Makers of Note
Leisarà Handbags
Owners Hennessy Warner And Cassie Tucker
Photos Courtesy Of Leisarà Handbags, Written by Diego De Jesus
THE MAKER
Génesis “Hennessy” Warner and co-owner Cassie Tucker have brought high-end Italian leatherwork to customers in Lakeland and across the United States at competitive prices. Warner lived in Italy for a decade before building the foundation for Leisarà in 2017. She scoured Italy for manufacturers who measured up to her standard of quality and the heritage of “Made in Italy,” a very prestigious merchandise title in the style and accessories world.
With a new line of Leisarà handbags in the works, they plan to collaborate with independent retailers in Lakeland and potentially open a storefront in the future. For now, they aim to have their bags available in boutiques in the region.
THE PRODUCT
In Italian, Leisarà means “she will be”—an ethos Warner and Tucker cultivate to empower their female customer base to excel at anything they aspire to. Customer connection and storytelling are critical to the brand. The handbags, made from 100% Italian Saffiano leather with a spacious cotton till interior, embody the brand’s message and target working women and moms with accessible luxury pricing.
Warner and Tucker also host a Lakeland-operated podcast, “She Will Be,” that further pushes the brand’s message while covering a slew of topics that benefit their audience, such as entrepreneurial advice and overcoming adversity.
American Dance Party
Owners Dober Kline And Marco Denis
Photos Courtesy Of American Dance Party, Written by RJ Walters
THE MAKER
Marcos Denis wants to help you understand what you wear matters, and he wants to make you look fashionable in the process.
If you run into the 41-year-old around town you might see him in either his professional ensemble that he wears Monday through Friday as a teacher in Polk County Schools or you might literally see him run past you in athletic wear as he trains for another ultra marathon.
But if you see Denis in his most typical state, you’ll find him in something well loved and chic, possibly nostalgic and with a likely nod to pop culture.
He grew up shopping mostly in thrift stores, and in his mid 20s he was inspired to marry his love for second-hand clothes with the opportunity to teach consumers about ethical manufacturing.
After traveling the globe, reading books and watching documentaries on the massive scale and impact of sweatshops, in 2008 he launched American Dance Party.
What began as screen printed shirts that were made in the USA has turned into a cultural phenomenon that is now shirts “re-made in the USA.”
Denis’s goal is to use fashion forward clothing as a vehicle to help people understand the reality of low wages, exposure to harmful work environments and grueling hours of physical labor that is the reality behind many pieces of clothing they wear.
THE PRODUCT
American Dance Party gear is essentially one part second-hand clothing, hand stitched with fun, and sometimes rare, swatches of bedding.
“A lot of these fabrics end up in landfills and they take so so many years to break down,” Denis said. “Rather than having this just pile up and pile up in landfills, we can do our part and make something cool and nostalgic and make every piece really one of one.”
Denis and his business partner, Dober Kline, have built a manufacturing pipeline that begins with valuable connections to suppliers of character-laded bedsheets and pillows that date back to as early as the 60s, and the materials are hand sewn by a team of experienced seamstresses who live in Central Florida.
“Our seamstress team is incredible,” Denis said. “A lot of times it’s older women with incredible backgrounds in sewing who are extremely talented but who are doing other jobs because this kind of work isn’t there.”
A large part of the sales of American Dance Party and the culture the company has built is thanks to how staff connect with fans at large music festivals across the United States. Denis said that getting approval to sell at the Okeechobee Music Festival years ago was a big break that led to creating pop-up stores at enormous events, including Bonnaroo.
You can purchase merchandise from americandanceparty.com or follow their journey on Instagram or TikTok.
Swan City Improv
Written by Diego De Jesus
THE MAKER
Nathaniel Fleming started doing improv when he was 8 years old and built his comedy career from the ground up. He founded Swan City Improv in 2016, where it began with teaching middle schoolers improv for a thespian competition. When he was asked to raise funds to support it, Fleming called some friends and they put on a show on April Fools weekend, a one-night-only show that sold out. Over time, the audience for sows grew from 25 to 50 to 100, the regularity of the shows did, too. Today, Swan City Improv hosts a pair of shows each month. Soon they will be introducing a new “game show” themed offering where participants will compete for cash prizes.
THE PRODUCT
Swan City Improv offers classes and private shows in addition to monthly shows for the general public on the first Friday of each month with ticket rates of $10 for one show or $15 for both. There is a family friendly show at 7:30 p.m. and a 9:30 p.m. show suited for 21+ audiences.
They also offer corporate workshops for communication training using improv techniques that can help improve communication skills specifically tailored to the client’s needs. The workshops focus on group exercises rather than performing in front of a crowd. You can learn more about the corporate workshop offering on the organization’s website:
McFarland's Shoe Repair
Written by Diego De Jesus
THE MAKER
James McFarland was born into the cobbling business, started working in it when he was 15 years old and inherited his father’s shoe repair shop in 1986, at the age of 21. Since then, McFarland has succeeded in maintaining the measure of craftsmanship carried down for five generations. His work is world-renowned. He has won numerous gold medals at cobbling competitions around the globe, and he has clients from all over the world who ship him high-end name-brand footwear that needs repaired.
McFarland’s nephew, Kyle Crouse, is next in line to carry the torch and has been an apprentice for a year. McFarland said he plans on working for at least another five years in the shop because he’s still driven by his passion for the craft and his customers.
He is a seasoned veteran who has leaned into new tricks. He has more than 900,000 TikTok followers and nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram and his handle is appropriately “americascobbler” on both platforms, which might sound overstated but is backed up by the millions of views he is racking up.
THE PRODUCT
McFarland’s Shoe Repair provides services that restore and maintain footwear to their prime condition. The specific service depends on the shoe’s condition and what repairs it needs or if it needs a simple shining.
Most of McFarland’s clients send pictures of their shoes through email and McFarland will assess what needs to be fixed or amended, potentially offering further suggestions once he gets a better look in-person. Walk-ins are also an option at the store located at 5355 S. Florida Ave.. They also carry in-store products to care for footwear including polish, waterproofing, conditioners, etc. from brands like Saphir.
Inquiries can be made on their website:
Uncle Bucky's Southern BBQ
Owner Eli Buford
Photos by Jordan Randall, Written by RJ Walters
THE MAKER
Life has been filled with challenges for Eli Buford. He grew up in what he calls “the projects” of Lakeland, he lost his father at age 12, and he buried his mother eight years later. But God placed people in his life—including longtime friends Greg and Lisa Rounds—who shared the love of Jesus with him and also invested in his passion for barbecue and people. His first customers were his friends, and by 2020 he was selling authentic southern barbecue on the street corner—until it quickly became apparent that he was best off getting the proper permits and putting together a business plan. That’s when his uncle Ron, and Eli's girlfriend, Jessica Leigh, helped him put the money together to purchase a food truck. The name Uncle Bucky originates from Eli's nephew "Tank," who has a young boy tried to say "Uncle Buddy" but ended up sticking with Bucky. A quote on his food truck sums up Buford’s philosophy well: “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”
THE PRODUCT
Uncle Bucky’s is committed to crafting food that tastes like it took all day to make at home—something that harkens Buford back to days of old watching his dad grill on their front porch.
His southern style ribs are prime cuts of meat with seasoning and sauce that Buford touts allows you to “taste everything versus something.”
“You get a little kick, but not too much of a kick; a little sweetness, but not too much sweetness,” he says.
He’s also proud of his turkey legs, which he says are a stark contrast to the kind people traditionally like to carry around a fairground or theme park all day. “My turkey legs are juicy and full of flavor,” he says. “If you try and hold one up and move…yeah, it’s gonna fall off the bone.”
His menu also includes hearty chopped chicken and pulled pork sandwiches, tasty sides like baked beans and brisket and potato salad, and homemade cake options for dessert.
Buford is bringing his genuine smile and tasty food all over Central Florida, and you can find out where next by following Uncle Bucky’s Southern BBQ on Facebook.
Meraki Bakehouse
Owner Mara Rutledge
Photos Courtesy Of Meraki Bakehouse, Written by Gabriela Andrews
THE MAKER
Mara Rutledge grew up in a home where food was a love language. Now an adult, she is sharing her love language with Lakeland through her own small business, Meraki Bakehouse. In Greek the word “meraki” means to put heart, soul or passion into whatever you do. This passionate creativity is inherent to the elements of detail, balance and beauty Meraki gracefully crafts into its baked goods.
Designing and operating a women-owned business has given Mara the opportunity to create an environment where work can be fulfilling and fun, giving staff the opportunity to deeply commit to each delectably intricate task at hand. Recognizing Lakeland appreciates craft and comfort, she frequently collaborates with other local businesses, harnessing the belief that supporting one small business supports many.
THE PRODUCT
Offering a variety of specialized pastries, Meraki Bakehouse infuses European-inspired flavors into Lakeland’s baked goods scene. Catering to both savory and sweet palettes, their goal is to create an experience. By designing products that are pleasing to the eye and also delicious to taste, customers are given the best of both worlds.
For those with a sweet tooth, be on the lookout for the Supreme, a luxurious, creme-filled circular croissant. For something savory, try another undeniable fan favorite, the G.O.A.T., which is filled with goat cheese, confit garlic and basil.
Meraki Bakehouse currently serves up fresh baked goods at the Lakeland Curbside Market on Saturday mornings. A selection of their products are also offered at Hillcrest Coffee, happyfastdelicious and the Kitty Cat Lounge.
