Family Dollar Founder Leon Levine on the Entrepreneurialism of Charlotte

At the age of 22, Leon Levine opened his first store, Family Dollar, in Charlotte, North Carolina. More than 50 years later, that single store has grown into a major U.S. business chain, with 6,800 stores nationwide. Throughout this success, Levine has remained committed to the city of Charlotte, where the Leon Levine Foundation has played a large philanthropic role in funding local institutions, groups and hospitals. In this interview, Levine talks about how Charlotte fostered his entrepreneurialism, why it's good for emerging businesses, and the role philanthropy can play in building on the city's strengths.

You’ve been involved in business in Charlotte for decades. What made the city a good place to start and run a business when you opened your first store?