A graphic that says "The way that the community in Lakeland is rising up to support its entrepreneurs is incredible." A quote from Caterina Fake

Caterina Fake shared insights from her career as an entrepreneur and investor. | Photo by LALtoday, Graphic via 6AM City

Catapult Lakeland hosted its 4th Annual Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards last night. With a keynote address from Caterina Fake — investor at Yes VC, co-founder of Flickr and Hunch, and one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People in the world — the co-working space known for launching Lakeland’s startups honored local entrepreneurial movers and shakers.

🏆 Entrepreneur Champion — Mayor Bill Mutz, City of Lakeland

Mayor Bill Mutz addresses a crowd on-stage beside Catapult President Christin Strawbridge — Mayor Bill Mutz accepts his award for 2023 Entrepreneur Champion

This award goes to a Lakeland community member who has intentionally taken the time to invest in the development of entrepreneurs. They have provided mentorship, support, and guidance to entrepreneurs navigating a business start-up.

Other nominees: Justin Heacock, Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship at Florida Southern College; Ian Gutoski, Hem Healer

🏆 People’s Choice — Jeremy Brumley, LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken

The People’s Choice Award winner is a Lakeland entrepreneur nominated by their community who may or may not be a Catapult member. Lakeland voted from a pool of finalists to select the 2023 winner.

Other nominees: Marcos Fernandez, Nineteen61; Callie Miller, Carilly

🏆 Catapulter of the Year — Nate Kendrick and Mike Mitchell, Mike & Mike’s Desserts

Nate Kendrick and Mike Mitchell accepting an award — Nate Kendrick and Mike Mitchell accepting the 2023 Catapulter of the Year Award

This Catapult member has already experienced significant success in their first few years of operating. They are a strategic leader in how they have started and begun to scale their business. They have demonstrated humility and willingness to learn that is inspiring to those around them.

Other nominees: Clay Canning, Screen Skinz; Josh Frost, Fine Line Machine; Kadean and Laures Dockery, Our Noire Kitchen; Fred Koehler, Ready Chapter 1

🏆 David Lyons’ Entrepreneur of the Year — Hunter Abramson, Relic Tickets

This award goes to a previous or present Catapult Member who successfully manages a business and exhibits strong entrepreneurialism, creativity, innovation, passion, perseverance, and risk-taking. This person is a trailblazer in their field and is committed to pouring back into the Lakeland community.

Other nominees: Diana Cortes, DOU Bakehouse; Jeff Cox, VeriTread

EVENTS

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Wednesday, Jan. 25

Lecture Series: Communities of the Kathleen Area | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library History Room, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Learn about local history from Lois Sherrouse-Murphy, author, historian, and past president of the Kathleen Area Historical Association.
Alzheimer Association’s In-Person Caregiver Support Group | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 10-11 a.m. | Florida Presbyterian Homes — McArthur Building, 810 Lakeside Ave., Lakeland | Free | Meet other caregivers and learn more about caring for loved ones at this monthly meeting.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Chris D’Elia LIVE! | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $49-$175 | Laugh it up with comedian and podcaster Chris D’Elia, known for Netflix specials like “No Pain” (2020), “Man on Fire” (2017), and “Incorrigible” (2015).
Free Yoga for Wellness - Weekly Classes | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, North Lakeland | Free | This donation-based yoga class focuses on the holistic well-being of the mind, body, and spirit.

Friday, Jan. 27

Lakeland Magic vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $12-$177 | The Magic go head-to-head against the Mad Ants at this Faith and Family Night game.
“Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $20-$26 | Laugh along at this comedic play featuring five bridesmaids hiding out from a wedding reception.

Saturday, Jan. 29

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Jan. 28 | Downtown Lakeland | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

84º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Development

In March, the Planning and Zoning Board will review plans for a potential 88-unit apartment complex and improvements to 7th Street Park that were proposed by Jewel Avenue neighborhood resident Orial Clarke. The workforce housing complex would accept residents earning 60-140% of the median income. 🏗 (The Ledger)
Hungry for BBQ? The new 4 Rivers Smokehouse going up on South Florida Avenue is coming along. We can already smell the brisket.
My, how you’ve grown — yes, we’re talking to you, Lakeland. With a projected population growth of 55.5% by 2060, it’s important for the healthcare industry to grow right alongside you. How is Lakeland Regional Health growing with our community? Get the deets on their six recently-opened or coming-soon locations. 🏥 *

Edu

Polk County Public Schools is partnering with Varsity Tutors to bring on-demand support in homework, study skills, and writing feedback to students at 43 Polk schools. The program is launching in February — learn more online. 🍎 (WFTS)

Community

Head to Polk State College on Thursday, Feb. 2 for the first event of the school’s month-long Black History Month celebration: Promoting Unity in our Community. The free luncheon will feature a keynote address from Anthony Gordon — co-owner of Jarrett Gordon Ford — plus performances and a scholarship presentation.

Number

$1.45 million. That’s how much Polk State College received for its nursing program via PIPELINE, a nursing education incentive program. In 2021, Polk State’s nursing graduates scored above the state and national averages on the NCLEX-RN, with a 91% pass rate compared to 64% and 82%, respectively. 🩺
583,200. That’s how many new Florida residents made the Sunshine State their home in 2022, according to the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Check out our article to learn more about your new neighbors — including where they’re migrating from. (The Ledger)

Shop

Fall in love with locally-made goods at the Dixieland Date Night Market on Saturday, Feb. 11. Hosted by The Emporium, Union Hall, and Pink Piano, this night market will feature everything from baked goods to local art from 6-11 p.m. at 1023 S. Florida Ave. 🛍

Try This

Lakeside Village is looking for vendors to participate in its February Second Sunday Artisan Market on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 12-5 p.m. For more information on becoming a vendor, email the team.
Whether you’ve always wanted to try your hand at clay creations, making mosaics, or a wine and paint night, head to Picassoz in February. Pro tip: Stop by Tea Largo after your class and reward your hard work with a much-deserved acai bowl, smoothie, or tea. 🎨

DYK

Did you know your payment history typically has the most significant impact on your credit score? PEFCU offers an easy solution to avoiding missed (or forgotten) payments: Bill Pay. Set up the dollar amount + the date, and your payment will be automatically sent each month to the biller. Done and done.*

Eat

Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: LALtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. 🍽️ *

Wellness

If one of your 2023 goals is to create more time for self care and relaxation, an acupressure mat is a must. The mats are designed to stimulate pressure points to relieve tension, decrease stress levels, and increase circulation. This ProsourceFit full body mat includes neck support.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

LEARN

Let’s do the time warp again 🕰

Step inside the Lakeland History Room to meet with expert historians. | Photo by LALtoday

Lakeland’s 2023 History Lecture Series kicks off tomorrow, and three more expert historians are already on the books.

Mark your calendars for the next three months to learn Lakeland’s history. Did we mention it’s totally free?

🚂 Henry Bradley Plant: Unexpected Friends, Long-Forgotten Dreams & Surprising Twists and Turns | Thursday, Feb. 23 | Dr. Canter Brown, Jr. will educate the public on the “King of Florida” — Henry Plant, who put Lakeland on the map with his railroad.

🧊 We Freeze to Please — The Lakeland Ice House | Thursday, March 30 | Come chill with William Lloyd Harris to learn more about the Lakeland Ice House.

🎖 Buffalo Soldiers — Those Men That Came Before | Thursday, April 20 | Richard Wilder will explore the history behind the Buffalo Soldiers, who were recently memorialized in Veterans Memorial Park.

All events take place in the Lakeland Public Library’s Lakeland History Room (100 Lake Morton Dr.) from 5:30-7 p.m.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Rilee.

Editor’s pick: It’s always an honor to attend events like the Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards, where I get to meet and celebrate Lakeland’s influential leaders and visionaries. Tell me about your favorite start-up or entrepreneur, we might give them a shout-out.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We turned the page to Lakeland’s book clubs and storytimes, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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