So, You Want to Start a Business?
The Lakeland-Winter Haven area is the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There are more than 232,000 households that account for almost $20 billion in annual economic activity.
More than ever, people—specifically entrepreneurs and corporations—want a piece of that pie.
Large global entities continue to build profitable franchises, warehouses and extensions in Lakeland, but it’s the ambitious, passionate small business owners who put distinctive handprints on how our city looks, feels and tastes.
The exciting part of living in Florida is that in 2021 there were 632,105 applications for new businesses submitted. The tough reality though, not just in Florida but nationally, is that 1 in 5 businesses do not survive a year and almost 50% of businesses close within five years.
One priceless asset that Lakeland has is a large number of successful businessmen and women who are willing to share their wisdom and point other entrepreneurs to resources and development opportunities that can help them beat the odds.
The Lakelander sat down recently with four savvy local business minds with a wealth of knowledge and experience to unpack some of their best advice for hopeful and existing small business owners.
So You Want To Start A Business Or Further Grow Your Business In Lakeland. Now What/Where Do You Start?
Dixon, Chamber of Commerce:
“When [a business owner] comes in, I ask them, ‘How can I be a resource to you? What resources do you need?’ And they are very excited about being informed about what they may not know just yet and also just being updated on the new trends. I see enthusiasm and hunger for wanting to be more informed so that they can advance their business.”
Abbott, Catapult:
“[In] 2022, we really found our purpose, our mission, and our momentum in our offerings. We have shifted away from a cohort-based education program, getting people together to go through a class; now it's really focused on one-on-one attention. ‘What do you need to learn? What does your business need? How can Catapult create that connection for you or create that educational opportunity for you?’”
Catapult now offers many one-on-one mentoring opportunities, connecting entrepreneurs with field and industry experts who are willing to provide their time to answer questions and confer wisdom.
Long, BRIDGE Local:
“I don't think that there's a one-size-fits-all entrepreneur or small business idea or venture. So realizing that those (people) that feel like Catapult is the solution for them, those that go to the Chamber and say,’This is for me,’ those that are Hispanic and can find the resources they need (at the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber)— there are still gaps, right? And so where social media can fill those gaps, BRIDGE Local seems to have an opportunity to do that.”
“How can Catapult create that connection for you or create that educational opportunity for you?”
BRIDGE Local moderates a community Facebook group of nearly 12,000 members, and is constantly working to connect people with local businesses and train local businesses in lead generation and online marketing.
Takiyah Dixon, Director of Business Resources at Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
Takiyah spent 18 years in education, working with every age group from VPK students to college students, and her primary focus the past decade has been on teaching life skills and workforce development.
She is also the founder and owner of D&G Mixed Media Art and Design.
In her role at the Chamber she is especially excited to help address skills gaps for traditionally underserved populations and connect entrepreneurs with potentially life-changing resources.
“When the opportunity arose at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, it was a perfect opportunity for me to be able to come and make a great impact on not just youth, but also business owners,” she said.
“...I see enthusiasm and hunger for wanting to be more informed so that they can advance their business.”
How Would You Describe The Local Business Climate In Lakeland?
Long, BRIDGE Local:
”We're the rockets, you know, the practice rockets that go up and down and up and down, and then now we're actually gonna launch. Like, this is a legitimate launch that we're getting ready to take off. I think the world's just gonna start to take notice of the entrepreneurial community of Lakeland because of all of the people who started to step in and become leaders in our city.”
Abbott, Catapult:
“I think that the national headlines that Lakeland has received for its growth, for its proximity to resources and the port and logistics and operations…is such a huge benefit to so many entrepreneurs or to outside businesses looking for another headquarters or another base of operation. I think we are positioned in an amazing time and an amazing geolocation.”
Christiaan Abbott, Workspace Director at Catapult Lakeland, Inc.
Christiaan has traveled the world as a professional dancer and theatrical professional, and also pitched billion dollar ideas to the CEO of Disney as part of a 20-year run with Disney Cruise Line.
He has lived in Lakeland for 12 years, but admits that it wasn’t until the pandemic forced him to work from home that he developed a genuine appreciation for the city.
When he learned about the Workspace Director position at Catapult he was intrigued by the opportunity to be intimately involved with the development and growth of the city by sharing his expertise and network of connections with entrepreneurs.
“These are the people who are gonna give my sons awesome jobs when their dreams come true,” he said. “And as well, just being a footnote in somebody else's story, helping somebody else's dream come true, that is such a worthwhile cause that just pulls on my heartstrings.”
“...credibility also comes with a bit of persuasiveness as well, because you have to be able to articulate your vision...”
What Characteristics About An Individual Do You Believe Are The Most Telling Of Whether Or Not They Will Be Successful As An Entrepreneur?
Rivera, Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber:
“Do not be afraid to take criticism. And I have a lot of members that [say], ‘I used to do this before and this is what I wanna open my business as.’ And I say, ‘OK, this is what you did before, but did you do it for yourself? Did you do it for someone else? And if you did it for someone else, did you learn something from that [person]?”
Abbott, Catapult:
“Successful entrepreneurs embody a level of credibility. They know their business or they've spent time in their business and maybe their boss didn't let 'em do it, so they went off and did it themselves. But they've had time in that industry and can go off and execute it their way or survive somehow. And then I think the credibility also comes with a bit of persuasiveness as well, because you have to be able to articulate your vision and persuade employees to go along for this startup ride or persuade an investor that they're gonna get their money back or that it's worth the risk.”
Long, BRIDGE Local:
“I'm gonna quote a Ted lasso quote: ‘Be a goldfish.’ You have to remember the mistakes you've made and not forget that you have to learn from the things that you've done. But when it comes to relationships and someone hurting you, don't carry that hurt. Don't become embittered. Don't become cynical. Because things are gonna go wrong, people are gonna screw you or use you or take advantage of a situation or steal an idea. And at the same time that sucks, that's a part of the marketplace. So get ready and embrace the competitiveness of it, but don’t lose the reason why you started in the first place.”
Dixon, Chamber of Commerce:
“Successful entrepreneurs take risks, and you have to not be afraid to fail over and over again because it may happen. Also, just being consistent and being around a supportive group.”
Ana Rivera, Semi-retired / Founder of Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County
Ana says she is semi-retired, but her schedule is still filled with meetings and lunches centered around helping bring sustainable businesses to Lakeland.
She knows what it’s like to be a corporate leader, working for years with the likes of Marshall’s and JC Penney, and she has operated successful businesses related to fashion design and product development.
When you fuse that together with the fact that the Puerto Rican native is a bold and seasoned advocate for helping guide Hispanic entrepreneurs, it’s no surprise that in 2007 she founded the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County.
“[The Chamber has] been able to help at least 70% of our members to start, continue and maintain their businesses here,” she said.”If you take a drive around, you know, not only Lakeland, but throughout all of Polk County, you will see on every corner, either a Spanish church or a Spanish restaurant, a Spanish barbershop, a mechanic, a dentist, etc.”
Chrissanne Long, CEO of Maximize Digital Media / Founder of BRIDGE Local
Chrissanne comes from a family of teachers—and she was a Polk County Schools teacher for nearly a decade—but eventually she found her own unique path.
She is the CEO of a digital marketing agency, the founder of several business networking organizations, and she loves to help people build successful businesses.
“I feel like my existence started when I became an entrepreneur,” she said. “When I became an entrepreneur I started to realize that I had a God-given purpose and I just stepped into it, and that’s what I’m doing.
“If you begin with the end in mind, the systems are gonna be what can take you to a successful business.”
What Industries Are Ripe For Growth In Lakeland?
Abbott, Catapult:
"I think the number one business started in Florida is a landscaping business because that business is always going to be needed. You find a business that can serve people who are retiring in this area and the ones coming out of college because those kids wanna live in a cool hip place that is affordable. So the restaurants, the bars, the experiences…I think if you can start a business that services one of those two demographics in a wonderful way, it will be gold.”
Long, BRIDGE Local:
“I'm not going to speak on specific industries, but on finding a business that's systematized or that can be repeated that you can create something that can scale. A lot of times people get into business with a service business for example, and it's like they're gonna do the service and then they get busy and then they know that they need to hire somebody, but they don't have a system to bring somebody on. If you begin with the end in mind, the systems are gonna be what can take you to a successful business.”
Dixon, Chamber of Commerce:
“I think there's a kind of a teeter totter back and forth. If you look at what education is doing right now, they're preparing students for trades. I think also the medical industry is booming as well…so I think those are some main areas in which if you’re looking to start a business, you would be successful.”
After Hours
If You Could Pick One Song As Your Theme Song For The Career You Have Had, What Would It Be And Why?
Abbott, Catapult:
"Um gosh, that’s hard. A Horse with No Name by America? I have wandered through my career and I have ended up places I didn't expect. And so I was trying to think of a song that I embodied, like accepting where you are and being open to the opportunities that are in front of you…and I just stayed open to it all…and I’m glad I did."
How Do You Define Success?
Rivera, Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber:
“Success is (learning something valuable from) every single experience that you go through, whether it's a good one, bad one, a mediocre one, it is part of what is the fabric of you. And that fabric of you, you're sharing it with everyone that you serve, and that's something no one can take and no one can teach."
Catch These Leaders On Video On The Lakelander Social Media, To Learn:
1. Ana Rivera’s advice on how to garner financial backing and community support for your business.
2. About local entrepreneurs who have inspired Christiaan Abbott with their outside the box thinking.
3. Chrissanne Long’s story of how “she did it scared” and that made all the difference.