SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
Central Florida SCORE
Ms. Becky Bywater
100 S. Kentucky Ave., Suite 230
Lakeland, FL 33801
website
(863) 284-5607
Join Date: 02/24/2015

ENGINEERS-SURVEYORS-PLANNERS
Hamilton Engineering & Surveying, Inc.
Mr. Alan L. Rayl, PE, PSM
310 E. Main St., Suite 4
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 784-3155
website
Join Date: 03/03/2015

COMMUNITY ACTION & HUMAN SERVICES
Leland Family Ministries
Ms. Elizabeth Combee
780 W. Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-0000
website
Join Date: 03/04/2015

HAIR SALONS
Oasis Salon and Day Spa
Ms. Christal Hall
565 W. Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 450-7945
website
Join Date: 03/09/2015

MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Orpheum Theatre and Academy of Performing Arts
Ms. Jenny Heidtman
Bartow, FL 33830
(718) 408-0653
website
Join Date: 03/12/2015

INSURANCE AGENCIES
LegalShield
Mr. Clive Harding
Winter Haven, FL 33884
(863) 324-1058
website
Join Date: 03/13/2015
 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FREE to Business Owners and those interested in starting a business, beginning Thursday, April 9th and continuing with the second Thursday of each month, 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Chamber: The popular SCORE Roundtable has come to Bartow! Join us the 2nd Thursday of every month as we explore various topics of interest to our members. On April 9th, the topic is: 3 THINGS TO MAKE YOUR CUSTOMER REMEMBER YOU! Create a customer base that remembers you and becomes loyal, repeat customers that you can count on. Watch for sign up information on facebook, also.
Chamber Business Roundtable is brought to you through the partnership between SCORE, Polk County SBA Center and the Chamber. To register, go to www.bartowchamber.com, or you may click here.
 

MARCH MEETINGS
Meetings are at the Chamber unless listed otherwise.

Tuesday, Mar. 24, 3:30 p.m.
    Executive Committee
Tuesday, Mar. 24, 4:00 p.m.
    Board of Directors
Wednesday, Mar. 25, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
    Professional Development
    Academy
    INSTANT INSIGHT with
    J. Lenora Bresler
    Polk State College Clear Springs
    Advanced Technology Center
    310 Technology Dr., Bartow
Thursday, Mar. 26, 3:30 p.m.
    Community Relations Committee
    Bartow City Hall
Tuesday, Mar. 31, 4:00 p.m.
    Chamber Golf Scramble
    Committee

The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, April 10, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Committee of 100 meetings are held at the Health and Life Center (old Hospital), 1239 E. Main Street. If you are interested in becoming a member of this prestigious group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at (863) 533-4196.

Event Date: April 10, 2015, Bartow Golf Course. Sponsorships available! Call Linda Holcomb for more information, 863-533-7125.

Want to find a retail or service business? Click here.

$25 per run (up to 35 words), call 533-7125 or email Virginia.

COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE perfect for small business client consultation and/or satellite office space in Polk County's county seat. Minutes from the courthouse and county administration buildings. The 40-600 square foot move in ready space is located at 1480 N. Broadway Ave., Suite C in Bartow. Rental rates $450-$650 per month. Interested parties should call (863) 559-3180 or (863) 559-0101.

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE Furnished: $2500 square feet; $250,000. 690 E. Davidson Street, Bartow, FL 33830. Former law office in excellent condition, only 6 blocks from the Polk County Courthouse. Large foyer and central work area with multiple high-end filing cabinets, surrounded by 6 private offices and library/conference room, with built-in bookshelves, kitchenette, 2 ceramic tile bathrooms, 1 shower stall, cable, and security system. Corner lot with plenty of off-street parking. Excellent location in County Seat for any enterprise dealing with state and local government. Contact Chuck Bentley at (863) 533-7733 or email Chuck.
 

MAY15, 2015: Fab Friday for our Chamber Young Professionals is coming up! If you are between the ages of 21 and 42 and are interested in networking with other young professionals, please come to the ENGAGE social, Fab Friday. For information about ENGAGE or if you'd like to sign up as a member, check out the Chamber's website, www.bartowchamber.com. FAB FRIDAY location TBA.

  Young leaders are coming forth! Last Friday I was honored to emcee a ribbon-cutting for two businesses belonging to dynamic young people of Bartow. These young leaders are involved in the community deeply, and are members of the ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals. As a matter of fact, they hosted the first ENGAGE social event of the year, FAB FRIDAY - which was a tremendous success. David and Kim Little of Crosswired Electric and Josh and Jessica Palmer of Palmer Insurance are vetted within the community as four very hardworking people who love Bartow; and who will do whatever it takes to make our City a better place to live.
That kind of caring includes getting involved, and networking. Josh and David are members of two of the Chamber's Leadership classes. They belong not only to the Chamber's young professional organization, but also to other groups outside of the Chamber. Josh is a Main Street Board member, as well as a Board member for the Chamber. I can see that the young people of Bartow are taking on leadership roles within the community and that makes me smile, because I know Bartow is in good hands.
Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015

Thanks to our presenting sponsor: A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure. Seen here (below) is DeBartolo COO Ed Kobel (guest speaker) with A-C-T CEO Rob Kincart.

Polk State Corporate College, Bartow Chamber
Partner for Professional Development Academy
 
Polk State College and the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce are partnering to create a series of seminars and classes for local professionals.
 
The Greater Bartow Chamber Professional Development Academy kicks off March 25 at 7:30 a.m. at the Polk State Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center, 310 Technology Drive in Bartow.
 
The initial installment of the Academy, “Instant Insight: 15 Questions to Great Relationships,” will be presented by J. Lenora Bresler, a speaker, author, trainer and coach who specializes in personal development.
Click here to sign up today!

WATSON CLINIC ANNOUNCES LECTURES FOR APRIL
      Watson Clinic is pleased to announce the following informative community lectures to be held in April. These events are free of charge, but seating is limited. Light refreshments will be provided. Please reserve your spot in advance using the RSVP as noted below or by visiting www.WatsonClinic.com/Events.
 Date: Saturday, April 11 at 10 AM                        Speaker: Raam S. Lakhani, MD
Topic: ‘Facial Rejuvenation Seminar’
Spring is the time for renewal! Let board-certified and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon Dr. Raam Lakhani, help you achieve the look of your dreams. During this informative presentation, he will address all surgical facial rejuvenation options, as well as the growing popularity of non-surgical treatments such as fillers and laser resurfacing. In addition, he will provide information on in-office mini facelifts and eyelid rejuvenation procedures.
Location: Bella Vista Building – 1st Floor Lobby, 1755 North Florida Avenue in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-904-6218

Date: Thursday, April 16 at 6 PM                        Speaker: Douglas Shenkman, MD
Topic: ‘A Knee Pain Talk to Help You Walk!’
During this informative presentation, Dr. Shenkman, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine expert, will discuss the latest options used to remedy knee pain, as well as a host of the most advanced surgical treatments, including minimally invasive surgery, computer-assisted procedures, and gender-specific knee replacements.  
Location: Main Clinic Library – 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-680-7881
 
Date: Tuesday, April 28 at 6 PM                        Speakers: James Belarmino, MD; David Bowers, MD; Jens Carlsen, DO; and James Wilson, MD
Topic: ‘Incontinence: Options To Improve Your Bladder Health’
Do you frequently experience an urge to urinate? Never feel the embarrassment of urinary incontinence again. Join Watson Clinic’s board-certified urologists as they review the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options used to combat this extremely common condition in both men and women.
Location: Main Clinic Library – 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-680-7446
 
YOUTH VILLA LUNCHEON IS MAY 20, 2015
The annual Youth Villa Luncheon will be held on May 20, 2015 at the Bartow Civic Center. Catered by Curly Tails, the cost is $10.00. per person. Rotary and other Civic Clubs have agreed to use the luncheon as their meeting date. Andy Bean, the PGA tour golfer is keynote speaker.  During the luncheon, long-time Villa Golf Tournament player Herb Dixon, who is 95 years old, will be honored. Dixon has played in the Villa every year except the year he was inducted into the African American Golfer Hall of Fame in 2012. Emcee is Sheriff Grady Judd. For more information, please call Karen B. Guffey, (863) 533-3131.
 

Had a great time at the FROST VAN DEN BOOM Fun Thursday on March 12.

It's hard to believe, but on Wednesday, May 5, 2015, we'll be celebrating 25 years of the Community-based public education effort, JUST SAY NO to drugs. If you'd like to donate to help fund this program, send your check payable to "JUST SAY NO" to CenterState Bank, ATTN: Anita Stasiak, 1375 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. Thank you for your consideration to help support this struggle against drugs!

Spath Jewelers became the first business to display the "IT PAYS TO BUY LOCAL" eight foot banner, which also let's shoppers know that Spath's is the Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month for March.
ABOUT SPATH JEWELERS:
"We have been blessed to have the opportunity to serve our wonderful customers and friends in Florida with our retail locations in Bartow and Valrico, Florida for a combined 38+ years," said owner Tina Spath. Spath Jewelers is an industry leader for repairs and custom design. Spaths has four jewelers on-site that have over 70 years of combined experienceassuring customers the highest degree of quality work. Spath's offers custom design work, insurance appraisals, on-site jewelry repair, expert watch repair, layaway and financing programs. Spath Jewelers also carries the finest selection of loose diamonds and fine jewelry, and features Bulova, Citizen, Pulsar, Private Label, Fossil, Seiko and reconditioned Rolex Watches at the lowest prices around. For more information, click here.

Florida SBDC Is Available At
Bartow Chamber On Apr. 9
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida, assists existing and emerging businesses in Polk County, through no-cost confidential business consulting, and low-cost training. Consultants can assist entrepreneurs in a variety of business topics, including: marketing, business certification, capital access, market diversification, developing strategic business plans, export services, and web optimization. A consultant will be at the Chamber on April 9, 2015 and available to Chamber Businesses. To schedule an appointment, visit www.bartowchamber.com and follow the links on the home page, or call (863) 678.4182, ext. 227.