Local services businesses like Help(her) are ready to serve with whatever you need. | Photo by Jordan Weiland Photography
When you need a professional mentor, fresh manicure, or the perfect wedding florist, these small service businesses have you covered in Lakeland. In honor of Small Business Week powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, we’re bringing you 25+ service providers to support, plus reviews from happy clients.
Professional services
Help(her) | Contracted assistance
“Help(her) fills a void in our business that we knew we had, but were unable to fill or afford. Once we used Help(her) we stopped dropping balls and began running with higher efficiency and quality.” — Reviewer Jamie C.
Empowered to Profit | Bookkeeping + accounting
“I can’t imagine doing business without them on my side, and cannot recommend them highly enough.” — Reviewer Caitria
Mention Small Business Week to Clean Coast for $100 off the Spring Cleaning Package + a free gutter cleaning with any roof cleaning service.
Photo by Anthony Jimenez
Home + auto
Clean Coast Soft Wash | Exterior cleaning services
“Not often do you see work that makes you go outside just to look at your driveway!” — Reviewer Josh T.
Tunes-N-Tint | Vehicle customizing
“Was done quick and with quality, will refer to anybody because they are professional and great!!!” — Reviewer Gio
Taylormade is offering a 20% floral discount to any new booking brides + 20% off month-of wedding coordinating service this week for LALtoday readers.
Taylormade Floral & Event Design | Florist
“The level of service at Taylormade Wedding and Event Flowers is fantastic. Having been a customer for many years, I am consistently impressed by the professionalism I have come in contact with. Thank you!” — Reviewer Erin B.
Graingertainment | DJ services
“This team was amazing. Chris listened to our wants and was able to execute with professionalism and excitement. If you are looking for a DJ to make your wedding the best event of the year, you must hire them!” — Reviewer Christina
Lakeland Historic Preservation Awards | 5:30 p.m. | Polk Theatre | Free | Enjoy a social before seeing who will win an award for their efforts to save Lakeland’s historic buildings.
Night at The Opry | 6:30 p.m. | Historic Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven | $35 | Performers will step into the circle for renditions of country hits by Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn.
Thursday, May 8
Lake Gibson Village: Veterans Benefit Presentation | 2 p.m. | Lake Gibson Village Assisted Living and Memory Care | Free | Learn about benefits available through the VA that could help cover assisted living costs.
Friday, May 9
Hurricane Prep for Central Florida Yards | 10-11 a.m. | Hollis Garden | Free | Get your landscape storm-ready by learning how to identify risks and spot potential hazards.
Girls Night Out | 5-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Price of purchase | Gather your gal pals and pick up your passport to sip + shop your way around downtown.
Saturday, May 10
Wings ‘n Waffles | 9-10 a.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus | $10 | Gene Conrad + Eric Crump of the Aerospace Center for Excellence will speak about its future plans while you dine on chicken and waffles.
Rojo Perez | 8 p.m. | Union Hall | $20 | This former Lakelander returns for a hometown comedy show after appearances on “The Tonight Show” and Comedy Central, with a guest performance by Eric Schmidt.
Webster Park is now named Nellie Madalynne Brooks Park after a unanimous vote by city commissioners on Monday. Brooks was a known civil rights and business leader — soon, you’ll be able to read more about her life on historical markers near the park’s entrance. (Fox 13 News)
Ranked
Florida is the No. 6 best state in the nation according to U.S. News’ ranking. It’s also the No. 1 state for economy and No. 2 for education. Good news for anyone enrolling their kids in school.
Pets
Polk County Bully Project has introduced “A Safe Place for Strays,” a new outdoor kennel where Lakelanders can safely drop off lost dogs found outside of the nonprofit’s hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find it at 5840 W. Brannen Rd., near SPCA Florida.
Edu
Florida Polytechnic University is partnering with Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) to offer students a path to careers in the healthcare industry. The collaboration will combine Florida Poly’s STEM education with OCOM’s expertise in medical training to meet the state’s demand for healthcare workers.
Theater
Lights, camera, action. Lakeland Community Theatre’s Out of the Box troupe will perform “A Night at the Movies,” written by Lawton Chiles Middle Academy students, this Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10. Tickets are free, but donations help fund the Out of the Box program for performers with disabilities.
Kids
If your child knows that the five D’s of dodgeball are “dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge,”sign them up for the Lakeland Family YMCA’s Summer Dodgeball Clinic. The eight-week program running June 5-July 24 is open to members and non-members ages 7-12.
Watch
Alligator mating season is in full swing, meaning you may come across a gator at places like Circle B Bar Reserve. Check out the big one that crossed the trail this weekend, captured by Michelle and Andrew Giroux, and learn what to know about mating season. (Fox 13 News)
Support the arts in Polk County + get exclusive access to discounts and events when you become a Member of the AGB Museum of Art. Sign up to start taking advantage of benefits like savings on Art Camps and reciprocity with other top museums.*
Biz
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Pets
Pumpkin, blueberries, quinoa, USDA-grade meat — those are the air-dried ingredients in Sundays For Dogs, a shelf-stable fresh dog food. Save 50% on your pup’s first order.*
Featured Deal
To celebrate Small Business Week powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, we’re offering small business owners 20% off purchases in our Self-Service Ad Portal. Use the discount code SMALLBIZ at checkout through Sunday, May 9.
How do you celebrate the person who has it all? By joining mom at one of these local Mother’s Day events happening on Friday, May 9; Saturday, May 10 + Sunday, May 11.
If mom is a maker at heart, PicassoZ Art Cafe will be open for Mother’s Day weekend walk-ins. Pop in Saturday + Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m., to design pottery and mosaics together.
Moms who can shop ‘til they drop will find plenty of treasures this weekend. Visit The Modern Pearl’s market with a complimentary flower bar on Friday, 6-8 p.m.
Finally, if mom just wants a nice family photo, Bok Tower Gardens is offering free admission for all mothers on Sunday. Hear carillon concerts at 1 and 3 p.m., and grab lunch at the Blue Palmetto Cafe.
Support small businesses and artisans across the country when you shop Amazon Handmade. We love these aromatherapy shower steamers that are USA-made with plant-powered scents like peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, and lemon.
I’m trying to convince my mom to spend her Mother’s Day weekend in Lakeland. Here’s what I’m thinking for our agenda: a Frank Lloyd Wright tour at FSC, Bonnet Springs Park’s AAPI Cultural Celebration, a stop at Born & Bread (her favorite), and Mayfaire by-the-Lake. Moms, how does this sound to you?
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