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