DOING BUSINESS

Town's Online Business Directory: www.MiamiLakesMarketplace.com
The Town’s website and mobile app feature the Miami Lakes Marketplace, an online business directory, which is free to Miami Lakes businesses. Simply register your business at www.MiamiLakesMarketplace.com to manage your own page on the Town’s site to include photos of new merchandise, services or menu items, upcoming events, available job opportunities, and even include weekly coupons!

Be our guest at a monthly Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
We would also like to extend an invitation to attend a Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. Each month, the Town selects two new businesses to attend the monthly luncheon to sit at the Town’s designated table along with the Director of Communications & Community Affairs Director, Clarisell De Cardenas, and some of the Town’s elected officials. We encourage all new businesses to attend as it is a great opportunity to network and meet the Town’s elected officials.

Market your events on the Town's Community Calendar www.miamilakes-fl.gov/commcalendar
Promote your business events on the Town's Community Calendar hosted on the Town's website and social media pages. The Community calendar features events, meetings and programs held in Miami Lakes that are free, open to the public, and organized by local businesses and non-profit organizations. Click here for the submission form. 

Local Business Preference Program
The Town of Miami Lakes seeks to enhance contracting opportunities for local businesses. The Local Business Preference Program targets and gives preference to qualified local businesses in the procurement of goods and services. The local business preference ensures that all local businesses not only have an opportunity to participate in the procurement process, but gives them a competitive advantage in the selection process.
Qualifying businesses must meet the following criteria:

• Must be established and registered with the Town for at least 6 months
• 10% of workforce must reside in the Town
• Goods or services must be provided by local office (for companies with multiple offices)

For more information about doing business in Miami Lakes, please contact:
The Office of the Manager at (305) 364-6100

UPCOMING EVENTS 

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS NETWORKING MIXER

Team Work Makes the Dream Work! The previous Networking Mixers drew more than 50 attendees from local area businesses. Join this dynamic group of professionals and build your network.

The Town’s EDC focuses on not only promoting economic development in Miami Lakes by attracting new business but also ensuring that our current businesses and professionals remain pleased with the Town’s services.

If you are a local restaurant and interested in participating, or for more information about the Town’s Economic Development Committee, please contact Clarisell De Cardenas via email at decardenasc@miamilakes-fl.gov.

Support your community’s workforce and market your establishment!

PAST WORKSHOPS:

"Need Financing? Crowdfunding Workshop"

The Town of Miami Lakes and its Economic Development Committee hosted a Crowdfunding panel workshop cosponsored by the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and MICROscholarships Inc.

In 2015, it was estimated that worldwide over $34 billion was raised through crowdfunding. Crowdfunding (or crowdsourcing) is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people. Crowdfunding makes use of the easy accessibility of vast networks of people through social media and crowdfunding websites to bring investors and entrepreneurs together. Crowdfunding has the potential to increase entrepreneurship by expanding the pool of investors from whom funds can be raised beyond the traditional circle of owners, relatives and venture capitalists.

The workshop educated participants about the federal and state regulations behind the market’s functionality. In addition to crowdfunding, the panel discussed other forms of investment such as accredited investors, and the importance of a business plan and its role in obtaining investment.
The workshop panelists included:
Althea Harris, Small Business Administration
Senen Garcia, SG Law Group
Raju Mohandas, Founder of BridgePoint Financial Group
Orlando Espinosa, Co-founder of MICROscholarships Inc. and Emineo Media

For the presentation, click here.

"How to do Business with Miami-Dade County”

The Town of Miami Lakes and its Economic Development Committee hosted a free business workshop presented by Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr.’s Office, in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Internal Services Department which oversees Procurement Management for the County.

Miami-Dade County awards millions of dollars in contracts for purchase of goods and services each year. Doing business with the County is now easier than ever. Miami Lakes businesses were invited to learn about the streamlined operations, simplified procedures, and required documentation via the new online vendor registration portal. 

For more information, please email lborjes@miamidade.gov or contact Commissioner Bovo’s district office at 305-820-8424.

"Access to Capital"

The Town of Miami Lakes and its Economic Development Committee hosted an “Access to Capital” business workshop on Thursday, October 20th in Town Hall Council Chambers.

Cosponsored by the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the program began with our keynote speaker Althea Harris of the SBA (Small Business Administration).

Attendees then had the opportunity to meet one on one with local financial institutions and lenders.

BankUnited
JetStream Federal Credit Union
Linedman Group
Popular Community Bank
Seacoast National Bank
TD Bank
US Century Bank

Social Media and Marketing 

The workshop led by Robert Rodriguez, Senior Instructor of Technology Services for the Miami Association of REALTORS was geared to teach entrepreneurs the importance of building their brand online using social media to increase exposure and generate leads. Workshop highlights include understanding each social media platform, their target market, and the most fitting channel to reach their niche.

For the presentation, click here 

CareerSource South Florida

Workshop held in partnership with CareerSource South Florida, the statewide workforce policy and investment board. Their partners include the State's Department of Economic Opportunity, 24 local workforce development boards and 100 career centers throughout Florida. Together, they help connect businesses with the talented workforce and training needed to succeed and grow.

CareerSource South Florida educated businesses about their flexible, business-driven grant programs to help companies advance and grow their workforce and remain competitive.

March 30th Workshop with SCORE: Simple Steps to Grow Your Business

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than fifty years.

SCORE’s Simple Steps to Grow Your Business provides a road map to help you achieve the goals you have set for the growth of your business. For the complete presentation, click here.

Youth Employment Initiative

The Town of Miami Lakes, through its Youth Activities Task Force and Economic Development Committee, hosted a High School Student Job Fair on Saturday, April 30th, 2016 at the Mary Collins Community Center. The event was intended to bring the community together by matching local talent with local businesses.