Connect With Experts & Get Inspired : Time To Turn Your Entrepreneurial Dreams Into A Thriving Business

This transformative panel discussion brings together successful business leaders who've turned visions into reality. Whether you're at the idea stage or looking to scale your existing business, you'll gain actionable insights and strategies for 2025 and beyond.

What You'll Learn
The Spark of an Idea - Discover proven methods for identifying viable business opportunities and validating your innovative concepts in today's market.

Market Validation & Research - Learn essential strategies for market analysis, customer research, and product-market fit validation.

Funding & Resources - Explore diverse funding options, from bootstrapping to investor capital, and learn how to secure the resources needed for growth.

Building a Brand & Strategy - Master the fundamentals of creating a compelling brand identity and developing a robust business strategy for 2025 and beyond.

Growth & Scaling - Gain insights into effective team management, operational scaling, and market expansion strategies.

Sustaining Success - Learn how to maintain momentum and adapt to changing market conditions while building a lasting business legacy.

Meet the Panel
MODERATOR: Julie Guy - 101.5 Lite FM
Aurelia Edwards - Founder Standard Measure Technologies
Ron Green - Resource Entertainment Group
Patrick Utter - Shenanigans

For tickets and event information, visit: https://www.sparkhollywoodfl.com/event/from-idea-to-empire-2025-launch-your-spark-8/register

SPARK, Hollywood, Florida was launched in 2017 through a unique partnership between the City of Hollywood and the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with support from entrepreneurially focused organizations. SPARK aims to bridge the gap between investors, businesses, and entrepreneurs. SPARK drives innovation by facilitating opportunities for the entrepreneur community that will catapult them forward to achieve their vision of the future.

Save the Date: SPARK Tank Annual Pitch Competition – May 22nd! More details coming soon!
For more information, please visit: www.sparkhollywoodfl.com.

Centennial Celebration Events This Weekend

Hollywood History Hunt and Disco Ball: Saturday, February 22nd
Get into the groove... It's 1974 again at HHS as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary Jubilee! Join your neighbors for the first-ever Disco Ball, a 1970s-themed pop-up street festival, plus the inaugural History Hunt, a historic team scavenger hunt. Funds raised from these events will support our education and preservation programs. All ages are welcome & Free Venue Parking at the Hammerstein House - 1520 Polk Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020.

History Hunt: 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Get ready for the team scavenger History Hunt, where you'll explore historic locations and solve clues to reach your next destination, across all six districts of Hollywood! The check in for the scavenger hunt begins at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall, and the race begins at 4:00 p.m. After finding their way to the final site, the teams will go to the Hammerstein House to join the Disco Ball. Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony during the ball. The History Hunt is free, but purchase of Disco Ball tickets is required to participate.

The Disco Ball: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Come disco dance with us on an LED dance floor while DJ Le Spam spins vinyl tracks from his Retro Volkswagen Bus. If you need a break, relax in our backyard tropical oasis, sip on your drink of choice, and let the kids enjoy a mini history hunt around the Hammerstein House grounds. Specialty wares from local vendors, along with food, wine, beer and commemorative merchandise, will be available for purchase.

Awards, Raffle & Tours
Awards Ceremony, announcement of the winners of the History Hunt & raffle prizes starts at 7:00 p.m. *Limited-Capacity Hammerstein House Tours at 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.*

Tickets & Sign-Up
Prices are as Follows, Adults: $15 + a $2.85 Fee, Children (under 12): $5 + a $2.18 Fee. Purchase your Disco Ball tickets at: https://hollywoodhistoricalsociety.org/disco.html

Fill out the Registration form to sign-up for the History Hunt at: https://hollywoodhistoricalsociety.org/disco.html

Please note - Purchase of Disco Ball tickets are required to participate in the History Hunt & all participants will need to sign a liability waiver upon check-in.

Chris Hixon Memorial 5K Run & Walk: Saturday, February 22nd
The Chris Hixon Memorial 5K, will honor the memory of Chris Hixon; a friend, Coach, Father and great human being. All proceeds will support the Chris Hixon Athletic Scholarship Foundation.

Christopher Hixon was a victim of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the tragic events that took place on February 14th, 2018. He was gunned down while running towards the shooter in order to stop him from taking more innocent lives and despite his wounds continued to stand guard, until police arrived, after the shooter had departed in case he returned. Chris was an Athletic Director, Coach, and Campus Monitor during his 20+ year career within the Broward County Public Schools of Blanche Ely High School, South Broward High School, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Additionally, Chris Hixon was a Retired U.S. Navy Machinist Mate First Class having served 27 honorable years, 5 active duty and 22 reserve, in support of our nation. His love for his student-athletes was well known throughout his career as he always went the extra mile to ensure they were taken care of. Therefore, to continue his legacy and continue to take care of student-athletes they created a scholarship in his name for student-athletes at the three schools he worked at.

For more information about the run, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Hollywood/ChrisHixonMemorialRun

Mardi Gras in Historic Downtown: Sunday, February 23rd
“Let the Good Times Roll” as South Florida’s largest Mardi Gras celebration returns to Downtown Hollywood on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. This family friendly event will feature a 2nd Line Processional, live music and entertainment, plenty of beads, artisan vendors, children’s activities such as inflatables and face painting. The main event takes place along Hollywood Boulevard’s Business District, a few minutes walk from Arts Park.