Operating under the premise that success in today’s economy requires small business owners to not only innovate, but to cooperate with each other, Jack Dorsey, CEO of Square, will return to St. Louis to launch “Let’s Talk,” a new North American event series designed to bring business owners together to collaborate, connect and strengthen their communities.

The event is set for Aug. 29, 2013, 6pm at the Casa Loma Ballroom. Joining Dorsey for an in-depth discussion on small business growth will be Scott Carey, owner of Sump Coffee, Kaylen Wissinger of Whisk Bakeshop, Jeremy Schwartz of Cherokee Street Bikes and Katie Miller, co-owner of Scarlett Garnet. Small business owners are invited to attend for free.

Dorsey notes that businesses of every size should have the tools and resources to compete on the merit of their work and ideas. “The growth and success of a community depends upon the people who support it,” Dorsey says. “We’re eager to meet business owners, listen to their stories, introduce them to one another and unite their neighborhoods.”

In the past few months, Dorsey has hosted “Let’s Talk” events in and around San Francisco, but now he’s taking his show on the road. Following St. Louis, Dorsey will continue the “Let’s Talk” event series in Detroit, Minneapolis, Toronto, New Orleans and the Bronx.

RSVP to reserve your spot, and you can follow the event series on Square’s Facebook and Twitter accounts using the #LetsTalk hashtag. The Casa Loma Ballroom is located at 3354 Iowa Avenue in Benton Park.