In downtown Detroit, the Cambria Hotel was buzzing with activity as hundreds of small business owners gathered for the Detroit Means Business Summit. The annual conference, held on Monday (May 6), provided entrepreneurs with access to a range of resources to help them navigate and grow their business platforms.
Robyn Childers, Co-Founder and President of Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness, emphasized the importance of staying informed about the growth, revitalization, and expansion happening in Detroit. Small businesses play a vital role in the city, employing more than half of its population. The summit aimed to ensure that these businesses not only survive but thrive in the community.
The organizers of the Detroit Means Business Summit highlighted the opportunity for small business owners to connect face-to-face with leaders from various organizational resources. Entrepreneurs can network and find mentors to help them succeed in their ventures. Dr. Marlo Rencher, President of Detroit Means Business, emphasized the abundance of free or low-cost resources available in the city that many businesses may not be aware of.
Detroit Means Business introduced a new technology called Buktu, an app that uses AI to help entrepreneurs navigate resources and information easily. They also launched Black Bottom Billions, a revenue-based game that fosters friendly competition among entrepreneurs, paying tribute to Detroit’s Historic Black Bottom district. The summit awarded several grants to small businesses in attendance, further supporting their growth and success.
For small business owners like Jonathan Farley, attending the summit was an opportunity to gather valuable information to sustain and expand his business. Farley, owner of Access Point Towing and Transport, expressed his hope of receiving the necessary information to improve the longevity of his business.
