We are proud to introduce our new Community Spotlight Series: GAME CHANGER. This series will feature entrepreneurs, community champions and trailblazers dedicated to making Kern County great.

Joseph Hernandez
Owner | INMOTION

How long have you been in business?

I’ve been in business since 2004.

How/Why did you start your business/career? 

When I was in my twenties I had my first opportunity to film a wedding. I was excited about this opportunity. I felt so prepared but on the day that I showed up it turned out I had mixed up the days and showed up on the wrong date. The wedding was the next day which was the worst news for me since I had to be on a plane the very next morning so there was no way I could film that wedding myself. I ended up asking my brother to take my place and he came through.  Ultimately the bride was content about what I ended up creating with the material my brother captured but I could tell she wasn’t fully satisfied and that’s when the spark happened for me. From that day on I was determined to improve every part of the clients journey with me.

Why did you choose to become a member of KCHCC?

As a small business owner, you have to be willing to try new things—and that’s exactly why I joined KCHCC. I wanted to see what it was all about and explore how it might benefit my business. I’m glad I did. It’s opened up new connections, opportunities, and a real sense of community that’s been both encouraging and valuable.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs starting their careers in Kern County?

Start by showing up. There’s a strong sense of community here in Kern County, and people genuinely want to support local businesses but you have to put yourself out there. Go to networking events, build relationships, and be consistent with your work. Don’t wait for all the lights to turn green before you begin. Start with what you have, stay open to learning, and lean into the people and resources around you. Opportunities tend to come to those who stay visible and engaged.

We are proud to introduce our new Community Spotlight Series: GAME CHANGER. This series will feature entrepreneurs, community champions and trailblazers dedicated to making Kern County great. 

NaTesha “T” Johnson
Executive Director, Entrepreneurship & Workforce Development
Bakersfield College Launchpad

How long have you been in business/in position?

Three years in position and over 25 years in industry

How/Why did you start your business/career?

I didn’t plan on going into workforce development and entrepreneurship—it kind of just happened. My background is in public administration, so I’ve always known I wanted to work with and for the community. But I fell in love with entrepreneurship when I started noticing businesses that should have been thriving struggle or fail. I couldn’t help but ask: Why? What’s missing? Where are the gaps? That curiosity sparked something in me. I dove into understanding entrepreneurial support—what truly helps a business grow and succeed. I realized that with the right guidance and resources, business owners don’t have to become just another statistic. Seeing someone’s dream come to life and watching their capacity grow—it’s powerful. It’s meaningful. And for me, it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey every single day.

What advice, and from who, did you receive regarding business and your career that you still reflect upon today?

The best advice I’ve ever received—whether in life, business, or my career—came from my mother, and it still guides me to this day: You only need one yes.

You may face a thousand no’s along the way, but that one yes can open doors wide enough to outweigh them all. I’ve come to understand that a “no” isn’t always a rejection—it can be a redirection, or even a form of protection. So I’ve learned to accept the no’s as “not right now,” and to keep pushing forward. Because when that yes finally comes? That’s when everything changes. And when it does, I’m ready to take on the world.

How has being involved with KCHCC helped shape your business/business goals?

The Launchpad has maintained a longstanding partnership with the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and together, we’ve built a force that’s truly impactful. This collaboration has not only shaped how we approach business but has also influenced how we serve our community as a whole.

Through our involvement with the Chamber, we’ve been able to look beyond Bakersfield and into our rural communities—identifying their unique needs, supporting their goals, and helping local businesses build real capacity.

As a result of this powerful partnership, we’re proud to announce that beginning this fall, we will offer a Money Matters workshop at our Arvin campus, held monthly and designed specifically for Spanish-speaking business owners. This is just one example of how collaboration leads to meaningful, community-driven impact.We’re especially proud to participate in the Chamber’s business entrepreneurship courses, where we present the technical assistance resources offered through Bakersfield College. This collaboration has become what we like to call our “tag team relationship”—we support one another, we build together, and we grow stronger together. I’m especially grateful to President and CEO Jay Tamsi for his unwavering support and partnership with the Bakersfield College Launchpad.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs starting their businesses/careers in Kern County?

My advice to any entrepreneur starting a business or career in Kern County is this: take advantage of every opportunity and resource available to you—not just those tied to grants or funding. Too often, I see people overlook valuable programs simply because they’re not offering immediate financial support. But some of the most impactful growth comes from business development, mentorship, and professional training. These experiences build your foundation, sharpen your skills, and prepare you for long-term success. So my biggest piece of advice? Absorb everything. Take in all the knowledge and technical assistance you can, no matter where it comes from. It may not seem essential now, but you’ll be grateful for it when it’s time to take your business to the next level.

We are proud to introduce our new Community Spotlight Series: GAME CHANGER. This series will feature entrepreneurs, community champions and trailblazers dedicated to making Kern County great. 

Romeo Agbalog
Senior Advisor to the Chancellor | Kern Community College District

How long have you been in business/in position? 

My career in public service has spanned 26 years, 20 of which as an elected official, and includes local and state government, education, and nonprofit  leadership experience. 

How/Why did you start your business/career? 

My career began by a combination of both accident and necessity. See, I became a father at a very young age. Just out of high school and in desperate need of a job, I learned that a local logistics company  was hiring students for the summer.  Eager to go to work, I applied, but discovered that I wasn’t qualified due to no longer being a student.  Fatefully, the hiring manager saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and held a spot open for me, so long as I enrolled back in school. This marked the beginning of my relationship with Bakersfield College, rural education, and the Kern Community College District.  I enrolled at BC the same day and got the job, but I was nearly two weeks into the semester and the only course section that was still open was Political Science. This class would later lead to volunteer opportunities, internships, and later jobs in public service, opening doors that otherwise would not have been available to a young, single parent from a rural community.

What advice, and from whom, did you receive regarding business and your career that you still reflect upon today? 

Some of my favorite quotes are as follows: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up,” Thomas Edison. “Never mistake activity for achievement,” John Wooden. “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt,” Abraham Lincoln.

How has being involved with KCHCC helped shape your business/business goals? 

It’s exciting to be part of an organization that is always looking for new and innovative ways to engage and educate its members and the community. There’s never enough hours in the day to do the things we always want to do, so it’s inspiring to be involved with organizations that you know are actively working to make a difference. It’s time well invested.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs starting their businesses/careers in Kern County?

Some of my other words of advice either gained by experience or shared to me by friends and mentors are: 1) Tread lightly, you never know when the toes you step on today may be connected to the rear-end you may have to kiss tomorrow. 2) Everyone is blessed with tools in their toolbox. Never misuse your tools, it’s easy to damage and destroy, it’s always harder to build. Rather use your tools to build God’s kingdom. 3) Fear is the absence of faith. 4) Never promise what you can’t deliver and always deliver more than you promised. 5) In all that you do, go out to spread the gospel, and when necessary use words. 6) Leadership is about building people up, not tearing them down. It’s about helping others achieve more than they ever could on their own.

We are proud to introduce our new Community Spotlight Series: GAME CHANGER. This series will feature entrepreneurs, community champions and trailblazers dedicated to making Kern County great. 

Nikka Cabello
Brokerage Specialist
Cushman & Wakefield

How long have you been in business/in position?

I’ve been with Cushman & Wakefield for 10.5 years. In addition to my career, I’ve been the KCHCC Diplomat Co-Chair for 5 years, Volunteer Chair for the Latino Food Festival Menudo and Pozole Cook-Off and Dia de los Muertos for 2 years, and have been on the Philippine Weekend, Inc. committee for 20+ years.

How/Why did you start your business/career?

I started my career by chance—I didn’t plan to go into the commercial real estate field, but once I got my foot in the door, I quickly realized how much I enjoy it. I love the fast-paced nature of the industry and being able to support my team of industrial brokers by crafting marketing materials, helping them meet deadlines, and ultimately reach their revenue goals.

What advice, and from who, did you receive regarding business and your career that you still reflect upon today?

One piece of personal advice from a mentor and close friend that’s always stuck with me was to not let people’s comments or opinions get to me, to develop thick skin. That mindset reminds me not to take things personally, even when challenges come up, and that you simply can’t make everyone happy, and that’s okay.

Why did you choose to become a member of KCHCC?

I became a member because I wanted to be a part of an organization that actively supports local businesses, especially those in underserved communities. They offer a welcoming environment where professionals and individuals from all backgrounds can connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Their mission aligns with my values and I knew that being involved would give me access to resources and a network of professionals and individuals all working toward common goals.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs starting their businesses/careers in Kern County?

Don’t be afraid to start small, but think big. Be consistent, stay teachable, and surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Kern County has a strong network of support—you just have to tap into it. Utilize local organizations like KCHCC, show up to community events, and never stop learning.