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
PCPS Celebrates National Public Schools Week – Showing the Magic That Happens Every Day in Classroom
[Polk County, Florida] — National Public Schools Week, celebrated February 23 – 27, 2026, is a time to celebrate the incredible work happening every day in classrooms across Polk County and all Florida school districts. Public schools are the clear choice for Florida families, with 85% of parents choosing Florida public schools and public charter schools to educate their children — and that is something to proudly celebrate! Together, Polk County Public Schools and Florida public schools are building
The Vanguard School Celebrates 60 Years of Serving Students Who Learn Differently
Lake Wales, FL — The Vanguard School is proud to announce the launch of its 60th Anniversary year, marking six decades of serving students who learn differently. Founded in 1966, Vanguard is a nonprofit independent boarding and day school for students in grades 6–12. For 60 years, the school has provided individualized education that helps students build the skills, confidence, and self-advocacy needed to accomplish life pursuits. The school’s mission remains central to its work:“The Vanguard School
Rotary Club 100 year Anniversary celebration, 3-27-26
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
Webber International University Celebrates First BSOTA Graduate to Pass National Board Exam
Babson Park, FL (February 5, 2026)– Webber International University proudly celebrates Samantha Wilson, a recent graduate from its Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (BSOTA) program. Samantha is the program’s first graduate to pass the National Board of Occupational Therapy Exam.Samantha stated, “I chose to major in Occupational Therapy Assistant after gaining early exposure to working with individuals with special needs during high school.”At the time she participated in events such as
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
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
