A panel of 10 Detroit-based entrepreneurs and professionals at the
Detroit Business Festival talked about a lot of things concerning doing business in the Motor City, such as social media, taking risks, finding seed capital. But one subject underlined the entire discussion when it came to doing business in the city, opportunity.
"You're in the best place to get in and rebuild the city," says Rufus Bartell, one of the moderators and owner of
Simply Casual and R.B.I. Marketing in the city's University District neighborhood. "Detroit doesn't care what you look like or where you come from."
Bartell shared the panel in the
Russell Industrial Center's main art gallery with Slows co-owner Phil Cooley,
Curve Detroit chief troublemaker Charlie Whoolberg, International Black Business Expo founder & CEO Ken Harris,
Ask Blanks! Media and Marketing Solutions owner Ken Harrel,
WDET social media manager Michelle Srbonovich, Detroit author and entrepreneur
Edward Foxworth,
Russell Bazaar director Marty West and University of Detroit-Mercy business professor
Mike Bernacchi.
The panel spoke at length about maximizing busiess opportunities through social media marketing, data collection, redeveloping the city's built environment and building communities in Detroit's neighborhoods. The spirited conversation focused mainly on inspiring people to turn their passions into businesses that enhance their communities and build relationships with an increasing number of successful people.
"Everything is relationship marketing," Bernacchi says. "If you can't make it there you won't make it."
Source: Mike Bernacchi, business professor for University of Detroit Mercy and Rufus Bartell, owner of Simply Casual and R.B.I. Marketing
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at
SEMichiganStartup.com.
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