I Am Lakeland®

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Shaq Cozart, the founder of UpDraft Marketing. Shaq shares his expertise in digital marketing and his passion for helping small businesses in Lakeland and beyond elevate their brands through targeted, measurable ad campaigns.

Shaq discusses his transition from Virginia to Florida and how his background in communications led him to launch UpDraft Marketing. He explains the power of digital advertising across platforms like Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google, and even popular streaming services like Hulu and Pluto. A major focus of the conversation is how digital marketing allows small businesses to compete on a national scale without needing a massive corporate budget.

Whether you are a solo entrepreneur or a growing company with 50 employees, this episode provides actionable advice on how to get more "eyeballs" on your brand and ensure every marketing dollar counts. 75

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Kaylin Fowler, the co-owner of Kaylin’s Bakeshoppe, a local gourmet cookie business that started as a happy accident. Kaylin shares her "reboot" story—from being a full-time teacher to launching a successful home-based bakery while nine months pregnant with her first child.

What began as a simple request for a baby shower cake has blossomed into a thriving business known for its massive, half-pound gourmet cookies. Kaylin discusses the "science" behind their perfection, revealing that she and her husband (a fellow teacher and co-owner) tested over 40 different versions of their signature chocolate chip cookie to get the base just right.

Whether you're a fan of local entrepreneurs or just have a major sweet tooth, this episode is a delicious look at one of Lakeland’s rising culinary stars. 74

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Becky Yohe, the founder and owner of Art Centric Studio, and Melissa Garcia, a lead instructor and the studio’s soon-to-be new owner. As the studio celebrates its 10th summer in Lakeland, Becky and Melissa share an exciting update about the future of this beloved creative hub.

Becky reflects on the studio's journey, which began a decade ago as a way to provide high-quality fine arts education to the local homeschool community and after-school students. What started as a passion project in a small, affordable space has grown into a community staple serving over 1,700 local families. Becky shares her bittersweet but exciting news: she has accepted a full-time position as an art teacher at Lakeland Christian School, where she will help expand their arts program.

Rather than closing the doors, the studio is entering a new chapter under the leadership of Melissa Garcia. Melissa, a talented artist and fellow Lakeland resident, discusses her commitment to maintaining the studio's successful formula while finding new ways to engage older students.

Whether you have a budding artist at home or are looking for a creative way to keep your kids engaged this summer, this episode highlights why Art Centric Studio remains a vital part of Lakeland’s artistic landscape. 73

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with John-Michael Elliott and Richard Eijo of the Elliott & Eijo Group at S&D Real Estate Services. This dynamic duo shares their fascinating journey from personal real estate agents to partners in one of Lakeland’s most successful property management and real estate firms.

Richard kicks off the conversation with his unique "reboot" story, detailing his transition from a high-stakes career as a chef in luxury hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Eden Rock to the world of real estate. He explains how the intense focus on hospitality and customer service he learned in the culinary world became the foundation for their business philosophy today.

John-Michael discusses his own roots in the industry, starting in 2000 and navigating the extreme market fluctuations of the mid-2000s. The two describe how they "united their powers" during the 2007 market crash, finding a niche in short sales and eventually property management by helping clients who were "accidental landlords."

Whether you're a property owner, a first-time home buyer, or someone interested in the local real estate market, this episode offers expert insights and a testament to the power of a strong business partnership built on trust and a shared love for Lakeland. 72

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with local "Hometown Hero" Becca Monopoli and Jason Smith, the Director of Operations for City Garage Motorsports (CGM). Together, they discuss Becca’s exciting rise into the ARCA Menards Series, the premier "minor league" for NASCAR.

Becca, a Lakeland native, shares her lifelong passion for racing—a family tradition that finally saw her behind the wheel at age 21. With 95 wins and 20 championships already under her belt in Legend cars and Pro trucks, she is now taking on the national stage as one of the few female drivers in the ARCA series. She provides a thrilling look at what it’s like to hit 174 mph at Daytona, describing the intense physical sensations of banking turns at full throttle.

Jason Smith explains the mission of City Garage Motorsports, which is based right here in Lakeland on Combee Road. The team is dedicated to representing Polk County on a national level, with their race car, "Sadie" (named after a local 8-year-old racer), set to compete at major tracks like Indianapolis Raceway Park and Bristol Motor Speedway.

Whether you're a lifelong racing fan or just want to cheer on a local athlete making it to the big leagues, this episode is a testament to the talent and community spirit found in Lakeland. 71

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Dwayne Hughes, the founder of Poppin Toffee, a Lakeland-based gourmet butter toffee popcorn company. Dwayne shares his inspiring "reboot" story—how he transitioned from a 20-year career in luxury car sales to launching his own business after a series of life-changing events, including being terminated during the pandemic.

Driven by a refusal to let anyone else have the power to fire him again, Dwayne returned to a business idea he had over a decade ago. He spent hundreds of hours in his garage—braving 100-degree Florida heat—to perfect his from-scratch recipes. The result is a premium product made with all-natural ingredients like real butter and sugar, avoiding the "corporate" look of mass-produced snacks.

A key highlight of the conversation is Poppin Toffee's unique handmade process. Unlike most commercial brands that use industrial tumblers to round off popcorn, Dwayne and his team separate the popcorn by hand at over 300 degrees. This preserves the natural integrity and shape of the kernels, ensuring a perfect, delicate crunch in every bite.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a fan of local gourmet treats, this episode offers a look at the passion and perseverance behind one of Lakeland’s sweetest success stories. 70

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Ashley Lloyd, the Outreach Director for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida (BCFCF). Ashley shares her powerful personal journey, from being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2021 to dedicating her life to helping other women in the same shoes.

The Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida is a local organization that provides critical non-medical financial assistance to patients undergoing treatment. Ashley explains how the foundation steps in to pay for essential living expenses like mortgages, electric bills, car payments, and insurance, allowing patients to focus on their health rather than the stress of mounting bills. A unique and heartwarming aspect of their work is the Children's Fund, which provides $200 per month for every child in the patient's home to help with normalcy, from daycare to school supplies.

Ashley emphasizes that unlike many national organizations, BCFCF ensures that every dollar raised stays in Central Florida to directly help neighbors in need. Whether you are looking to volunteer your "time, talent, or treasure," or if you are a patient in need of support, this episode is an inspiring look at how Lakeland takes care of its own. 69

In this episode of the I Am Lakeland podcast, host Don Burns sits down with Karolyne Roberts, the reigning Miss Lakeland USA, for an inspiring conversation about faith, purpose, and community service. Karolyne, a mother of four and an accomplished author of ten books, shares how recent changes in the Miss Universe system—lifting age and marital status restrictions—allowed her to pursue her dream and make history as a wife and mother in the pageant world.

The discussion highlights Karolyne’s deep commitment to uplifting women through her organization, The Writer’s Retreat. She explains her platform, "Be Heard and Be Healed," which uses guided writing as a tool for processing trauma and finding one’s voice. Karolyne also previews her upcoming participation in Lakeland Women’s Day at the RP Funding Center, where she will speak about the strength found in embracing emotions and lead a special "Writer’s Brunch" for local women.

Beyond her writing and pageant work, Karolyne is a dedicated community advocate. She shares her involvement with several local nonprofits, including One More Child, where she creates care packages for survivors of trafficking and single mothers, and Girls Inc. and Campfire Sunshine, organizations focused on building confidence in the next generation. As a small business owner herself, she also discusses her role as a mentor with SCORE, providing free guidance to fellow entrepreneurs in the Lakeland area.

Don and Karolyne also connect over their shared faith and their mutual passion for spreading positivity in Lakeland. Karolyne even reveals her future goals of writing children's books and starting her own podcast to provide a platform for other women to share their stories. This episode is a must-watch for anyone looking for a boost of motivation and a reminder that "your dreams don't have an expiration date." 67

In this episode of the I Am Lakeland podcast, host Don Burns talks with Josue Lopez, the young entrepreneur behind Hawk Drone. Josue shares his exciting journey of turning a passion for drone technology into a professional business, providing a unique "Hawkeye view" for clients throughout the Lakeland area.

As a licensed drone pilot, Josue explains the importance of official FAA certification for commercial work, moving beyond simple recreational flying. He discusses his current work with realtors—capturing stunning aerial views of properties, surrounding landscapes, and neighborhood features—and his vision for expanding into large-scale events like weddings and festivals. Josue even brings a drone to the set, comparing its high-tech gimbal and camera to "a little eyeball on a turtle," and shares his plans to invest in advanced equipment like the Mavic 3 Pro and thermal imaging drones for construction and utility inspections.

A graduate of the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA) right here in Lakeland, Josue credits his technical training for his precision in the air. He discusses the "art" of drone piloting, explaining how manual skill is often superior to AI for specific cinematic shots like perfect circles or "figure eights" around a subject. The conversation also touches on the futuristic side of the industry, from light shows at Sun 'n Fun to the potential for autonomous delivery and passenger drones.

Josue also gives a special shout-out to his mother, Kelly Fisher, a local business coach at Catapult Lakeland, who has been instrumental in helping him refine his marketing and social media presence. Whether you need a fresh perspective for a real estate listing or want to capture a community event from above, Josue’s dedication to accuracy and customer satisfaction makes him a standout local creator. 66

In this episode of the I Am Lakeland podcast, host Don Burns is joined by Luana Baughman, the passionate owner and baker behind Nana LuLu’s Cookies. Luana shares the heartwarming story of how a hobby she’s perfected over 20 years turned into a thriving post-retirement business. After a dedicated 25-year career as a Captain with the Tampa Fire Department, Luana embraced her "inner entrepreneur," proving it’s never too late to start a new chapter.

The conversation highlights Luana’s unique approach to baking. While she relies on a tried-and-true base recipe, she isn't afraid to experiment with bold flavors, such as lavender and white chocolate (which earned her a third-place trophy at the Cookie Carnival in Munn Park) and even guava and cream cheese to honor her Cuban roots. Luana also opens up about living with rheumatoid arthritis, explaining how the excitement of a new cookie order provides her with a positive focus and a sense of community connection.

Listeners will get an inside look at Luana’s "Cottage Food" operation, from her meticulous research on ingredients to her clever tip of eating cookies straight from the freezer for a unique texture. She also emphasizes the importance of community support, sharing how she frequently refers customers to other local bakers for items she doesn't specialize in, like decorated sugar cookies.

Whether you're a fan of classic chocolate chip or looking for something more adventurous like "Oatmeal Scotchy" or "Chocolate Mint Espresso," Luana’s dedication to quality and her "take a chance" attitude are truly inspiring. You can catch her at local events like Lakeland’s First Friday or order your own batch of treats at nanaluluscookies.com. 65