Nominate a Neighbor: Dwan Petti

Article Written By: Melissa Teten

Dwan Petti, business owner and neighborhood connector

Sometimes the people who make the biggest impact on a neighborhood don't begin with a neighborhood at all, they begin by serving people.

That's been true for Dwan Petti.

Dwan first connected with Hey Neighbor through Neighborhood University, where she discovered a community committed to helping people build meaningful relationships right where they live. The message resonated deeply because it reflected something she had already been seeing in the small business community.

For years, Dwan has been an advocate for local entrepreneurs, believing that when small businesses succeed, entire communities benefit. She helps business owners access practical training, connects them inside her coworking space, Summit 360 Suites, Powered by Business Connect, and brings entrepreneurs together through active Facebook communities where they share ideas, ask questions, and support one another.

But lately, she's noticed a shift.

Business owners aren't just asking how to grow their businesses. They're asking how to become better neighbors.

"I've been hearing from more and more businesses that want to know their neighbors," Dwan says. "They want to use their spaces to be more than places people visit. They want them to become places where the community grows."

When Dwan learned that Ixora, A Wellness Collective was hosting Community Night, an informal gathering for community and connection, the mission of Hey Neighbor came to mind.  Seeing the natural alignment Dwan connected the business with the Hey Neighbor community.

Businesses occupy a unique place in every neighborhood. They welcome familiar faces, greet newcomers, and often become the places where everyday conversations happen naturally. A coffee shop, bookstore, salon, bakery, or boutique can become more than a business; it can become a gathering place where trust grows and friendships begin.

Dwan sees an opportunity to help make that happen.

She hopes to serve as a bridge between the business community and the work of good neighboring, helping businesses discover practical ways to foster connection through simple, informal gatherings that bring people together.

At Hey Neighbor, we believe lasting change begins with relationships. Every introduction, every conversation, and every shared table has the potential to transform a neighborhood.

That's why Dwan's work feels like such a natural partnership.

As she continues equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed, she's also helping them imagine something even greater: businesses that don't simply strengthen the economy, but strengthen the social fabric of their communities.

Because thriving neighborhoods aren't built by one organization alone.

They're built when neighbors, businesses, and community leaders each choose to open their doors and invite others in.