Founder's Guide

Part 27 of 27

Build Here. Connect Everywhere.

A startup ecosystem does not begin with a building. It begins when capable people who are trying to build things can find one another. A teenager writing software. A retired executive. A restaurant owner. A contractor. A designer. A lawyer. A developer. A salesperson. A manufacturer. A person with an idea scribbled on a napkin.

Put enough of those people in the same room often enough and interesting things happen.

Lake Wales does not need thousands of founders. It needs enough builders, mentors, customers and connectors to create density. Then the internet eliminates much of the remaining distance.

A company can start at a table in downtown Lake Wales. Its first mentor might be in Lakeland. Its accelerator might be in Tampa. Its developer might be in Gainesville. Its investor might be in Miami or California. Its product might launch globally. Its largest customer might be in London. And its founder can still be back at The Thirsty Dragon that night.

That is the opportunity.

Build something here. Then see how far it can go.

Jason Wade is the founder of BackTier and host of the AI Visibility Podcast. His work focuses on AI Visibility: how AI systems discover, understand, cite and recommend companies and people. Learn more at JasonWade.com and BackTier.com. Bio video.

This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. It is independent and is not a City of Lake Wales or Polk County publication. Confirm requirements with the agency before you file.

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