributors to their communities, with special assistance for women, low-income, minority, veterans, and non-profit businesses . The business center was established in 2019 and has had its physical location as of 2021. The business center provides a variety of resources for entrepreneurs to gain the knowledge they need to start and run a successful business. They offer business start up classes, monthly workshops, and free business consulting. The Kern County’s Women’s Business Center received the 2024 Women's Business Center of the Year Award out of 15 Counties, acknowledging their hard work and dedication towards the community.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER WITH THE LINKS BELOW:

Phone: 661-567-0410

Address: 10800 Stockdale Hwy Suite 201-224 Bakersfield CA, 93311

Women's Center Website: www.mcscorp.org/kern

Instagram: kernwbc

Facebook: Kern_Womens_Business_Center

Kyle Jones and Amanda DiGacomo welcome Jasmine Mazariegos, Senior Broker at Virtuity Financial Partners and the newest tenant in the Mill Rock Way office. Jasmine Introduces the company she works with, Virtuity Financial and discusses the aspects behind financial literacy. Jasmine tells us how she attended CSUB with a major in kinesiology but later realized through experience that a career working 9-5 for someone else wasn’t going to get her to her financial goals, she was mentored and trained in Financial literacy and now provides the same information if not more to her clients. She discusses the change in perspective from working an average 9-5 job to dedicating herself to being an entrepreneur and teaching others that they can do the same. Jasmine provides her clients with financial advice that ranges from educating them about life insurance and advising them to protect assets in Trusts and Wills to teaching them about a wide range of investment strategies. She also discusses growing up not having the resources and education about financial literacy and is now passionate about teaching clients the importance of financial literacy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JASMINE AND REACH OUT WITH THE LINKS BELOW:

Website: https://virtuity.com/

Jasmine's IG: Jasmine_finance

Amanda DiGiacomo welcomes Jackie Koster, Founder and CEO of Key Staffing Inc and LLS Visionary of the year. Key Staffing is a company founded in 2019 by Mrs.Koster and it is now a leading recruitment firm serving all industries including, industrial, administrative, accounting, and medical. Jackie tells us the story of how Key Staffing came to be from simply her entrepreneuring spirit and determination to succeed. Amanda and Jackie also discuss the impact that generational cultures bring to the workforce and the difference on how to motivate for success. In starting a business there are always ups and downs, losses and wins, when Jackie started Key Staffing in 2019 the pandemic was an unforeseen obstacle but with great tenacity, Jackie and her team were able to provide the community with job opportunities for both candidates and clients. In 2023 Jackie discusses the loss in reduction of not only her company’s staff but the drastic reduction of revenue her company was receiving, but with consistent efforts and an amazing staff the company has been able to grow from what they lost. Key Staffing is a company committed to helping candidates find the right opportunity for their lifestyle.

Their mission is to create a long-term partnership with clients by connecting their workforce with companies and businesses. Key Staffing has collaborated with Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS) to host a casino night in which all proceeds from the event will go towards funding research and supporting patients battling blood cancer. For more information on Key Staffing and the LLS casino night check out the links below. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT KEY STAFFING: 

LLS Casino Night Tickets

LLS Donation Page

LinkedIn: Jackie_Koster

Instagram: Jackie_Koster

Website: www.hirekeystaff.com/

Kyle Jones welcomes Scott Garrison, Founder and CEO of Planned Exits, a new company that provides business owners with strategies on how to maximize their business’s value upon exit. Scott tells us the story of how Planned Exits came to be and his inspiration behind the company. The company is committed to helping business owners, and entrepreneurs plan for successful exits with the most favorable terms that help them achieve their personal and professional goals.

Exit planning is a critical process that holds immense significance for businesses, and It allows them to strategically navigate the complexities of transitioning out of their ventures. Whether they are selling the business, passing it on to family members, or exploring other exit options. Exit planning addresses legal and tax considerations, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition through meticulous analysis, financial planning, and the development of a tailored strategy. For more information on Planned Exits check out the links below.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANNED EXITS: 

Website: www.plannedexits.com/

LinkedIn: Planned_Exits

Amanda DiGiacomo welcomes Cepi and Lu, the executive board of Power Hub Bakersfield, a new local non-profit that helps businesses and C suite employees grow. Cepi the president tells us the story of how Power Hub Bakersfield came to be. Their inspiration behind bringing PHB to the community was that they wanted to provide business owners and C Suite professionals with the proper tools to power up their growth through networking, goal setting, financing, and accountability. This nonprofit is different from others as they provide networking, programs lead by experts, and an accountability coach. The board would like to invite any of you to their latest program sponsored by Lino’s venue on February 8th 2024. More information for their upcoming programs is on their Instagram linked down below.

LEARN MORE ABOUT POWER HUB BAKERSFIELD:

Website: https://powerhubbakersfield.org/

Instagram: powerhub_bakersfield

Kyle Jones welcomes Sarah Kuhlmann and Tarin Meadows, Co-owners of F45 Training Seven Oaks and Fit-Pantry. Sarah and Tarin tell us the story of F45 training. Their inspiration behind bringing F45 training to the community was that they wanted to provide a fun place that produces high-intensity workouts to get the heart pumping. F45 Training’s mission is to help its members conquer everyday movements and unlock their inner athlete. At F45 Training, their workouts are created by certified personal trainers to bring together all muscle groups in the body, helping them achieve exceptional strength, energy, and flexibility that leave their members feeling their best. More information on F45 Training Seven Oaks is down below. 

Sarah and Tarin established their own business known as Fit Pantry. Their mission behind their restaurant is to connect people to healthy real food with ease. They opened Fit Pantry in October of 2016 and have made it their mission ever since to serve others with well-balanced nutritious meals. You can find their locations and more information on their website below.

LEARN MORE ABOUT F45 TRAINING AND FIT PANTRY:

Websites: https://f45training.com/studio/sevenoaksca/

https://www.fitpantry.com/

Phone number: F45 Training: (661) 310-3305

Phone number: Fit Pantry: (661) 679-7684

Facebook: F45_Training_SevenOaks

Fit_Pantry

Instagram: f45_training_sevenoaks

fitpantrybakersfield

Amanda DiGiacomo welcomes Debbie Powers, executive director of Golden Empire Gleaners. Debbie tells us the story of how the local non-profit was founded and how much they have grown since then. Debbie goes over what the non-profit does for the community and how it has an impact on many lives. She discusses the process in which the non-profit receives its donations and how they create and distribute the baskets. Donations are a big part of the non-profits mission, volunteering is the other important part, Debbie discusses how the volunteers are what allows the program to run smoothly and how because of volunteers they are able to reach more people around the community. Club 85 is a monthly monetary subscription in which your donation is used to create a case of goods that is then donated to a family in need every month. We encourage you today to check out this local non-profit and be a part of the team, whether it be through volunteer work or food/monetary donation. 

Golden Empire Gleaners mission is to help alleviate hunger and provide food for those in need in the Kern County community. They accomplish this by collecting and distributing food and agricultural products that might otherwise go to waste. Through the help of their referring agencies, they are able to distribute food to needy children, senior citizens, families in crisis, people who are ill, disabled, homeless or unemployed.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOLDEN EMPIRE GLEANERS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE AN IMPACT: 

Website: www.goldenempiregleaners.com/

Phone Number: 661-324-2767

Facebook: GoldenEmpireGleaners

Instagram: GoldenEmpireGleaners

We are welcomed today with a special recording from our Host Amanda DiGiacomo as she tells us the story on how she came about founding Atlas Financial Solutions. Amanda goes over a year-end business checklist for small business owners and how to close out their books. She goes over minimum wage increases and sick leave changes for 2024. Atlas Financial Solutions offers a variety of services that cater to small businesses, they are passionate about giving back to their community. Small business owners face many burdens, teaming up with AFS allows you to outsource those burdens.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ATLAS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS:

Website: https://atlasfinancialsolutions.net/

Phone Number: 661-241-3719

Facebook: Atlas_Financial_Solutions

LinkedIn: AtlasFinancialSolutions

Instagram: atlasfinancialsolutionsca

Kyle Jones welcomes Richard Chapman, President and CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation. Richard educates us on what the Kern EDC corporation does and gives us an in-depth on the process of how they study and strategize the market overview of Kern County. He also gives us insight into what's going on in East Kern, he discusses how they started the East Kern Economic Alliance (EKEA) and goes over how they reach out to locals and corporations in the area to cultivate relationships and help sustainably grow their businesses.

Kern Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to cultivate and promote Kern County’s boundless opportunities for business. The Corporation (Kern EDC) is a public-private partnership that brings together private businesses, education, elected officials, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of a single goal: creating a strong and diverse economy for Kern County. Kern EDC promotes the region to businesses looking for areas to expand and works with existing local businesses to ensure they have what they need to thrive and grow here in Kern County.

LEARN MORE ABOUT KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: 

-Website: www.kernedc.com

-Phone Number: 661-862-5150

-Facebook: Kern_Economic_Development_Corporation

-LinkedIn: Kern_Economic_Development_Corporation

-Instagram: KernEconomic

Check out their market overview right here