The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is applauding its 35 newest graduates from a course on how to start and run a business.

Jay Tamsi is the president of the organization and said the students learned critical information on how to start and in stay in business over the last 10 weeks.

“They gained marketing skills, they gained business skills and financial skills, and also how to run a budget and do payroll,” Tamsi said.

Jessie Salazar has worked in real estate for 17 years. He said he learned quality information over the span of the course.

Your CPA, your banking, your financing – every week, we had a different subject, so it was a lot of learning experience,” Salazar said.

The graduates celebrated with their families Monday night in downtown Bakersfield. All were given free chamber memberships.

– Anthony Pollreisz