One of Taft's best assets is its people.

We are blessed with talented people who are driven to make the Westside a great place to live, to raise a family, run a business or be involved in public service.

This week, the Independent introduces you to a few of these people who have make their mark in the community by being involved, by giving more of themselves than most of us, and helping Taft to become a better place to live, work, learn and raise a family.

Stephanie House grew up in Derby Acres, attended Midway School and graduated from Taft Union High School. When she was 16, she got her first job as a softball scorekeeper for West Side Recreation & Park District. After graduating from TUHS, she moved on to Taft College. Stephanie thought she was going to major in business, but after taking an accounting class her first semester, she discovered that was not for her! She was kind of lost on what kind of career she might want, but then realized that she really liked her part-time job with the Rec District and that she should think about a career in recreation. So after Taft College, Stephanie moved to attend CSU Chico, where she graduated with a degree in Recreation Administration. She didn't think she would necessarily move back to Taft, but was offered an internship with the Recreation District here in Taft, so she accepted. That was in the fall of 1995 - Stephanie has been with the District since. Counting her part-time years, Stephanie has worked for WSRPD for 17 years! Stephanie has been married to Josh since 2003 and they live here in Taft with their 4-legged kids Wilson, Boyd, Abbie and Cleo.

Why do you choose to do business in Taft? do you see a future for your business? Are you optimistic about the future?
"Working for a Special District isn't like a business, but in a way it can be seen that way since we are serving the public. WSRPD has gone through ups and downs, but thanks to a great staff, board and community volunteers, we continue to serve our community the best we can. I am optimistic that we will continue to thrive - recreation never goes out of style and people need recreation! We are a huge contributor to the quality of life on the westside."

What do you like about Taft and why do you choose to do business here?
"I love the small town atmosphere of Taft. I like that we are able to form bonds with our community members and the people who participate in our programs. It's a great feeling to know that you have a part in creating fun and memories for kids and families. I love knowing that I have contributed to the community in a positive, meaningful way. The smiles and hugs I get from kids just reinforces the love I have for my job and for our community."

What advice would you give to people who want to open a business in Taft or live in Taft?
"We all need to support one another! I know we've all heard "Shop Taft" and "Support Taft" - but how many of us do that as much as we can? All situations are different, but in order for our community to thrive, we need to help each other out. From what I have noticed, most successes here don't happen overnight - dedication is key. If it doesn't work the first time, try again! And think outside the box - being creative might be just what we need from time to time."

What suggestions do you have that would make Taft a better place to live and work and that would help your business to grow?
"Don't hold a double-standard... I don't know how many times I've heard someone complain about having to wait 5 minutes for a table at a local restaurant, but that same complainer would wait an hour or longer for a table for a restaurant in a bigger city. Appreciate what we have here and help our community grow! Frequent your local shops, restaurants, support local organizations and get involved with the Recreation District. We have some of the best activities."

Wendy Soto, owner of Next Step Cardio and Fitness Club is a Bakersfield native who has worked on the Westside as a Case Manager at the Federal Prison for 7 years in. Wendy received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and also has her Masters of Science in Wendy studied and trained in cardio kickboxing for 10 years and taught cardio kickboxing for 5 years at a martial arts facility in Bakersfield. Wendy has always had a passion for fitness and cardio kickboxing and got the idea to open her own facility after watching a Bravo TV series about two women who opened their own gym. She had spent so much time over in Taft and saw the need for what she wanted to do and opened Next Step Cardio and Fitness Club in 2008. The facility started out small, but has now grown and they keep adding new classes and equipment to cater to every type of person at every fitness level. "It's more than just getting people to exercise, it's getting them interested and involved in new classes and programs," said Wendy.

Why do you choose to do business in Taft?
"I worked out at the prison for 7 years and I had became familiar with the Taft area and thought it would be a good area to open a gym. I had heard feedback from my co-workers and friends in town about what they wanted in a gym, what type of facilities Taft had already, and what would keep them in Taft instead of joining a gym in Bakersfield. I see growth in our business each week, with people inquiring about the gym and just wanting to see what we have going on, parents getting their kids involved with fitness, people trying new classes, and people requesting and suggesting new classes. I see the attitude change in our customers and it makes me happy and accomplished to see that they believe in themselves and to offer the services that they need to them."

What do you like about Taft and why do you choose to do business here?
"The people! The people in this community are so helpful and they want you to succeed here. The community has been so willing to try our facility and they are so willing to help our business. I feel people here take things more personally and they appreciate what they have and what is here in Taft."

What advice would you give to people who want to open a business in Taft or live in Taft?
"Do your research; educate yourself on the area and on ways to market your business to the area. Not every approach works for the same types of businesses here. It is important to start a business from a business perspective and see it from a businesses perspective first. I've also found that surrounding yourself with helpful and motivating people inspire you to succeed more."

What suggestions do you have to make Taft a better place to live and work and to help your business grow?
"I'd like to see Center Street modernized and become more vivid. It is the downtown of Taft and this community and it needs to stand out and attract new members of the community as well as the ones that have called Taft home forever and attract new businesses and new business owners so the entire downtown area can grow."

Brandon Farkas and Allen Jones, co owners of G.S. Graphix and Hobbies are both Taft natives. Allen worked in the oilfields for over 10 years and found an interest in hobbies when he was 18 and started buying his own cars and racing. "The hobbies became a hobby in general," said Allen. Allen met Brandon when Brandon was 17 years old as they both shared an interest in hobbies. As the years went on their interest level grew in hobbies and building and customizing them they bought a sticker machine to start experimenting with making their own decals and graphics for themselves and as other say what they were able to do they saw more people asking them to make decals and stickers for them.

Why do you choose to do business in Taft? Do you see a future for you and your business in Taft?
"We decided to open a store front a few months back because we just started getting so busy with stickers, decals, and banners. It was the perfect time to open a store front, we both live here, and there is also such a big following in the hobbies that we needed a store front to house parts and a location for people to come and learn about them and get everything they need here in Taft. We see our business continue to grow as more people hear about us, Taft is a word of mouth place, we see new customers and people just coming in to see what we are all about."

What do you like about Taft and why do you choose to do business here?
"We have gotten the best response and support from this community. The Chamber of Commerce, The City of Taft, and The Taft Independent have all shown their interest and support in our business and we want to be able to give back to the community that has been so giving to us. We work hard, and haven't had anything handed to us so it's nice to see people want to help you and see you succeed.
What advice would you give to people who want to open a business in Taft or live in Taft?
"Patience and Persistence! You need to stick with it and not get discouraged, and people need to remember that Taft is a small town and that you need to start out small with your business and build it from the ground up and realize that it's going to take awhile and not happen overnight."

What suggestions do you have to make Taft a better place to live and to work? What would you like to see from Taft to help your business grow?
'We have just been received and supported so well from the community that we hope that the community gives every business the same chance that they have given us. The community needs to support all of the local businesses and give everyone and every business a chance before they decide they want to take their money elsewhere. As we support more of our local businesses outside cities will see the influx in growth and see Taft as a whole doing better and they will see the need to bring their business to Taft, and when one business does well, we all do well."

Amanda Posey, 37, has brought the Taft High band back to life. Since she began instructing three years ago the band's capacity has gone up from 28 students to over 50 participants. Although she has only been teaching for a few years, she and her husband of 18 years, Vic, have been involved with the band and drumline for more than a decade.
While directing the band is her career, music in general is her passion and life blood. Outside of the band room, Posey performs as a percussionist with the Bakersfield Symphony, teaches music to disabled students, and works with Awana at the First Baptist Church when she isn't riding dirt bikes with Vic and her sons, Ricky and Dennis.

Why do you like Taft?
"I was born outside of Chicago and I remember how big the city was. It is great but too big. I like Taft because it is the right size. It is small enough to know your child's teacher and still big enough to meet new people."

Why do you choose to work in Taft?
"I met Vic in band at Bakersfield College. We married, graduated and moved back to live and work in his hometown. If Vic was raised in Taft, and he turned out so cool, then I wanted to raise my kids there."

Are you optimistic about the future of Taft?
"I am. I work everyday to teach students to work hard and solve problems without complaining. I invest in people and I think they are a great investment."

What suggestions do you have to make Taft a better place to live?
"My advice is simple: Love what loves you back. Drugs want to kill you, they don't love you. Why do you love them? Drinking and smoking makes you smell bad and want to make you sick, they don't love you. Why do you love them? The TV is made of plastic and glass, it doesn't love you. Why do you love it? Try people. They need love and just might love you back."
Amanda Posey feels positive about the future of Taft, especially for the students she teaches and she hopes to make band a hip class again. "My goal with the band is to bring back the things that make band cool," she explained. "Great music and shows, band camp, and cool uniforms make band fun. Music is intelligent, fun and sexy. That is what I want band to be."

Josh Bryant, 26, is one of the promising and talented people that Taft will have the privilege to watch thrive in the coming years. In the last five years he has taken part in several organizations around town including the Westside Little League Board of Directors where he served as president for the 2008-2009 season, the Westside Junior Football League in which he is the Head Coach of one team, and he is one of the youngest members on the Oildorado General Board of Directors all while balancing a family and a job as Finance Manager at the Taft Correctional Institute. In the future, Bryant hopes to possibly open a business and in the very near future, he hopes to run for City Council.

Why do you like Taft?
"Taft has so much to offer," be it from a parenting and quality of life standpoint or that of an entrepreneur or business owner. Everyone has their own opinions and they change as you grow older, as they have for me, but I wouldn"t trade the idiosyncrasies of a small town for anything. The relationships you can make with friends, business people, educators, and most everyone in general is invaluable. In turn, it gives each individual a chance -- if they take advantage of it -- to make a difference or influence their community in a manner they feel is positive."

Why do you choose to work in Taft?
"I choose to live here, work here, and do business here because those are the ways I feel most able to make a difference in this community. How better to influence change than by being a part of that change? Or even better, by being the one leading the way?"

Are you optimistic about the future of Taft?
"I'm optimistic about the future because Taft has the ability to balance both the quaintness of it's historical past and the innovations the present and future has to offer. In finding that balance and encouraging residents and business people alike to embrace it, the possibilities and allure to both those groups of people are numerous."Finally, I think Taft embodies 'Hometown America'." As a country, we have generally persevered for more than 200 years through thick and thin, good and bad -- I truly believe Taft embodies both that work ethic and propensity to dream that has been the backbone of that success."

What suggestions do you have to make Taft a better place to live?
"If you don't like something, get involved. Don't just complain about it and hope it fixes itself. The old saying is absolutely true, 'The squeaky wheel gets the grease!'"
As for advice to those out there who want to live or open a business in Taft, Bryant has this to say, "This community can be whatever you let it become. It will become what those who are involved want it to become, no question about it. Don't let the opportunity to make a difference pass you by. If someone wanted to open a business here, I'd tell them to first assess the needs and desires of the community -- what good would it be to open a hamburger joint in the middle of a Vegan metropolis, right?!"


Jessica Wallis, 24, is the bright, smiling face and brains behind a handful of operations around town. Born and raised in Bakersfield and educated in Portland, OR and San Luis Obispo, she brings to Taft fresh and creative ideas for the future. In the past two years she has been working for The Independent, she has created an outlet for the small businesses of the community to reach out and voice their concerns, enabling her to find ways to help them grow and relay information to the city.
Working at the Independent has also given her the opportunity to volunteer and work on various Chamber of Commerce committees, work that has not gone unnoticed as she continues to spearhead more projects, especially events geared towards the younger generations of Taft. "It's important to get involved with the community," she said. "If you want to see changes you need to have your voice heard. Otherwise, you won't be a part of the solution."

Why do you like Taft?
"I love the small town atmosphere that Taft has, the close, tight-knit feeling of the community and the drive that people in the community have to make changes for positive growth."

Why do you choose to work in Taft?
"I choose to continue to work in Taft because I see the growth and future of Taft. My job has given me the opportunity to meet and connect with new and different people and make friends. We all have the same interest, we believe in Taft and we want to make a difference. I see growth in what I do as an alternative to what people are used to. As a part of a younger generation in Taft, I see how we need to reach out to this demographic and how to keep them interested."

Are you optimistic about the future of Taft?
"I think Taft is on the right track, new ideas have been developed, we see the need for growth and everyone here wants more for their town. Now we need to come together as a community to promote and support the new ideas. We need to challenge the leaders of our community to our benefit and voice our ideas and opinions because that's the only way we will see progress and change. The young people of Taft see the need for growth and change and have ideas. We need to start listening and accepting the younger generation because they are the ones that are going to keep Taft moving in the future and if we all work together we will see all of our ideas come together."

What suggestions do you have to make Taft a better place to live? "I think that anyone planning on opening a business here should do their research, learn who their target demographic is and start small, reach out to all the organizations that want to help and support small businesses, like the Chamber, the city, and the local newspapers and media do. I recommend living in Taft, I love the small town, and I always feel safe. I like being close to the ones I love. If I ever needed anything there are so many people here who truly care about you and want to help you. It's convenient here and you can get everything you need if you just utilize your resources."
Jessica Wallis advises people to not be afraid to try or start something new that Taft hasn't seen, she explains, "Because in the future we will need more here."


Jordan Miller, 27, is the headstrong and ambitious young businessman at Roger Miller Insurance ready to take on the future. Following in his father, Rich's, footsteps, Miller has not only become a part of the family business that has been in Taft since 1954, he has also become the diving coach at Taft High, like his father who was a veteran coach for over a decade at the University of Maine at Orono.
Miller has the classic, conservative sensibilities of his birthplace, Maine, which he utilizes in both his work environment and as a father of two children. The Millers have clearly made their mark on Taft and Jordan hopes to carry on in the tradition even though he is only a member of the Petroleum Club right now, he hopes to become more involved in the community in the future.

What do you like about Taft?
"It's a great community. Everybody knows everybody here and it seems the people that I deal with all generally want to do what's best for this town and I think that's a great thing."
Why do you choose to work in Taft?
"I do business in Taft because my family is here and all of the people I know are here. These are the people I want to serve, these are the people I want to do business with."

Are you optimistic about the future of Taft? "I am most certainly optimistic for what's going to happen in Taft, especially with Oildorado this year and the other coming events. I think all the right people are in place to set things in motion to get this community up and rolling. Not to say that we aren't already but I'm excited for great change in Taft and I think the people who are in charge of it all are going to be great."

What suggestions do you have to make Taft a better place to live?
"I really don't have any suggestions because I think Taft is already a great place to live in and there really isn't necessarily anything that needs to be changed."
Jordan Miller plans on raising his family and living in Taft for a long time to come and he hopes to see growth and change. For those who want to plant their roots in Taft like he has, Miller says to stick with it. "It takes a little bit of time to establish who you are,' he said. "Really, the main thing for starting a business in Taft is to create something unique, something you think that everybody here is going to want to participate in and enjoy."

Matthew Quintana, 22, and Chris Wysel, 25 are the duo behind the clothing company, Chaotik Klothing. Matthew and Chris, both from Taft, started Chaotik Klothing in 2007 after a brief period in starting a record label and wanting to record bands. The boys found that they enjoyed designing t-shirts and wanted to start printing their own designs but were still very much interested in being apart of the music scene. Matthew and Chris started out with a basic screen printing press and began to print their own designs. The boys started a Myspace page and put some of their designs on the page and instantly started receiving responses from people and bands wanting to purchase their designs, this led into being able to sponsor different bands. Once some bands started wearing their designs at shows and in music videos more bands started to see the clothing and wanted to be sponsored by Chaotik Klothing. With the success of sponsoring bands, the boys were able to purchase new equipment, a larger press, and build a larger shop. Most of Chaotik Klothing's business is done online with their designs printed in Taft. Chaotik Klothing is always accepting new clients and can be reached at myspace.com/ilovechaotik and www.chaotikklothing.com.

Why do you choose to do business in Taft? Do you see a future for you and your business in Taft?
"We have lived in Taft forever and we see the potential in the city. It is a good location for us to do business because Taft is centrally located and close to the coast and Los Angeles."

What do you like about Taft and why do you choose to do business here?
"Taft is our hometown and we want to give it a good name and help support the community in any way that we can, we see the potential for the community to grow and we want to be apart of it."

What advice would you give to people who wants to open a business in Taft or live in Taft?
"Starting a business is more difficult than you think, especially opening in a small town. It is wise to check out the competition in town and see how your business can differ so you don't open up the exact same type of business."

What suggestions do you have for Taft that would make Taft a better place to live and work and that would help your business grow?
"Hopefully over time outsiders will start recognizing Taft as a destination city and see what we have to offer. The more interest we have in the city the more business it will bring for everyone."