WomeninBusiness

2017

Women in Business is a publication of the Kern Valley Sun ©2017 • www.kvsun.com

Harry P. Thal Insurance Agency

Harry Thal, Owner

11006 Kernville Rd • CA lic# 0621106760-376-2100 • 800-496-6213

Harry P. Thal is a health insurance professional who limits his practice to the sales and ser-vice of individual and family health insurance as well as Medicare. He is a nationally recognized expert in Medicare insurance, having been an invited guest speaker throughout California as well as nationally. He is a sought after Medicare continuing education instructor. Harry is a Certified and Licensed expert on the PPACA (ObamaCare) and services health insurance clients through-out California and Medicare clients nationally.

Hyatt Consulting GroupJudy Hyatt, Owner

6416 Lake Isabella Blvd., Suite C-1Lake Isabella, Ca 93240 • 661-378-6628

No matter the size of your business or community organi-zation, the Hyatt Consulting Group can help. We specialize in Public Relations, Community Outreach, Project Management and Government Relations.

We also assist individuals in navigating the halls of govern-ment and its regulations and policies that could affect your quality of life.

The Hyatt Consulting Group will provide excellent public rela-tions and communication skills in a variety of venues including local, state and federal government agencies as well as non-profit and community organizations.

We have a proven track record of creative problem solving using flexibility and a willingness to work in an unstructured envi-ronment with changing priorities.

No matter what your dream for the future may be, we are here to help you achieve your goals.

Give us call!! Let’s create a plan together.

2 Women in Business Kern Valley Sun ©2017

Index of Businesses

Appliance Center - Judy HinkleBetty B’s Justin Tyme - Betty Lett

Cynthia Cowden Investment ServicesDisability Advocates - Diana P. Wade

Farmer’s Insurance - Kellee ScottHealth Insurance & Notary Services -

Sharon Rooney & Janet LubinHyatt Consulting Group - Judy Hyatt

Jamie P. Gelber Attorney at Law

Kern Valley Sun - Marsha SmithKern Village/Burlington - Sheryl Parmelee

Park’s Insurance - MaryAnn ParksRita D’Angelo Real Estate

Southern Sierra Properties - Jeannie VerdugoStewarts Tires - Kameha & Darleen Quiocho

Thal Insurance Agency - Harry ThalTrail’s End Real Estate - Sherry Mc Alister

The Kern Valley Sun’s “Women In Business” yearly publication is in recognition of and also a salute to our valley’s successful women. Each year, more women take charge of their own futures and enter

the business world. We look forward to saluting more women next year and in the years to come.

The entire contents of this publication belong to the Kern Valley Sun ©2017. No portion produced by the Kern Valley Sun may be produced or reprinted whole or in part, by any means, without the written permission of the publisher of the Kern Valley Sun.

Stewarts TireKameha & Darleen Quiocho, Owner

5304 Lake Isabella Blvd.Lake Isabella, CA 93240 • 760-379-5133

KAMEHA & DARLEEN QUIOCHO owners of Stewart’s Tire, a family owned and operated business. Kameha and Darleen Quiocho have been in business since 1997 and are the fastest and most courteous tire professionals this side of the Mississippi. They are Bridgestone certified tire technicians with the shop carrying the largest selection of tires in the Kern Valley. Support your local hometown tire specialist offering the lowest prices in the Kern Valley and beyond... “Powered by Women!”

Sharon Rooney& Janet Lubin

Health Insurance Services and Mobile Notary Public Services

6416-B Lake Isabella Blvd.Lake Isabella • 760-549-9465 760-417-0320

SHARON ROONEY, came to the Kern River Valley in 1986 to be near family and help with the family-owned insurance agency. She soon called the Kern River Valley her hometown. In 2001, her daughter, Janet Lubin, started working in Sharon’s agency and started servicing Notary Public in 2014. Come visit the office for all of your health insurance and notary public needs.

Jamie P. GelberAttorney at Law

5104 Lake Isabella Blvd. Ste CLake Isabella • 760-379-2604

JAMIE P. GELBER graduated from Whittier College School of Law in May 1988 and was admitted to practice by the California Bar in December, 1988. While in Law School, Jamie excelled in legal writing and served as an editor of the Law Review. Her Law Review article was published and was listed in West Law’s notable reading for many years. Prior to attend-ing law school, Jamie worked as both a legal secretary and paralegal, having obtained a two-year paralegal credential in 1982. Jamie has been a practicing attorney since 1988 and has been in the Kern River Valley since 1992. Jamie has been inducted into Who’s Who, as a life member, and was named in Outstanding Young Women in America. She has served as a mock trial coach for Kern Valley High School and contributes her time and energy to many functions and organizations in the Valley. Jamie’s law practice emphasis is on Family Law, including custody, property division and dissolution, Guardianships and Conservatorships, and Probate and Estate Planning, including Trusts and Asset Preservation. Much of her practice is devoted to assisting the elderly. Many other types of legal issues can be taken care of, or if a specialist is needed, Jamie has a network of professionals for referral.

Jamie and her staff, are ready to continue the same courteous, competent, affordable legal services offered by Jamie for the past 25 years to the Valley residents. Jamie has one daughter, Jessica, who is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburg in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She has a stepson, Chip, who resides in Princeton, NJ with his wife, Jill, and their two children.

Editorial TeamNewsusa.com

Women are often the primary health care decision-makers for their fami-lies, but they are far from confident about their ability to pay for health care costs and choose the right insurance plan. According to the Aflac 2016 Open Enroll-ment Survey, more than 1 in 10 women say they live paycheck to paycheck and nearly half have less than $500 saved. The 2016 Aflac WorkForces Report also revealed that only 26 percent of working women feel prepared to pay the out-of-pocket expenses from an unexpected serious illness or accident.

Given women’s state of financial vul-nerability, open enrollment for benefits selection can be challenging, especially due to rising health care expenses and high-deductible health plans that shift

costs from insurers to policyholders. Three-quarters of women say that they find reading about benefits options can be long, complicated or stressful, and 40 percent say their benefits enrollment process makes them feel frustrated, anxious or confused.

To be confident about their benefits selections, 69 percent

of women say they need more information, help, money or time before their next open enrollment period. Doing a little homework before choos-

ing a health insurance plan can give you peace of mind and save

you money, because more than half of women estimate that they have wasted up to $750 because of mistakes they have made during open enrollment.

Here are four tips to make this year’s open enrollment process more success-ful:

1. Carefully review and compare ben-efits information. Many insurance plans

may undergo significant changes every year. Understanding what your plan covers and what out-of-pocket costs you’ll have to pay helps cast a safety net against an unexpected illness or injury.

2. Calculate your annual health care costs by reviewing how much you spent last year on monthly premiums and the expenses your insurance didn’t cover. Those costs can add up if you have a high-deductible health plan.

3. Consider adding voluntary insur-

ance to your plan for more financial protection. Accident, critical illness and hospital insurance plans help pay for what major medical insurance doesn’t, as well as other expenses that continue to roll in if you’re too ill or injured to work.

4. Ask questions of your employer’s human resources staff or insurance con-sultants. They can help you understand your benefits coverage and make the best decisions during open enrollment.

Photo Courtesy baroninsurancegroup.com

Women Face Challenges When It Comes to Health Coverage

“nearly half have less than $500 saved”

Kern Valley Sun ©2017 Women in Business 3

Betty Lett originally from Downey, Ca, was first introduced to the KRV in 1975 from the back of a ‘72 Harley Davidson Chopper by her husband James who is originally from Lawndale, CA. Betty had never ridden on a motorcycle nor heard of the KRV until marrying James. Little did she know, both would steal her heart as quickly as James did!

After a devastating family tragedy, Betty decided that the peaceful town of Kernville was the perfect place to recover, James agreed. They purchased a home and were blessed with wonderful neighbors.

Walking her dogs one day, Betty spotted the property available on Sirretta Street. Instantly a vision was born of an opportunity to provide something the community didn’t have in 2001 - accommodations in the heart of Kernville allowing families to enjoy all of the comforts of home and bring the dog too!

Betty convinced James that serving others is the best way to heal. Betty B’s Justin Tyme Vacation Rentals became a labor of love for Betty, a way to share a little piece of Kernville peace with others.

Betty’s love for people, business and decorating coupled with support and encouragement of old friends and new local acquaintances enabled her to set the cottages up on a shoe string. Betty considers every new season of her business a privilege and an opportunity to meet new people.

Betty is proud to be a member of the KRV Elk’s Lodge #2358 and KRV Women’s Club. These are both groups of amazing people dedicated to fulfilling many year round needs both in the KRV commu-nities and beyond. It is impossible to imagine their community contributions and their beautiful spirits without being a member. Betty B’s Justin Tyme is also proud to be a supporting member of the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Kernville Chamber of Commerce.

www.bettybsjustintyme.rocksliz.lett77@gmail.com

80 & 82 Sirretta St. • Kernville, CA 93238714-814-3720

2 & 3 Bedroom Cottages

Disability RepresentativeDiana P. Wade, Owner

Kern County • 760-417-2390

Ms Wade is an Accredited Disability Representative. She had to pass a stringent examination which tested her knowledge of the Social Security Administration’s rules and regulations concerning their Disability Insurance and Sup-plemental Security Income (SSI) Disability benefit programs, as well as the most recent developments in Social Security Administration and court decisions. Prior to taking the examination she was required to possess specifically delineated professional qualifications (experience and education), pass a criminal background check, and submit proof of current liability insurance.

The ADR designation also requires participation in continuing education about Social Security Administration claim-ant representation, rules, regulations and policies. Affirmation of acceptance of the Code of Ethics and acceptance of NADR’s contacting the SSA OIG should questionable practices arise.

Ms Wade is a charter member of The National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR - www.nadr.org). NADR is a national not-for-profit professional organization that serves both the needs of its members as well as disabled persons in the community by providing ongoing education and communication amongst its members so they can provide the highest quality of disability representation. NADR also provides a referral service where persons with disabilities can be connected with knowledgeable representatives. NADR was founded in St. Louis, MO in March of 2000 by a group of about 30 non-attorney representatives from throughout the United States who felt that such a group could provide superior representation to persons with significant impairments. Members of NADR include retired Social Security employees, Nurses, Lawyers, Paralegals, Vocational Experts, Social Workers, Physical Therapists, Insurance Company Claims people, and other professionals. Looking to the future, NADR is continuing to work directly with the Social Security Administration in the improvement of the disability process for impaired persons as well as to encourage its members to attain the highest standards.

Ms Wade has been providing advocacy services since 1995. She offers Social Security assistance throughout Kern County, Inyo and Mono Counties and prides herself in providing caring assistance for people with significant physical or mental impairments. Fees for her services are regulated and approved by the Social Security Administration.

As a Disability Advocate with more than 20 years’ experience who is qualified to call herself an Accredited Disability Representative, Ms Wade believes her clientele can be comfortable knowing that she has met the standards set by the Social Security Administration and the National Association of Disability Representatives. To contact Ms Wade call 760 417 2390 or email dianapwade@att.net or visit her on the web at http://CaliforniaDisability.net.

Editorial TeamNewsusa.com

When it comes to investing in pre-cious metals, gold usually gets most of the attention. But silver -- and silver mining -- may now be the better bet.

In early 2017, gains on silver were nearly twice those on gold -- and both beat the S&P 500. Despite silver prices fluctuating this year, investment analysts still predict further gains, with silver prices climbing higher in the next few years.

The reason is simple: rising demand at a time of shrinking supply.

The world now uses an increasing amount of silver. Humans have always coveted the shiny metal for coins, jew-elry, and all sorts of utensils and serving dishes. But now, silver has become a vital industrial workhorse. It’s crucial for smartphones, flat-panel TVs, solar panels, cars, and many other uses. In fact, industrial uses now gobble up half

of all the global silver production -- with demand climbing dramatically.

The increased demand alone is push-ing silver prices higher. But prices are also getting a boost from a shortfall in the supply of silver. Because of histor-ical low silver prices, many once-pro-ductive mines have shut down and exploration for new mines has slowed.

Buying silver is one way to cash in on these trends. A more clever approach, however, is to invest in promising silver mining companies. One of those is Viscount Mining Corp (TSXV: VML, OTCQB:VLMGF).

Viscount has shrewdly searched out and acquired properties that show huge potential for silver mining, but that have not been developed. For example, Viscount CEO Jim MacKenzie found a property in Colorado named Silver Cliff that had been assessed in the 1980s as containing more than 50 million ounces of silver.

“It hadn’t been developed as a mine,

because the exploration company was sold and the property had reverted back to the original owners,” says MacKen-zie.

MacKenzie sought out the owners and acquired the property. And Viscount’s own test drilling now shows some of the

highest concentrations of silver ore ever found in North America.

The company is now looking for experienced partners to mine Silver Cliff and other properties, which would mean many years of impressive returns for Viscount’s shareholders.

Photo Courtesy energyandgold.com

Precious Metals Investing 2017: Keep an Eye on Silver

4 Women in Business Kern Valley Sun ©2017

Parks Insurance Agency

Mary Ann, Owner

12512 Mtn. Mesa Rd.Lake Isabella, CA 93240

760-379-4624

MARY ANN PARKS, owner of Parks In-surance Agency, has been in the insurance business for the past 43 years, 33 of which has been here in Mt. Mesa working along-side her husband, Gene. She sells all lines of insurance. Mary Ann and her staff are there to help meet your insurance needs and answer questions you may have.

Kern Valley Sun ©2017 Women in Business 5

Vivian Giangbusinessinsider.com

How different are Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers really?

If being an effective manager is understanding who you’re managing, much of that knowledge comes down to understanding the generation that identi-fies your workers.

A new study published by EY, for-merly Ernst & Young, includes insights from more than 1,200 professionals across generations and industries about the strengths and weaknesses of workers from different generations, based on the perceptions of their peers.

It finds that Millennials are tech-sav-vy, but aren’t great team players. Gen X-ers are entrepreneurial-thinking, but rank low on executive presence. And last, but not least, Boomers are team players and loyal, but don’t adapt so well.

The participants from the study were both managers and non-managers.

“As management shifts to younger generations, the research reveals areas companies can focus on to enhance skill sets, address the challenges of managing multiple generations, and retain and en-gage employees by understanding which workplace perks they may value most,” Karyn Twaronite, a partner of Ernst & Young, says in the study.

Below are the study’s findings on the strengths and weaknesses of Gen Y, Gen X, and Baby Boomers:

Generation Y / Millennials:PROS: Members of Gen Y are be-

lieved to be the most tech-savvy (78% of respondents agree) who know how to use social media to leverage opportuni-ties (70% of respondents agree). These younger workers are also regarded as being the most “enthusiastic” (68% of respondents agree) about their jobs.

CONS: Gen Y-ers scored the lowest on being a “team player” (45%), “hard-

working” (39%) and “a productive part of my organization” (58%).

PERKS: More Gen Y respondents wanted to know when and how they can get a promotion (13%) compared to Gen X-ers (5%) and Boomers (4%).

Generation XPROS: Most of the respondents in

the study (70%) believed that Gen X are the most effective managers compared to managers from the Boomer (25%) or Gen Y (5%) generation. Members of Gen X scored the highest when it comes to being a “revenue generator” (58% of respondents agree), possessing traits of “adaptability” (49% of respondents agree), “problem-solving” (57% of respondents agree) and “collaboration” (53% of respondents agree).

CONS: Gen X-ers scored the lowest compared to other generations when it comes to displaying executive presence (28%) and being cost effective (34%).

PERKS: Gen X respondents ranked workplace flexibility as the most im-

portant perk (21%) and are more likely to walk away from their current job if flexibility isn’t available (38% versus 33% of Gen Y and 25% of Boomers).

Baby BoomersPROS: Baby Boomers ranked the

highest when it comes to being a pro-ductive part of their organizations (69% of respondents agree), “hardworking” (73% of respondents agree), a “team player” (56% of respondents agree), and mentoring others (55%).

CONS: On the other hand, Boomers ranked the lowest when it comes to be-ing adaptable (10%) and collaborative.

PERKS: Not surprisingly, Boomers (28%) identified benefits, such as health care and retirement, as the most import-ant perk compared to Gen X (19%) and Gen Y (147%).

The study found that cash is still con-sidered the most important perk across all generations, with 49% of respon-dents agreeing this is the case.

Strengths And Weaknesses Of Millennials, Gen X, And Boomers

Cynthia Cowden Investment Services

Cynthia Cowden, Owner

6504 Lake Isabella Blvd. • Lake Isabella760-379-2338

CYNTHIA COWDEN is a full service broker and licensed Investment Adviser with a Bachelor’s Degree in finance. She has been in the business for over 29 years, and has done business in Lake Isabella for the last 27. She is a member of the Million-Dollar Round Table and the Gen-erations of Experience Club. Cynthia was honored in the National Directory of Who’s Who for executives. She was also listed in the Top Notable American Woman. She received the Million-aire Award and the Executive Gold Club Award from Advantage Capital Corporation. Allmerica Select awarded her the Outstanding Client Service and she was also awarded the Outstanding Financial Representative Award from John Hancock. She received the top Division Award and Top Elite Professional from NEXT Financial. She is a CSFP - Chartered Senior Financial Planner, and is currently in the top 50 of Investment Professionals with NPB Financial.

SOME OF THE SERVICES WE OFFER ARE:Annuities/Fixed & Variable • Mutual Funds • Stocks & Bonds • IRA’s • 401K’s

Retirement Planning • Estate Planning • Tax Free Funds • Living Trusts • Notaries. Securities offered through NPB Financial Group, LLC

Member FINRA, MSRB & SIPCPlease call us for an appointment or stop by our office to meet with us..

Southern Sierra PropertiesJeannie Verdugo, Owner - Broker

Anna Stenzel, RealtorKern River Valley • 760-376-4485

Welcome to the Southern Sierra Properties! If you are looking at the Kern River Valley for the very first time, the information contained on our website will help you to become familiar with our beautiful mountain valley. We take pride in providing you with the finest Real Estate service in the Kern River Valley.

We handle property all over the entire valley surrounding Lake Isabella including foreclosures, short sales, distressed property, bank owned property - virtually all types of property for sale in the Kern River Valley. If you are looking for a home, a manufactured home on acreage, a cabin in the mountains, or lakeside property for sale, we can help. Lake Isabella is surrounded by miles of some of the most beautiful land in California and on our website not only can you find the right property to buy, but also learn about the area we call the Kern River Valley.

The very best aspect about our local real estate market is that no matter what your taste or budget....there definitely is something here for you!

We are members of the local multiple listing service (MLS) and can help you with any property listed in the valley. You can search the

entire Kern River Valley MLS: including Lake Isabella, Wofford Heights, Kernville, Southlake, Squirrel Valley, Alta Sierra,

Canebreak, Mountain mesa, Havilah, Bodfish, Walker Basin, Riverkern, Weldon, Kelso Valley, Onyx and all the surrounding areas!

Trails End Real Estate

Sherry Mc Alister, Owner-Broker

6425 Lake Isabella Blvd, Lake Isabella, Ca 93240

760-379-2889 • 661-867-2889

Sherry Mc Alister, welcomes all to our newest office in Lake Isabella, making this our 2nd office location! We proudly serve Lake Isabella and all communities of our beautiful valley including Walker Basin and Twin Oaks. We are members of two separate multiple listing (MLS), Lake Isabella and Tehachapi, so we have a very wide coverage area in which to find

your special home or acreage, and now including the beautiful area of Kennedy Meadows! Come by and get acquaint-ed with our agents and get your free home analysis.

Kyle Ceasefacebook.com/KyleCeasePage/

ChangingWhen you are watching TV and you

change the channels from channel 4 to channel 10, you don’t obsess over letting go of channel 4. You just move towards 10.

You don’t need to take years to release 4. You don’t need to tell your friends you are ready to say goodbye to 4. You don’t justify why it’s ok you are still on 4. You don’t blame external circumstances for keeping you on 4. You don’t dwell on the good memory you had watching that one show that you liked on channel 4.

Every second you do something like that would be a second that you are not on the channel that you are supposed to be on.

Change the channel. You aren’t channel 4. You are the remote control.

AddictionsAddictions are things we use to drown

out pain that we feel in our body. The pain we feel in our body is habitual and often comes from the thoughts that we have

and then resist. Resisting a thought keeps the thought there. If you take time to hear and truly accept your thoughts, no matter what they are, they will leave. When they leave, you will feel closer to yourself.

Once all of you feels completely heard internally, you will find you don’t need as much stimulus externally.

Accepting yourself fully is a great way to minimize and sometimes transcend addictions. It’s not something you can do with your mind. Go beyond the mind with meditation, nature, patience, creativity. You can only change from the inside.

Changing the outside to fix a problem is just switching addictions. Discover who you are. You are already there. All of this just comes from not knowing who you are.

Be. Wait. Listen. Allow. Now.Deeper Inner TruthDon’t stop anyone from expressing

how they feel. They might discover a deeper inner truth and self connection under that release.

Don’t spend time around people who aren’t ok with the true you and your feel-ings. When you release your feelings you

will experience a self connection that will change everything.

Repressing your truth is a slow death for you and everyone around you. Be you. Be ok with all of you.

Move towards the people who have the inner capacity to support all of you. Asap. This is where real change happens.

Real WorldThere is an illusion based world where

we stress, worry and live in fear constant-ly. This is often referred to as “The real world”.

I hear people say “Well meditating and self connection are great and all but in the real world we have these issues.” Then we go back into a negative fantasy about all of the ways life could fall apart. We then cater to those fears and convince our-selves that we are incapable addicts who are doing everything we can to survive.

We are running from our addiction to our limitation that we keep creating and we are catering to the minds constant images of worse case scenarios. We then create the very thing we are supposedly trying to avoid.

Here is something actually real right

now that we rarely pay attention to: Your heart is beating. You are breathing. Nature is blooming. You are evolving. Breathe. Pay attention to it. That’s actually happen-ing right now.

We spend 99 percent of our day in a fantasy that we call real and we pay no attention to what is actually real.

If you want to experience serious change...

Spend 20 percent more of today focus-ing on what is real. You can still worry for the other 80 percent if you want. But for today...

Close your eyes for a couple hours and pay attention to the thing beating your heart. You will connect to much more of what you really are. In this place you make yourself receptive to more creative ideas, less addictions and anxiety, better impact and income, better health, etc.

Next time you find yourself worrying, get realistic. You are an infinite being ca-pable of infinite things. End this delusion-al fantasy that you are just here to survive.

Welcome to the real world. You’re incredible.

Changes and Addictions

6 Women in Business Kern Valley Sun ©2017

The Burlington/Kern VillageSheryl Parmelee, Owner

32 Burlando Rd, Knvl 13 Sycamore Dr. W.H

760-376-6733 • 760-376-6474

SHERYL PARMELEE opened Kern Village Assisted Living in Kernville in March of 1997 then on November 1, 2004, she purchased and took possession of the Bur-lington Assisted Living in Wofford Heights. Before Kern Village, she worked for large corporations in geriatric nutrition for skilled nursing facilities, primarily in Bakersfield.

In 2001, Sheryl ran for Whiskey Flat Mayor as Satin Sheryl and won. She says she only agreed to run so people would know what Kern Village was all about. She didn’t expect to win. Sheryl says, “I had a great time running for Mayor and now I know tons of people.”

Sheryl is a member of the Kern River Valley Exchange Club and serves as Vice president of the Kernville Chamber of Commerce.

The two facilities come with a lot of hard work and tons of responsibility, but she loves her work and she gets lots and lots of pleasure from her Seniors.

For over 18 years, she has proudly provided excellent care for your loved ones, with her long time staff and management team. The facilities motto remains “Proud-ly providing seniors with companionship, security and peace of mind.”

Editorial Teamnapsnet.com

While large enterprises may make the most headlines, it’s often the country’s smallest businesses that are providing jobs, fueling innovation and growing the economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 62 percent of all U.S. businesses are microbusinesses, or businesses with fewer than 10 em-ployees. These businesses also account for 75.3 percent of all private-sector employers.

These small but mighty companies often face a unique set of challenges. With fewer employees and resources, owners of microbusinesses often find themselves juggling all aspects of the business, including areas where they may not have expertise or experience in managing, while often competing against larger, more established enter-prises.

To shine a spotlight on these inspira-tional entrepreneurs, Microsoft recently recognized 10 microbusinesses that are making the biggest impact. The full list includes Philip and Melissa Niu, Parachut; Jason and Sarah Kenworthy, Pink Helmet Posse; Noah Elias, Noah Fine Art; Dr. Agnes Scoville, Scoville & Company (Pacidose); August Graube, Fort Boards; Mikaila Ulmer, Me & the Bees; Jessica Matthews, Uncharted Play; Dave Ackerman, Tobacco Mo-torWear; Megan and Marshall Dostal, Further; and Kalika Yap, Citrus Studios.

These companies demonstrate what is possible with an idea and the deter-mination to bring it to fruition. Whether you’re an already-established small business or a future entrepreneur, below are some best practices cultivated from this standout group of microbusinesses:

• Inspiration can be found any-where. From bee stings to childhood hobbies, inspiration for these business

owners came from a wide range of plac-es. Even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person, being open to unexpect-ed ideas and thinking outside the box are keys to discovering a new business, product or service idea.

• Never stop listening and learn-ing. The businesses with the most loyal customers are the ones focused on continuous listening and learning. Whether in person or via software and social media, listening to your audience helps build trust and keeps them coming back. Beyond customer service, big data is another way to access a wealth of knowledge about your audience and business trends. Big data software like Microsoft Azure is also more affordable and easier to use than ever, allowing even the smallest businesses to benefit from enterprise-grade analytics.

• Ask for help. Launching a busi-ness can be intimidating, especially if you have little or no experience in all

the areas necessary for your business to function, such as accounting or HR. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach-ing out to other small businesses in your area, finding a mentor or joining an online community can help you find the answers you need.

• Don’t let anything hold you back. From preschool kids to military veter-ans, the featured microbusiness owners are proof that success can be found at any age and at any stage of life. Time and time again, entrepreneurs shared that the most important thing to do is stop second-guessing yourself and just get started.

• Automate day-to-day tasks. Technology can help you work smarter and more efficiently. Automating your business processes lets you and your employees focus less on the day-to-day tasks so you can focus your time and en-ergy on more important responsibilities.

Big Advice For The Smallest BusinessesKern Valley Sun ©2017 Women in Business 7

The Appliance CenterJudy Hinkle, Owner

760-379-8000 • 2202 Crestview Ave, Lake Isabella

JUDY HINKLE opened the Appliance Center in October of 2003. Along with Kim, they run the store with great people, great products and great prices. With their friendly service they gather together to support our community.

The Appliance Center not only sells major appliances at great prices but repairs appliances and sells parts too!

They are an authorized dealer for G.E., Speed Queen, Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag, Kitchen Aid and Oreck. No interest financing availiable, OAC and layaway. So there is no reason not to stop into the Appliance Center where affordabilty and dependability come together.

Kellee Scott - Farmer’s InsuranceKellee Scott, Owner

13425 Sierra Way, Kernville • 760-376-8703

KELLEE SCOTT has been in the insurance business for over 27 years. She has owned her own business for the past 22 years and has enjoyed every moment of it. Kellee’s parents Norm & Trudy Hylton, met and were married here in the Kern Valley, where Kellee was born, raised and she has spent the past 57 years. Kellee has several hobbies, loves her mules and loves packing her mules up to the high country. She also loves helping people with their insurance needs. Kellee has two wonderful children and two beautiful grandbabies.

Kellee has been active in the Kernville Chamber and other service clubs. She also does volunteer work for the Forest Service in the Sequoia National Forest. Stop by and say hi.

Rita D’Angelo Real EstateRita D’Angelo, Owner Broker

760-549-9579 • 11113 Kernville Rd, Kernville, CA 93238

With a combined 66 years experience, we are celebrating our amazing one year anniversary and we want to thank all our past, present, and future clients for work-ing with us, the top realty company in the Valley. We are a TEAM: Rita, Beth, Tina, Becky, Sherrill & Kelly.

We may deal in Real Estate, but our real business is...people!

Top Selling Real Estate Company In The Kern River Valley

So Far This Year

Kern Valley SunServing the Kern River Valley Since 1959

Sun Plaza • 6416-A Lake Isabella Blvd.Box 3074 • Lake Isabella, CA 93240760-379-3667 • FAX 760-379-4343

The women of the KERN VALLEY SUN are a dynamic team that is committed to the community they serve. From the front counter and the business office, to the editorial, production, and sales departments, this energetic team representing the Valley’s News-paper of Record delivers in both customer & community service.