Raleigh couple will both be heard on stage at DNC
PHILADELPHIA (WTVD) -- Monday was Raleigh's time to shine. Democrats heard from Jesse Lipson, a Duke grad turned Raleigh tech innovator, who just sold his company, ShareFile, to Citrix.
Lipson's message was well received.
"Reaction's been great," Lipson said. "My text messages and Twitter and Facebook are blowing up!"
ABC11 caught up with Lipson and his wife, Brooks Bell after Lipson's speech, and one day before Brooks prepares to give her own.
WATCH: Raleigh entrepreneur blasts HB2 at DNC
The couple met at Duke. Bell went on to build her own brand name firm on Hillsborough Street that finds innovative ways for companies to get their message out.
But how did they find themselves in Philadelphia?
"Two weeks ago, we had absolutely no idea we would be at the Democratic National Convention," Lipson said.
Then, out of the blue, a call came from the NC Democratic Party.
"We were just lucky they chose both of us," Lipson said. "Yeah, we were both picked, independently. I don't know if they knew we were even married."
Lipson's speech talked a lot about the business impact of House Bill 2.
Bell expects some of those same themes in her speech.
"I've had a hard time getting some of my remote employees, people I'm talking about hiring, to move to the state as a result of the bathroom bill," Bell said.
"We're operating in this world economy and national economy," Lipson said, "and if we don't, if we're not first class when it comes to diversity and inclusion, then we're going to lose out."
