The final event at the Feb. 24 economic outlook conference was a new one. The 2022 Indian Wells Valley Economic Outlook Conference featured a four-member panel focusing on business entrepreneurship.
Moderated by Dr. Jeremy Wood of Cal State Bakersfield, the panel focused on innovative economic ventures. Although the speakers represented a variety of business interests what they all had in common was an emphasis on ingenuity and vision.
“Thanks for the opportunity. This is particularly important for me because as you know [February] is Black History Month and that’s my heritage,” said Cedric Knight.
Knight recounted his experience in building his company New Directions Technologies, Inc. from the ground up.
“When I first started it was very difficult. People thought I was crazy because I wanted to start a company here in town,” he said.
From its inception as an Internet provider to specializing in cyber security, the business has grown from an idea to a company with over 200 employees in several states. He credited faith and vision for helping to make his dream a reality.
Knight, who is CEO/President of NDTI, pointed out several staff members in the audience at the EOC.
“I want to acknowledge them because they run the company that we started here in town in the mid-90s with just a bunch of ideas,” he said.
Stu Witt, who now runs S.O. Witt and Associates, reminisced about making aerospace history at the helm of the Mojave Air and Space Port.
The journey started with a three-day meeting with Witt’s core team building a “picture” of the future, continued on through finding billionaires to provide funding and went on to jump-start the civilian space industry — eventually leading to “seven winged astronauts created in Mojave,” Witt said.
Speaking humorously, he advised seeking out high-net-worth individuals to provide funding.
“With one billionaire investing in your business, you can probably be successful. With four, I guarantee it,” Witt said, drawing a big laugh from the crowd.
Angela Watson of the Golden State Procurement Technical Advice Center joked that her goal is the opposite of Witt’s – she wants to help people apply for government (rather than private) funding.
“My program is kind of representative of the federal government but it’s really cool to hear the other end of the spectrum too,” she said.
PTACs help people apply to provide services to various branches of the government, in the hopes of diversifying the government supplier base, according to Watson.
“So anybody that wants to sell their goods and services to the federal, state or local government can get education and guidance through a PTAC center, like ours, for no cost,” she said.
“The government buys everything, more than you even realize. So we help guide through various aspects: one-on-one counseling training, helping them build a marketing package. But all of its really about helping them figure out who in the government at whichever level or all levels buys what you sell and how do they buy it.”
For more information see goldenstateptac.com.
John-Paul Lake is known from the Kern Venture Group and Kern Initiative for Talent and Entrepreneurship, also known as KITE.
Lake said the new Cal State Bakersfield center for entrepreneurship and innovation represents a recent win.
He added that he would like to see Ridgecrest offer resources such as accelerator program business courses and/or a women’s co-working center that offered childcare to help local mom’s work on their own businesses.
Lake was optimistic that ideas shared by the panel could inspire many.
“I know there are talented people everywhere in Kern County,” Lake said. “Why do I know that? Because God gave each one of us certain gifts, skills, talents and passion.”
The panel drew another big laugh when Witt noted that he and Knight are good friends and anyone would be fortunate to have “a friend as good as my friend Cedric.”
“I paid him to say that,” Knight said.
This article originally appeared in ridgecrestca.com
The Startup Space mobile app, sponsored by Bank of America, empowers entrepreneurs to succeed by connecting them with the right resources. With multiple filtration options, the app quickly helps you discover relevant resources to build a successful business. Furthermore, you can actively engage with mentors and thought leaders within your community to gain advice and insights as you expand your business. Register now and start building your business with confidence!
