Celebrating a Decade of Advocacy & Excellence: Kabateck Strategies Marks 10 Years of Championing Small Businesses

On September 9, 2025, Sacramento marked the 10th anniversary of Kabateck Strategies, a firm that has shaped small business advocacy in California. Founded by seasoned strategist John Kabateck, the firm set standards in coalition building, policy influence, and elevating unheard entrepreneurial voices, making a powerful impact throughout its first decade.

At the heart of Kabateck Strategies was John Kabateck himself, a man whose career had been defined by dedication to public service and unwavering support for small business owners. Serving as the California State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and formerly as Director of External Affairs at the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kabateck had long been a bridge between policymakers and the everyday entrepreneurs who formed the backbone of the state’s economy.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of California,” Kabateck said. “They drive innovation, create jobs, and sustain communities. My goal has always been to ensure that these business owners have a voice in Sacramento, a seat at the table where decisions are made that directly affect their livelihoods.”

Kabateck Strategies grew from a solo initiative to a statewide advocacy powerhouse under John’s leadership. Guiding policy and shaping public discourse, the firm worked at the intersection of legislation, media, and grassroots efforts. Its initiatives united business owners, local leaders, and policymakers to find solutions that balanced economic growth with practical business realities.

The anniversary celebration in Sacramento highlighted the firm’s reach across the state, drawing influential government officials, business leaders, and advocacy champions together.

This important event in Sacramento gathered policymakers, business leaders, partners, and longtime partners: President of the Greater Arden Chamber of Commerce John Hoffman, founder of Nick Warner Consulting Nick Warner, Multipoint Content Strategies CEO Jeff Holden, Russian American Media founder Sergey Ivannikov, Bluemont Properties Inc President Benjamin Catlin, real estate investor and founder of Allison Rental Allison Zhang, Emmy Awards Judge, Showrunner and strategic media partnerVictor Migalchan, and many more.

“The anniversary was more than a celebration, it was an acknowledgment of the impact that John and his team had had on California’s business landscape,” said Victor Migalchan, EMMY Awards Judge, media personality, and long-time partner of Kabateck Strategies. “I had had the privilege of collaborating with John for years. Our shared commitment to empowering small businesses made our partnership both natural and impactful. John brought the voice of the business community to politicians who all too often forgot about the people who elected them, while I aimed to amplify that voice through media and public engagement. Together, our efforts helped ensure that small businesses, the foundation of a healthy economy, were not overlooked.”

Migalchan’s role at the event underscored the cross-sector collaboration central to Kabateck Strategies. With experience in media, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, Migalchan complemented the firm’s work: while John engaged policymakers, Victor ensured the stories and challenges of small business owners reached the public, inspiring engagement and support.

Over the last decade, Kabateck Strategies established itself as a formidable force in legislative advocacy. Its approach relied on coalition building, strategic engagement, and media-driven storytelling, with each reinforcing stronger policy outcomes and public awareness.

Coalition building was particularly instrumental in the firm’s success. Kabateck spearheaded numerous statewide initiatives, connecting disparate groups of stakeholders, from chamber leaders and local business owners to nonprofit advocates and municipal authorities, around common goals. A notable example of this approach was the formation of Californians Against Retail and Residential Theft (CARRT), a coalition that unified hundreds of business owners and community leaders to address rising theft rates across the state. By giving local voices national relevance, Kabateck Strategies consistently demonstrated that organized, strategic advocacy could lead to meaningful legislative change.

Strategic engagement was equally vital. Kabateck’s government relations expertise helped him navigate policy with precision. Whether advocating for tax reform, labor laws, or relief programs, the firm presented entrepreneurs’ interests clearly and persuasively. Engagement began locally, building campaigns that resonated with top decision-makers.

Media-driven storytelling formed the firm’s third pillar. Through interviews, op-eds, and appearances, Kabateck and his team communicated the real impact of policy decisions. By highlighting entrepreneurs’ personal stories, they humanized legislation and fostered empathy. Migalchan’s media and branding expertise amplified messaging beyond Sacramento.

Kabateck and Migalchan’s partnership was built on shared values and a commitment to civic responsibility. Both agreed small businesses were vital to the economy and believed in the power of policy and media working together. Their collaboration blended expertise to create real impact.

“John and I approached advocacy from different angles, but our goal was the same: to empower small businesses,” Migalchan explained. “When the ecosystem thrived, everyone benefited. It was about fostering community, creating knowledge-sharing networks, and ensuring that entrepreneurs had the tools and visibility they needed to succeed.”

This synergy played a key role in shaping public understanding of small business challenges and successes in California. From spotlighting legislative developments to celebrating entrepreneurial achievements, their joint efforts created a model for effective advocacy that blended policy, media, and community engagement.

As Kabateck Strategies celebrated its 10th anniversary, the focus remained firmly on the future. The firm planned to broaden its advocacy by launching new initiatives aimed at streamlining access to capital for small businesses, creating policy feedback channels for entrepreneurs, and expanding its networks to support underrepresented business communities.

John Kabateck reflected on the journey with humility and purpose: “A decade ago, we set out to give small business owners a voice. Today, we saw the tangible results of those efforts, policies shaped, coalitions formed, and countless entrepreneurs supported. But our work was far from finished. We would continue to advocate, educate, and elevate the businesses that kept California’s economy strong.”

Victor Migalchanechoed the need for collaboration: “Celebrating ten years wasn’t just about the past, it was about building the next decade. Together, we aimed to ensure small businesses stayed visible, supported, and celebrated. They were our economy’s backbone and deserved advocacy.”

The 10th anniversary of Kabateck Strategies showcased more than longevity, it demonstrated the firm’s role in elevating small business voices and shaping policy in California. Through advocacy, coalition-building, and media efforts, John Kabateck and his team ensured entrepreneurs’ interests remained central in public conversations.

As the Sacramento celebration ended, Kabateck Strategies renewed its commitment to advocating for small businesses. Strong partnerships and unwavering focus positioned the firm to continue shaping California’s economy and legislative environment.

The next decade promised even greater achievements, deeper community impact, and an enduring legacy of service, dedication, and advocacy for those who drove the state’s economy forward: the small business owners of California.