Citizens Bank & Trust Acquires The Bullard Agency to Expand Subsidiary Services, 2/2/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marianne George Citizens Bank & Trust 863.455.4215 Marianne.george@citizens-bank.com Citizens Bank & Trust Acquires The Bullard
Request for Proposals Restaurant Services - Lake Ashton Community Development District (CDD)
Lake Ashton Community Development District (CDD) is soliciting proposals to operate a casual restaurant/sports bar at the CDD’s Clubhouse in Lake Wales, Florida. The objective of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to enter into a lease or management agreement with the Lake Ashton Community Development District to provide full-service bar and restaurant operations at the Lake Ashton Clubhouse. Optional catering opportunities are also available to those who are interested.Introduction Lake Ashton is a
Brake Burger and Vanguard team up for Spirit Night this Friday
Brake Burger Garage and The Vanguard School invite the community to come together this Friday for Vanguard Spirit Night supporting local students and local business. This Friday, community members are encouraged to dine at Brake Burger Garage in Lake Wales from 3pm to close. A portion of proceeds from Spirit Night will benefit The Vanguard School, a nonprofit boarding and day school serving local students in grades 6–12 who learn differently. Spirit Night is an easy, family-friendly way to support
United Way of Central Florida Offers Free, Online and In-Person Tax Filing
Lakeland, FL – United Way of Central Florida (UWCF) is offering free tax preparation services for the 2026 tax season through its MyFreeTaxes® online platform and in-person IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. These services help qualifying residents in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties file accurate federal and state tax returns at no cost, ensuring families keep more of their hard-earned money. MyFreeTaxes® is a secure online filing platform available to U.S.
After Decorated Career Webber’s Bowling Coach Set to Step Aside
Babson Park, FL (January 15, 2026)– The Kegel Training Center and Webber International Athletics have announced a change to the long-standing relationship between the Center and the School. Head Coach Del Warren will step down at the end of the 2025-26 season, and the school will move team operations from the Kegel brand to the Warrior Athletics brand. Webber and Kegel will remain partners as the team will continue to use the Kegel Center for training, and this move will help streamline administrative
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
