Hello Thursday.
April 25 2024
If you’ve lived here for five minutes, you’ve likely noticed that Lakeland loves small businesses. For those of you who resolved to get your biz off the ground in 2022, we’re rounding up some helpful resources + information to get you started.
Resources
- New Business 101 — This free four-session class hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce introduces new entrepreneurs to bank officials, marketing professionals + local business mentors. Registration is now open for the February class.
- Central Florida SCORE — Polk County entrepreneurs can get access to mentorship, classes + workshops. Attend the next event, Create Impactful Content, on Wed., Feb. 9 at 7:45 a.m. at My Office and More (122 E. Main St.) for $10.
- Catapult Lakeland — This Lake Mirror-adjacent workspace offers coworking space, offices for rent, dedicated desk space, a maker space, and commercial kitchen.
- The Well — Lakeland's new $1.3 million, 4,700 sqft workspace will work to support underrepresented business owners to launch, grow, and sustain their business. Stop by The Well’s grand opening on Jan. 21 from 5-8 p.m. at 114 E. Parker St.
Funding
Find information regarding funding + financial incentives at the following institutions:
Tips
Heed this advice from local business owners said when starting your business:
- “Tell someone your idea! Then believe in it every day…” — @crash_bookshop
- “Start with basics: legal creation online with the state. For FL, sunbiz.org… don’t go big with inventory, equipment, and furnishings. Keep costs low when starting out…” — @puravie
- Don’t get too overwhelmed by the end goal- focus on just starting somewhere! — @balanceculture
Head this way for more information on how to start + grow your business.
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Today
- Trivia | Wed., Jan. 19 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Bring your team of trivia titans and show off your general knowledge while snacking on bites from Smokin’ Chanchos.
Thursday
- 48 States Away | Thurs., Jan. 20 | 7 p.m. | Hillcrest Coffee | Free | Hillcrest Coffee is serving up snacks and drinks while 48 States Away plays this free show — donations are accepted. 🎵
Friday
Saturday
- Great Florida Bigfoot Conference 2022 | Sat., Jan. 22 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $25 | Sasquatch enthusiasts can appreciate a panel of Bigfoot researchers, investigators + authors.
- Cinéma Art Historique | Sat., Jan. 22 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | Free | Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Polk Museum of Art, discusses the documentary “Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock?” — must register in advance. 🎨
Sunday
- Uplift and Be Well | Sun., Jan. 23 | 1-4 p.m. | Lake Crago Amphitheatre, 525 Lake Crago Dr. | Free | Relax with a yoga class, meditation class, or dance cardio class + order from food vendors on site — proceeds go to the United Way of Central Florida.
Monday
- Happy Hour | Mon., Jan. 24 | 12-7 p.m. | The Brass Tap | Free | Catch a game of Monday night football + savor select draft beer, wine, spirits, and food for $4.25. 🍺
Tuesday
- Token Tuesday | Tues., Jan. 25 | 4 p.m.-2 a.m. | Rec Room | Free | Get $2 in-game tokens for every drink purchased.
Wednesday
- Florida Southern Basketball Game | Wed., Jan. 26 | 5:30 p.m. | Florida Southern College | $5+ | See Florida Southern’s women’s and men’s basketball teams compete against Florida Tech, starting with the women’s game at 5:30 p.m.. 🏀
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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Weather
- 74º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
- Don’t pack up the jackets yet. Despite temperatures climbing from this week's chill, another cold front is expected sometime tomorrow night. You can prepare to wake up to low 40s and high 30s, with a chance for cold rain on Friday morning. 🌨️ (The Ledger)
Development
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Mayor Bill Mutz suggested the development of a boardwalk over Lake Hunter as an alternative to the route along Sikes Boulevard, after city commissioners met to discuss plans for a new recreational trail. The trail, which would connect downtown to Bonnet Springs Park, will not be completed for six to seven years. 🚴 (LkldNow)
- A 300-unit Carlton Arms apartment complex, which will be located near Cypress Gardens Boulevard, was approved by the Winter Haven Planning Commission. Plans for the complex require that at least 5% of the units be affordable for low to moderate income residents. (The Ledger)
Number
- 2 million. That’s how many N-95 respirators Lakeland-based manufacturer, Advanced Concept Innovations, is making in a day. The business, which formerly made cosmetic wipes, transitioned to mask manufacturing due to rising demand and inquiries from local health institutions. (WFLA News Channel 8)
Outdoors
- Local artist Josh “Bump” Galletta is partnering with Parker Street Ministries to bring a new project to North Lake Wire Park and Parker Street Park. While the project details have yet to be released, you can stop by the parks as early as this week for a sneak peek. 🎨
Community
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The City of Lakeland + the Polk County Solid Waste Division are hosting a free Household Hazardous Waste and End-Of-Life Electronics Collection on Feb. 5 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Drop old car batteries, oil, tires, electronics, appliances, or scrap metal off at a hazardous waste collection facility.
Feel Good
- Local Publix fan, Atticus, celebrated turning five with a Publix-themed birthday party. He was named “Employee of the Month” at his party, complete with a child sized grocery store, shopping carts, a lollipop scale, and a Publix cake, of course. 🛒 (Fox 13 News)
- Florida Southern College students packed 800 meals for KidsPack on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In addition to packing meals, students also heard a keynote address from Evett L. Simmons, chair of the university Board’s Diversity Task Force.
Drink
- Strawberry Sangria is back at Keel and Curley Winery. To celebrate the return of strawberry season, head to the winery on Sat., Jan. 22 for Keel Farms Sangria Night. The celebration will feature Latin food + music, tastings, and strawberry sangria, obviously. 🍓
Health
- What’s better for your heart, butter or margarine? Here’s the answer from the pros at Lakeland Regional Health. 💬*
*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.
Jenna O’Brien, artist and owner of Color Theory Tea, was asked to paint four murals for the new Alta Schoolhouse. The first of her murals makes use of color by painting various fruits and vegetables.
The other murals that will adorn the preschool walls will feature planets in outer space, a garden of flowers, and weather elements.
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Editor’s pick: I’ve loved reading your “unwritten rules” for Lakeland. Since sharing them, we’ve received a few more from our readers. Check them out:
- “Read Southside Cleaners marquee from both sides.” — Reader Maureen B.
- “We shop at Publix. Mr. George started his grocery store here and it would be sacrilegious to shop anywhere else.” — Reader Haley F.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We talked about a new way to recycle that could someday make its way to Lakeland, here.
LALtoday Team
Editorial: Katelyn, Rilee, Kaylee
Sales: Kailey
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