Entrepreneurs gather for annual business conference to support small businesses in Detroit

DETROIT – The halls were busy at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Detroit as hundreds of small business owners gathered for the Detroit Means Business Summit.

The annual conference, which was held on Monday (May 6), will give entrepreneurs access to various resources to help them navigate and elevate their business platforms.

“This is the place to be,” said Robyn Childers, Co-Founder and President of Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness. “I think folks want to know what’s happening in Detroit. There’s so much growth, revitalization, and expansion.”

Organizers say the Detroit Means Business Summit helps small business owners connect face-to-face with leaders from various organizational resources. Entrepreneurs can also network and find mentors.

“Nine out of 10 businesses in the city of Detroit have no idea how many free, low cost, no cost, resources there are in the City of Detroit,” said Dr. Marlo Rencher, President of Detroit Means Business.

The group said data shows small businesses employ more than half the people in Detroit. That’s why conference organizers want to ensure those businesses survive and thrive.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the neighborhoods,” Rencher said. “They are the people who are going to employ your uncle, your nephew, or whatever, and it’s just important for us to make sure that we’re balancing.”

During the summit, Detroit Means Business launched a new technology called Buktu for small businesses. It’s an app using AI technology to help entrepreneurs easily navigate resources and information for small businesses.

The organization also announced it is launching Black Bottom Billions, a revenue-based game offering friendly competition among entrepreneurs. Its name pays tribute to Detroit’s Historic Black Bottom business district.

“My biggest hope is to get the information I need to stay in business longer,” said Jonathan Farley, owner of Access Point Towing and Transport.

It was Farley’s first time attending a small business summit like this.

“I’ve been kind of winging it a little bit in business, so, now I come here, and I get the information I need to make it more sustainable,” said Farley.

Several grants were awarded to small businesses attending the conference.

Click here for more information about Detroit Means Business.