30 | OCTOBER 31 • 2019
S
ome have called Bruce Schwartz
the man with the hat, but now he’
s
known as Detroit Bruce. Since
2011, he’
s served as Rock Ventures’
Detroit Ambassador, showcasing
Downtown Detroit and sharing the
story of the city’
s resurgence. As an
ambassador, he says his goal is to sup-
port the Rock Family of Companies by
keeping the great talent of our youth
and young visionaries here in Detroit.
Outside of being an experiential cura-
tor of this great city, he’
s a husband,
father and family man. “All that I do is
for my kids and the future that awaits
them,” he says. “It’
s my dream to show
them and generations to come what
Detroit really is, a city full of persever-
ance, opportunity and grit. There is no
place like Detroit. I’
m blessed to call it
home.”
Q:. How did you come to be known as
Detroit Bruce?
It all started more than 25 years
ago when I joined the team at Rock
Financial. I was a mortgage banker for
11 years before I co-founded In-House
Realty, now known as Rocket Homes. In
2010, when I was working as the CEO
of In-House Realty, Dan Gilbert moved
Quicken Loans and the Rock Family
of Companies to Downtown Detroit.
As we were moving Downtown, we
realized there was a need for a Detroit
ambassador to help show our team
members, and a growing list of busi-
nesses interested in moving to Detroit,
how great the city is. I was asked if I
would be interested in the role, and, of
course, I said yes!
Q: What is a typical day like for you, if
there is such a thing?
There are no typical days. My day
usually starts with a large cup of coffee
and some morning time with my beau-
tiful wife and family. I have two teen-
agers, Ruby and Rocco, as well as Coco,
my toddler, and my wife is due with our
fourth child any day now! Then I head
to the office.
Once I make it in, it’
s time to get into
tour mode. Before I know it, I am hit-
ting the streets of Downtown Detroit
with people from all walks of life. I’
ve
had the pleasure of touring Warren
Buffett, Madonna, community leaders
from the Jewish Federation, members of
the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce,
many Detroit community and politi-
cal leaders, and business leaders from
around the world! I usually will give
two to four tours a day.
Q: How would you describe Detroit to
someone who is new to the city?
Detroit is one of the most iconic, his-
toric and culturally diverse cities in the
world. There are so many places and
great things to do, and the people are
what make it the best.
Q. You have a great sense of style,
often wearing Detroit-based clothing
and accessories. Which Detroit brands
are you digging right now?
When it comes to fashion, my go-to
spots in the city are John Varvatos,
Jews in the D
The DJN chats with Bruce Schwartz, AKA Detroit
Bruce, who provides epic tours as Rock Ventures’
Detroit Ambassador.
Bruce
Schwartz
Schmoozing
with
ALLISON JACOBS DIGITAL EDITOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BREANN WHLGN