Small Business

Two headshot-style photos of a Black female are displayed side by side.
Culture
6 questions with Miss Lakeland USA, Karolyne Roberts
April 26, 2024 02:58 PM
 · 
Amelia Herring
RV campsite with tropical trees, tiki hut, and outdoor living area
Experience
Plan a stay you’ll never forget at one of these unique places in Polk County, FL
Polk is full of special places to stay that offer guests a break from traditional motels and hotels — check out our favorites in and around Lakeland, Florida.
November 20, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
An overhead shot of Bandidas' Concord Grape + Apple pie
Food
Build a Thanksgiving Day meal from your favorite Lakeland eateries
Eight local eateries where you can pick up Thanksgiving classics
November 17, 2023
 · 
David Stringer
LAL-happyfastdelicious-11.17.23GIF.gif
Sponsored
Get drive-thru coffee with 2 pumps of fun at happyfastdelicious
Sponsored by
City Editor Connor holding a cat at Purrology.
City
City Editor Connor’s 3 favorite Lakeland news stories from 2023
Take a look at some of our favorite stories we brought you in 2023 — and learn about how you can keep them coming by supporting LALtoday with the gift of your membership.
November 6, 2023
The exterior of Kitty Cat Lounge in Lakeland, FL
Business
Come with us to Kitty Cat Lounge, Lakeland’s newest cat café
Grab a coffee and curl up with adoptable cats at Kitty Cat Lounge. It’s the second business of its kind to open in Lakeland.
November 3, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
City Editor Rilee holding up a delicious looking iced coffee.
City
City Editor Rilee’s 3 favorite Lakeland news stories from 2023
Take a look at some of our favorite stories we brought you in 2023 — and learn about how you can keep them coming by supporting LALtoday with the gift of your membership.
October 31, 2023
A colorful sign reading "I love Mi Pueblo" in the foreground with flea market buildings in the background
Experience
Shop, swap, sell, and save in Lakeland
Here’s the deal — the thrift and vintage shopping scene is stellar in Swan City.
October 23, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
The exterior of the Lakeland Antique Mall with a sign reading "Antique Mall" and a life-size horse statue
Business
Go treasure hunting at the Lakeland Antique Mall
Search through over 40,000 sqft of vintage collectibles and antiques at one of Lakeland’s largest antique malls.
September 28, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An exterior view of Mitchell's Coffee Shop in Lakeland, FL
Business
The 25-year history of Lakeland’s oldest coffee shop
Mitchell’s Coffee Shop has been serving up coffee and gourmet food since 1998. See what inspired the coffee shop’s owner to open the first shop of its kind in Lakeland 25 years ago.
September 26, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lakeland entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses pitch their big ideas at Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night.
Sponsored
Tickets now available for Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night 2023
The semi-annual program gives startups and small businesses the chance to apply to pitch their biz ideas for up to $10,000 in funding.
Sponsored by
Man stands next to door of bakery.
Sponsored
From hobby to passion: How a local bakery got its start
Sponsored by
A group of people sit on yoga mats doing a yoga practice in Hollis Garden in Lakeland, FL
Experience
Flow at these Lakeland yoga studios
Check out these eight yoga studios around Swan City, which offer classes for beginners, hot yoga, and more fitness classes.
August 23, 2023
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
Lakeland entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses pitch their big ideas at Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night.
Sponsored
Ready for Shark Tank? Apply for Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night 2023.
The semi-annual program gives startups and small businesses the chance to apply to pitch their biz ideas for up to $10,000 in funding.
Sponsored by
Two shoppers purchasing goods from a market vendor's tent. The table is covered with stationery and tote bags.
Business
5 top markets to shop in Lakeland
Find handmade goods, tasty food and drink, or a unique piece of art at these community markets.
August 7, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Bank of Central Florida’s VP Commercial Relationship Manager, Dawn Lyons smiles with Business Owner, Matt Wade.
Sponsored
Business Beat: How this local family business got the tire rolling
Sponsored by
A golden retriever sits on a path.
Sponsored
How to protect your pet from heartworm
Sponsored by
Interior of bizjet design center with mock ups of jet interiors.
Sponsored
How to ELEVATE your business potential
Collaboration + teamwork are at the core of ELEVATE — a local think-space designed to foster creativity and innovation in the transportation industry.
Sponsored by
A woman smiling and walking into a downtown shop with a tote bag that reads "Lakeland Farmers Market"
Business
Beyond the market: Supporting local small businesses online and in-person
Don’t wait until fall to show your favorite small business some love. Here’s how you can support them in person and online.
July 26, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A group of young professionals laugh, talk, and drink beer at a long table outside. A sign reading "emerge" is visible in the background.
Small Business
Lakeland outings perfect for your corporate team
If you manage a team and want to facilitate some bonding or just have fun, here are some ideas in the Lakeland area for daytime excursions.
July 19, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Boxes stacked on industrial shelves inside a fluorescent lit warehouse.
Business
How Polk County’s economy is changing
Learn where the local economy has increased and decreased over the past decade, plus where you can expect to see growth in Lakeland.
July 18, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Rahmani family poses together in matching Feasts of Persia t-shirts in front of their food truck.
Business
How Gianna Rahmani and her family started a full-time food truck
Gianna Rahmani of Feasts of Persia tells us how angel employment offered her the chance to chase her passion ahead of an Author Spotlight Night.
July 14, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Three men sit in a colorfully decorated room recording a podcast
Culture
Podcasts for Lakelanders to listen to + learn from
Put your headphones on and listen to one of these podcasts made by Lakelanders, for Lakelanders.
July 14, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Three colorful cocktails sitting on a bar
Food
We tried July’s Cocktails for Charity at The Back Nine
A dollar from the sale of these cocktails will be donated to a different charity each month.
July 6, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A burst of Red, White & Kaboom fireworks shoot off from the lake; downtown Lakeland's skyline reflects on the lake
Experience
Red, White & Kaboom returns: What you need to know
Fireworks, food trucks, live music, and more — here’s everything you need to know about this annual fireworks display on Lake Mirror. Did we mention there’s a Buena Market happening this year in the Catapult parking lot?
June 30, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A table full of grilled chicken, rice, and a quesadilla from Zarza Latin Food & Grill
Experience
Where to find lunch for $10 or less in Lakeland
Ready for your lunch break? Check out these 25 lunches from hearty salads to diner-style bites.
June 28, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL-UPS-June2023
Sponsored
A new, family-owned UPS Store is now open in North Lakeland
Sponsored by
Food
Beat the heat with a scoop from one of these ice cream shops in Lakeland
I scream, you scream, we all scream for — you get the point. Check out this list to find your perfect scoop, sandwich, sundae, or snowball.
June 28, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A latte from Hillcrest Coffee
Food
LALtoday is hosting Drink Up Month in July to celebrate local beverages and beverage makers
Throughout the month of July, LALtoday will be sharing content celebrating the beverage industry in the Lakeland community.
June 14, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Kristina + Jeremy Mockabee, LoveLakeland’s recently-named May 2023 CityMakers.
Sponsored
👋 Meet May’s LoveLakeland CityMaker
Sponsored by
Two men standing next to each other in a warehouse.
Sponsored
How Bank of Central Florida helped this local business owner build a quality business
Sponsored by
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