I Am Lakeland®

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by LJ Brock, the founder of Lakeland Comedy and a rising star in the local stand-up scene. LJ shares his journey from being a fan of comedy legends like Sinbad and Chris Rock to taking the stage himself during the pandemic.

What started as a personal challenge encouraged by his wife has grown into a mission to build a consistent, thriving comedy community right here in Lakeland. LJ discusses the "trial by fire" nature of stand-up, the science of reading a room, and the importance of supporting local venues.

Whether you're an aspiring comic looking for your first five minutes or a fan wanting to know where to find the best laughs in town, LJ’s passion for the craft and his commitment to the Lakeland creative community are truly infectious. 85

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Monica Young, a mortgage lender with Legacy Mutual Mortgage. Monica shares her wealth of knowledge about the mortgage industry and her dedication to helping individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership in Florida and beyond.

The primary focus of the conversation is the Hometown Heroes program. Monica explains how this state-funded initiative has recently received an additional $100 million in funding to assist first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs. She clarifies a major misconception: even if you’ve owned a home before, you may still qualify as a "first-time" buyer if you haven't owned property in the last three years.

Whether you are a veteran, a first-time homebuyer, or looking to invest in real estate, Monica’s expertise and passion for community growth provide a valuable roadmap for navigating today’s housing market. 84

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Anissa Labrador, the founder and creative force behind Home Bliss Interiors. Anissa shares her inspiring transition from a 25-year career in education to following her lifelong passion for residential interior design, which she officially launched in 2020.

Anissa’s design philosophy is centered on creating "your version of bliss" within the home. She discusses how her background in education and technology has given her a unique edge, allowing her to utilize advanced design software to help clients visualize their spaces before a single piece of furniture is moved. Her approach is highly collaborative, focusing on the optimal "flow" and function of a room while honoring the personal stories and heirlooms that make a house a home.

Whether you're a busy professional needing a full-service transformation or a DIYer looking for a three-hour expert consultation to jumpstart your project, Anissa’s passion for "blissful" living offers something for every homeowner. 83

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Donyea “Star” Tollie, the founder and principal designer of Rejuvenation Home Studio. Based in Bartow, Star’s boutique interior design firm specializes in residential and commercial spaces, bringing a unique philosophy that merges aesthetics with self-care and mental well-being.

Star shares her fascinating journey from originally studying to be a pediatrician to discovering her true passion for design after seeing her twin sister’s projects. She explains her core belief: "Take care of your space so that your space can take care of you." For Star, interior design isn't just about "fluff"—it’s a science involving color psychology, lighting, and the five senses to create environments that rejuvenate and elevate the soul.

Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or looking for a full-scale home renovation, Star’s infectious passion for creating functional, beautiful, and "soulful" spaces offers plenty of inspiration. 82

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Cynthia Antonyants, the founder and owner of Race Paws LLC, a unique mobile dog gym serving the Lakeland and Polk County area. Cynthia shares her journey of turning her lifelong passion for dogs into an innovative business that brings a climate-controlled exercise solution right to her clients' front doors.

Inside her customized bus, Cynthia has installed dog-powered treadmills, providing a safe and effective way for pups to burn off energy. She explains how the service is particularly beneficial during the sweltering Florida summers, where hot pavement can burn a dog's paws in less than a minute. Whether it's for high-energy breeds, dogs needing a confidence boost, or busy owners who work long hours, Race Paws offers a convenient alternative to traditional walks.

Whether you have a high-energy rescue or a pup that needs to stay active while you’re at work, Cynthia’s entrepreneurial spirit and love for animals shine through in this conversation. 81

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Joe, the founder of Ladies of Lakeland, along with several board members and current participants, including Stephanie, Kim, Ashley, and Phoenix. Joe, who owns Woodland Salon in South Lakeland, shares his inspiration for starting the organization: a desire to empower and highlight the successful, hardworking women he saw every day in his community.

The conversation explores how Ladies of Lakeland has evolved from its inception in 2018 into a powerful collective that partners with local charities. The organization focuses on mentorship, professional development, and community service, selecting five women each year to lead these efforts and experience a transformative journey of personal and professional growth.

Whether you're a professional looking to expand your network, a newcomer wanting to find your "tribe," or a community member interested in local philanthropy, this episode captures the heart of what makes Lakeland such a supportive and collaborative place to live and work. 80

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns sits down with Nicole of Hot Mod Agency and Grant Sparks of Spark Sites to discuss their latest venture: The Influencer Academy. Together, they are redefining what it means to be a "creator" in Central Florida and showing local entrepreneurs how to harness the power of social media for real business growth.

Nicole shares her mission of helping families create supplemental income through content creation, while Grant brings his expertise in entrepreneurship coaching and web development. They discuss the common struggle small businesses face with traditional, expensive marketing and explain why influencer marketing is a more accessible and effective alternative.

Whether you're a budding creator looking to monetize your passion or a business owner curious about how to work with local influencers, this episode offers a roadmap for navigating the "omniscience age" of digital marketing. 79

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by Ann Rivera (AKA Mimi), the founder and owner of Mimi Italian Ice. Ann shares the heart behind her Lakeland-based shop, which specializes in homemade, fresh fruit Italian ice and dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan ice cream.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Ann explains how she and her husband missed the authentic "water ice" texture they grew up with. This nostalgia, combined with their own dietary needs, led them to create a business where everyone—including those with Celiac disease or dairy allergies—can enjoy a premium frozen treat without compromise.

Whether you're looking for a refreshing treat on a hot afternoon or a safe dessert option for a restricted diet, this episode showcases the passion and care that Ann pours into every scoop. 78

In this episode of "I Am Lakeland," host Don Burns is joined by the founders of Easy Revenue Solutions, Rey and April, along with their daughter, Jade. Rey, a veteran of the 82nd Airborne and a former nurse, and April, who has a background in dental hygiene, share their mission to save local private practices from the growing burden of administrative errors and physician burnout.

The duo explains how many private medical and dental practices are forced to close or join large corporate groups because of "human error" in billing and compliance. With their partnership with NextGen, Easy Revenue Solutions provides a powerful software and service package designed to streamline the back-end of medical offices. Their system aims to reduce denied insurance claims from a typical 30% average down to just 2% or less, significantly increasing a practice's profitability and efficiency.

Whether you're a healthcare provider looking to reclaim your time and revenue or just interested in how local entrepreneurs are using technology to solve big problems, this episode is full of valuable insights. 77

In this episode of “I Am Lakeland,” host Don Burns is joined by Craig Sacra, the talented artist and craftsman behind Crestwood Cuts. Craig shares his journey from being a traditional pen-and-paper artist to a master woodworker specializing in custom furniture made from rare and exotic hardwoods.

Craig explains his fascination with materials like Black Limba, Zebrawood, and Canarywood—timeless mediums that allow him to blend artistic vision with functional utility. He describes his process as a true collaboration, sitting down with clients for free consultations to sketch out designs that fit their specific needs and home styles. Whether it’s converting a china cabinet into a modern wet bar or creating an L-shaped desk with custom-sized drawers for specific tools, Craig’s focus is on “artfully inspired” pieces that are built to last for generations.

Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind statement piece for your home or a meaningful gift that will never “wilt,” Craig’s passion for his craft is evident in every project he takes on. 76