Twitter Founder Visits Detroit To Connect Small Biz, Neighborhoods
DETROIT (WWJ) - Talk about something to "Tweet" about!
Twitter creator Jack Dorsey paid a visit to downtown Detroit Tuesday night to host a free forum with local business owners designed to encourage economic growth in the city.
"The power of small businesses; the power of the neighborhood is truly real," Dorsey told the audience. "It's being realized more and more, and part of this realization is up here on the stage. The other thing that I think is interesting about this particular panel is it's all women. Thirty-percent of small businesses in America are led and founded by women, so it's a movement we want to see more of."
Speaking before a packed house inside of historic St. Andrews Hall, Dorsey - a small business owner turned billionaire in his own right - brought his six-city "Let's Talk" business roundtable to the Motor City. The goal as he put it: to get conversations going among small business owners.
"We believe if we strengthen the fabric between sellers, we can actually strengthen the national economy."
Among the homegrown panelists sharing their success stories was Rachel Lutz, who recently opened the Peacock Room, a women's boutique in Midtown.
""I had about $1,500 left to my name," Lutz said. "Opening a small business in Detroit was the best decision I ever made in my life."
Dorsey is also co-founder and CEO of Square. Square describes itself as a "company (that) began with a free credit card reader for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, allowing businesses to accept credit cards anywhere, anytime, for one low, transparent rate. Square now offers a full suite of hardware and software tools including Square Register, Square Market, Square Wallet, and Square Stand. Founded in 2009, and headquartered in San Francisco, Square is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Japan."
Square kicked off the "Let's Talk" business series in St. Louis and will also move on to Minneapolis, Toronto, New Orleans, and the Bronx.
