Our Two Cents Podcast

Join Kyle Jones as he sits down with Krista and Bryce Horton for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build and run a business. They go behind the scenes of how their businesses started and share the challenges people do not always see, including the risks of undercapitalizing and the reality of learning as you go. Kyle talks about his upcoming business venture, while the Hortons dive into the passion and vision behind the Horton Hotel. They also discuss the importance of support from the Bakersfield community, offer advice for young entrepreneurs, and open up about how running a business demands time and focus while balancing family life and raising kids.

Check out the Hortons:

Instagram: @shopstaykation @hortonhotels @krista.horton @bryce_horton @drinkhorton

Websites:

https://shopstaykation.com/

https://drinkhorton.com/

Amanda Jones welcomes Dr. Justin Hiebert CEO of New Frontier Consulting. New Frontier Consulting, a dynamic agency dedicated to helping small business owners scale their businesses and achieve sustained growth. With a decade of leadership in executive coaching, HR consulting, Lean Six Sigma process improvement, and digital marketing strategy, Justin is passionate about empowering business owners to break through barriers and unlock their full potential. New Frontier Consulting operates on a proven '4M' framework—Mindset, Management, Marketing, and Money—helping clients shift from feeling "stuck" to experiencing measurable success. A relentless advocate for small business success, Justin brings a strategic approach to leadership development, team growth, and operational efficiency. Justin's core philosophy is simple: the best days for your business are ahead.

In today's episode we also discussed the 4 M's framework, working S.M.A.R.T.E.R, and New Frontier Consulting K.I.S.S Review. Dr. Hiebert gives some awesome end of year sprint goals as well as 2026 goals. Our Host Amanda discusses her end of year checklist that she gives out to clients so that the audience can close out 2025 strong!

Learn more about New Frontier Consulting with the links below:

Website

Instagram

In this episode of Our Two Cents, host Kyle Jones sits down with returning guest Dr. Hugh Beatty, otherwise known as "The Wellness Doc," to talk about his book The Five Pillars of Health and the evolution of his concierge medical practice. They explore the importance of hormone balance, gut health, nutrition, sleep, and resistance training, and why Dr. Beatty believes love is the "ceiling" that holds it all together. He also shares candid insights into the flaws of the insurance-driven healthcare system and offers practical advice listeners can use right now to take charge of their health and well-being. Don't miss out on Dr. Beatty's book The Five Pillars of Health, now available as an audiobook — a must-listen for anyone looking to build a stronger foundation for lasting wellness. Dr. Beatty has been practicing medicine in Bakersfield since 1998. He earned his B.A. in Chemistry from Occidental College in 1981 and his M.D. from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in 1985. He completed his internship at Howard University from 1985–1986 and his anesthesiology residency at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center from 1986–1989. Dr. Beatty is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and a diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management. He is a national speaker on pharmacogenetic testing and a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging (A4M), Business Network International (2011–2024), and the Executive Association of Kern County (EAKC). Learn more about Dr. Beatty: website: https://www.hughbeatty.com/ youtube: Limitless Longevity instagram: @docnbak facebook: Dr. Hugh Beatty

Amanda Jones welcomes Lori Malkin and Joe Peters. Lori is the president of JJ's Legacy a nonprofit here in Bakersfield CA that promotes organ donations. As a donor mother, I was truly inspired by the amazing legacy my son Jeffrey "JJ" Johns left after his passing. It became my passion to inspire and educate the community about the importance and need of organ, eye and tissue donation. I started JJ's Legacy in 2010 to honor Jeffrey and other donor families in Kern County. This organization has grown to be so much more than I ever imagined! Today, JJ's Legacy is educating and inspiring our community to become registered organ, eye and tissue donors. We now have a Medical Grant program which provides grants to recipients' families and honors donor families in Kern County.

In today's episode we also discussed the 10th annual Grillin & Brewin event that JJ's legacy is hosting. Join us for the Grillin' and Brewin' fundraising event, a lively evening featuring local BBQ prepared by our award-winning competition BBQ team, the Ridge Route Boys! This year, back by popular demand, Local country music star Joe Peters will be our entertainment.

Sponsorship opportunities, reserved tables, and individual event tickets are available. We would also be honored to have your donations of goods, gift cards, services, and products, and other silent auction items.

The fundraiser supports JJ's legacy, specifically the Got the Dot High School leadership fellowship program. This essential learning platform educates local students about the need and importance of registering to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor. With the goals of investing in our community and nurturing the next generation of educated and inspired students, this project is the perfect way to bring our community together and create positive lasting changes while educating and increasing donor registration!

Learn more about JJ's Legacy:

website

instagram

JJ's Legacy Grillin' and Brewin'

Join Kyle Jones and Kat Clowes of March Consulting as they dive into the often overwhelming and misunderstood world of college admissions. In this candid conversation, Kat shares her personal story of graduating high school early, navigating college transfers, and realizing just how many students — even high-achieving ones — are unprepared for the reality of applying to competitive schools. They talk through the ideal timeline that every college-bound student should follow, including why it's critical to start planning as early as 7th or 8th grade if top-tier schools are the goal. Kat explains how starting early opens more opportunities for scholarships, more strategic course planning, and less stress during senior year. The conversation also covers the surprising affordability of some private and Ivy League schools compared to in-state options, the common pitfalls of the transfer process, and the wide gap between what school counselors can offer and what families actually need. With insider insight into what colleges really look for, beyond just grades and test scores, this episode is packed with actionable advice for parents and students navigating the path to higher education. Listeners can mention this Our Two Cents episode and receive a free 30-minute consultation with March Consulting! Kat Clowes is the CEO and Founder of March Consulting, a college and career firm that helps students with the college application and career search process, and the CEO of Higher Scores Test Prep, providing affordable, online test prep to students. In 2025 alone, her students earned over $10 million dollars in scholarships and were accepted to over 200 schools across the country. She's a Certified Educational Planner and earned an MBA from Mount Saint Mary's University with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship, a BA in communications from Santa Clara University, and a post-graduate certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from University of California, Irvine. She is the co-author of Managing Generation Z, helping employers welcome a new generation into the workforce, which was recently added to the Leadership Library of Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. of the USAF. She is also the author of Put College to Work, a book created to help her students maximize their time in college in a way that will prepare them for a successful career. Her favorite part of her job, however, is watching clients discover that they have something to offer the world and find the means of communicating it. She has been featured in US News and World Report, HerCampus, and other publications. Learn more about March Consulting:

• Website
• Phone number: (661) 747-4514
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

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