Episode Notes: Episode 4, “No Man’s Land”
In this episode of Elevate Polk, Chrissanne Long and Dan Thumberg dig into the phrase “No Man’s Land” and what it reveals about Polk County’s identity, reputation, and small business ecosystem.
The conversation begins with a personal reflection on growing up in Polk County and the assumptions people have carried about the area for decades. From outdated stereotypes to the way Polk is often described as being “between Tampa and Orlando,” Chrissanne and Dan explore how those perceptions still influence the way people outside the county view our talent, businesses, and opportunities.
The episode then shifts into the real issue: Polk County is not lacking resources, talent, ambition, or entrepreneurial energy. The problem is that those resources can be difficult to find, difficult to navigate, and not always organized in a way that helps business owners know where to turn next.
Chrissanne and Dan discuss how surrounding communities have created more unified access points for entrepreneurs, while Polk often sits in the middle of larger regional systems. That can leave local business owners unsure whether they belong in the Tampa Bay resource network, the Central Florida resource network, or somewhere else entirely.
A major theme of the episode is the need to move beyond accidental connections. Business owners should not have to rely on luck, networking events, or being in the right room at the right time to find the support they need. Polk County has an opportunity to build a more intentional, visible, and connected entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The episode also references the 2023 resource mapping work done in Lakeland with SourceLink and local entrepreneurial resource partners. That process revealed that entrepreneurs are not the only ones struggling with visibility. Resource organizations themselves often face the same challenges around funding, labor, awareness, and connection.
Ultimately, this episode is a call to stop accepting “No Man’s Land” as Polk County’s identity. Instead, Chrissanne and Dan challenge listeners to think about what it would take to create a clearer front door for entrepreneurs, stronger collaboration among resource providers, and a countywide system that helps small businesses find their way.
Topics Discussed
Polk County’s outdated reputation and how outside perceptions still shape opportunity
Why “between Tampa and Orlando” can sometimes feel like an advantage and sometimes feel like a gap
The difference between having resources and having resources that are easy to find
Why small business owners often struggle to know where to turn for help
How surrounding communities have organized business resources more clearly
The role of Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs)
The challenge of visibility for both entrepreneurs and resource providers
What “Beyond Collisions” means and why chance connections are not enough
The 2023 Lakeland resource mapping project with SourceLink
How ecosystem building can create stronger pathways for entrepreneurs
The importance of creating a more systematic approach to small business support in Polk County
Central Florida Business Expo as a place where business owners, resource partners, and regional leaders can connectResources Mentioned in the Episode
You can link to these in the show notes:
Episode sponsor and resource mentioned at the beginning of the show.
Mentioned during the opening conversation.
Central Florida Business Expo
Mentioned as part of the broader effort to connect business owners, exhibitors, sponsors, and resource partners across the I-4 Corridor.
Beyond Collisions: How to Build Your Entrepreneurial Infrastructure
The book Chrissanne references when discussing the need to move beyond accidental connections and toward a more intentional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Author referenced in the episode: Maria Meyers
https://www.joinsourcelink.com/explore/beyond-collisions-book/
2023 Lakeland Entrepreneurial Ecosystem / Resource Mapping Report
Referenced as the report that came out of the Lakeland-focused resource mapping conversations with local entrepreneurial support organizations.
REPORT:
https://resources.polkbizhub.com/entreprereneurial-asset-mapping-report
SOURCEFINDER - Matrix/Graphic
https://resources.polkbizhub.com/2023-lakeland-sourcefinder
