Lake Wales Startup Night Start Smart: Know Your Numbers + Get Found Online

Lake Wales Startup Night

Howard Davies and Jason Ai Wade - co-organizers

Featuring Hayden McCoy and Jason AI Wade

Starting a business takes more than a good idea. You need to understand what it costs, how to become profitable, and how customers will find you.

Join us for a free, practical evening designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, new business owners, and anyone considering turning an idea into a business.

Five Things Every New Business Owner Needs to Know

Hayden McCoy, CFE, EA, CTC, CFP®, of Synergy Wealthcare Solutions, will explain the essential financial decisions entrepreneurs should understand before launching or growing a business.

You'll learn how to:

• Identify startup costs and avoid unnecessary expenses.
• Understand pricing, fixed costs, and break-even points.
• Distinguish revenue, profit, and cash flow.
• Connect business goals to personal financial needs.
• Use AI prompts and worksheets to evaluate your business idea.

Bonus: Take-home workbook with financial exercises, planning worksheets, practical AI prompts, and free resources.

You don't need a big budget to start a business. You need a smart plan to build a profitable one.

Get Found Online: AI Search Visibility for Small Businesses

Jason AI Wade of BackTier will explain how customers discover businesses through Google, ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI-powered search tools.

Learn the fundamentals of SEO, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), including practical steps to help search engines and AI systems find, understand, and recommend your business.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026
6:00–8:00 PM | Check-in begins at 5:45 PM

The Thirsty Dragon
126 North 1st Street
Lake Wales, FL 33853

FREE admission | RSVP on Eventbrite

Free street parking. All ages welcome.

Whether you're exploring your first business idea or already operating a small business, come meet other local entrepreneurs and leave with practical tools you can use immediately.

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Time

Session

5:45 PM

Check-in and networking

6:00 PM

Welcome and introductions

6:10 PM

Hayden: Five Things Every New Business Owner Needs to Know

6:55 PM

Jason: Get Found Online with AI Search

7:25 PM

Questions, discussion, and networking

8:00 PM

Event concludes