19. Lake Wales Is a Node, Not an Island

Do not try to recreate every capability locally. Use Lake Wales for density and relationships. Then connect outward.

The closest serious founder resource is Catapult Lakeland, about 30 miles away at 502 E. Main Street. It runs Workspace, Kitchen and Makerspace incubators and offers mentorship, community, equipment and funding opportunities for businesses built to grow.

For specialized investors, accelerators, technical talent, university resources, customers and industry events, use Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville and Miami. You do not have to relocate because somebody useful lives sixty miles away. Closer in, Warner University is in Lake Wales, Webber International University is in Babson Park, and Florida Polytechnic is in Lakeland.

The model is:

Lake Wales → Lakeland → Tampa / Orlando / Gainesville → Miami → Internet → World

Start locally. Connect wherever necessary.