Chamber Rising Newsletter - 1st Edition - July 2026
Bok Tower Gardens Receives $15,000 Challenge Grant from Foxwynd Foundation to Help Save One of the World's Rarest Plants
Bok Tower Gardens Receives $15,000 Challenge Grant from Foxwynd Foundation to Help Save One of the World's Rarest PlantsChallenge grant will double community support for conservation of the critically endangered Florida ZiziphusLake Wales, Fla. — Bok Tower Gardens has received a generous challenge grant from the Foxwynd Foundation to support critical conservation efforts aimed at preventing the extinction of the Florida Ziziphus (Pseudoziziphus celata), one of the rarest and most imperiled plant species on
Bok Tower Gardens to Receive 100th AED from Culpepper Cardiac Foundation
Community Invited to Special Presentation on Heart Health and Life-Saving AED Awareness on July 19LAKE WALES, Fla. — Bok Tower Gardens is honored to receive the 100th Automated External Defibrillator (AED) donated by the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation during a special community event on Sunday, July 19, at 2:00 p.m. The presentation will be led by foundation founder Melanie Brown Culpepper Beilke, whose personal journey has inspired a growing movement dedicated to saving lives through public access to
Webber International University Deepens Commitment to AI-Centric Executive Education as National Demand Accelerates
Babson Park Florida, July 9, 2026 — Webber International University today highlighted its continued partnership with Zschool, the executive education provider whose AI-integrated programs are equipping leaders across industries to drive measurable business impact. The university is one of more than 30 institutions nationwide collaborating with Zschool to deliver workforce-ready credentials to working professionals. Across the most recent quarter, the Zschool network has seen a marked acceleration in demand
Mark Arquitt, Chad Barron, and Christen Johnson begin three-year terms on GWCF Board of Directors
LAKELAND, FL (July 1, 2026) – GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) welcomes three new board members to the GWCF Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2026. Mark Arquitt, Chad Barron, and Christen Johnson were unanimously approved at the final board meeting of GWCF's 2025-2026 fiscal year in May, and will serve three-year terms. "Our new board members are passionate about serving our community,” said Callie Neslund, GWCF’s President and CEO. “We welcome their expertise and leadership as the Community
Wawa Summer Fun Days Back in 2026 with 8 Days of Complimentary Admission
Lake Wales, FL - Wawa and Bok Tower Gardens are teaming up again to offer Wawa Summer Fun Days featuring complimentary admission on the last Thursday and Friday of May through August.The 2025 Wawa Summer Fun Days will be May 28-29, June 25-26, July 30-31, and August 27-28.Pre-registration is requested for this complimentary offer. Visitors can register at https://boktowergardens.org/wawa-summer-fun-days-2026/ The extremely popular seek & find game "Where's Wally" will be back again adding another level
Why Every Lake Wales Business Should Have a Media Kit Ready Before the Call Comes
A media kit (also called a press kit) is a curated package of materials that tells your business's story to journalists, partners, and investors — on your terms, before they ask. For businesses in Lake Wales and the broader Lakeland-Winter Haven area, where the Economic Development Council is actively drawing new attention to the region, being prepared matters. Studies show that 70% of journalists prefer finding company information independently rather than waiting for an email response — meaning if your
Scaling Market Research for a Changing Business Landscape in Lake Wales
Local businesses across the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council face a familiar challenge: the market never sits still. As customer expectations shift and regional opportunities evolve, companies must keep their research practices nimble enough to monitor new patterns, test assumptions, and make decisions with confidence. This article explores practical ways to expand and modernize your market research without overwhelming your team or your budget. Learn below about: Why
How to Get More Customer Referrals: Smart, Strategic Moves for Small Business Owners
Attracting new customers is essential, but when your existing customers become your biggest fans, you unlock one of the most cost-effective growth levers in business: customer referrals. Referrals build trust faster than advertising. They cost less than paid search. And they scale when you build systems—not just hopes—around them. But here’s the problem: most small business owners wait for referrals instead of engineering them. Let’s fix that.Summary in a Snap If you're a small business owner and want
These Are Smart Ways to Keep Your Costs Low When Starting a Restaurant
Opening a restaurant is exciting, but the financial side can be daunting. Rent, equipment, staff, and permits quickly add up. The good news: with the right strategy, you can keep costs lean without cutting corners. 1. Start Small Before Scaling Instead of investing heavily in a large location, many first-time owners test their concept in lower-cost formats: Food trucks or pop-up kitchens Shared commissary kitchens Weekend farmer’s market booths These options help validate your menu,
Beneath the Surface: What Founders Miss About Risk Until It Bites Back
Launching a startup is often described as a leap of faith, but that metaphor misses something important—it implies a single moment of risk. In truth, starting and scaling a company means walking a daily tightrope, balancing opportunity with uncertainty, growth with exposure, ambition with fragility. The mythology around entrepreneurship loves to spotlight risk-takers as if recklessness is a virtue, but smart founders know better. Risk isn't just something to stomach—it's something to study, strategize,
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Lake Wales, FL Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. Read more for details on how this may impact your business in the future. 1. Determine if
Business Acrobatics: Adobe Tools Help Women Entrepreneurs Nail the Landing
As we celebrate Women's Small Business Month this October, it's important to recognize the innovative tools that empower women entrepreneurs to streamline their operations and drive growth. Adobe Acrobat offers a suite of features designed to enhance productivity, making it easier to manage documents, collaborate with teams, and handle essential business tasks efficiently. For women business owners looking to save time and focus on scaling their ventures, these solutions can be a game-changer in
