• Pick one problem you solve for the neighborhood - Focus on daily needs first. Grocery, practical retail, family friendly dining, fitness, kids activities, personal services.
• Talk to people - Walk the district with a notebook, talk to a commercial real estate brokers, talk to landlords and property managers, talk to residents and workers, and talk to politicians
• Show up to local development meetings, listen for planned projects, timelines, and priority categories.

SB 304 takes effect January 1, and Jack London Square enters a new era. We break down what the law changes, why the waterfront still feels under-served, and what types of businesses Oakland residents keep leaving town to find. If you own a business or want one, you will learn where to start, who to talk to, and how to move early in a market that has open space right now.

Jack London has TONS of potential. There is too much open retail space there. There is a great opportunity for a combination of local and national businesses. Use national chain restaurants to bring value dining dining for families and bistros for our “foodies” - they can serve different customers and co-exist.

Add in an Apple Store and we would really have something. Emeryville has one. Berkeley has one. Oakland does not.

Our local small business owners could sprinkle into this ecosystem and thrive. Wouldn’t you want to be 2 doors down from the Apple Store.

Stick around til the end to get a clear what to do next plan if you want space in Jack London Square before the rents skyrocket.

• Partner with Ballers, Roots, and Soul to vend, sample, and sponsor—start relationship building now before new stadiums break ground.
• Create the event you wish existed: Center your product or service in a local event that showcases your business.
• Partner with local youth-sports tournaments: Approach local tournament directors with ideas of value for them and their participants.

We dive deep into the departure of the A’s—and how Oakland entrepreneurs can monetize from it. There is lots to unpack here. Rather than mourning what’s gone, we flip the narrative, unpacking why this moment might be the biggest business opportunity Oakland’s small-business community has seen in years.

We explore how the city’s remaining teams—the Oakland Ballers, Oakland Roots, and Oakland Soul—are building a new kind of sports culture: one rooted in community, accessibility, and local partnerships. If you’re a food vendor, creative, retailer, or service provider, these organizations represent open doors—not closed gates. We break down exactly how to approach these teams, what kinds of offers work, and why showing up with value first is the key to lasting partnerships.

But this episode doesn’t stop at sports. We explore how festivals, block parties, and youth sports weekends can become revenue engines for local brands. From creating your own mini-event to designing family-friendly offers during tournament weekends, we provide actionable, step-by-step tactics you can implement today.

Ultimately, this episode isn’t about losing a team—it’s about gaining perspective. By the end, you’ll see how Oakland’s business owners can lead the next era of “game day,” built not around stadiums, but around community energy, creative collaboration, and a shared commitment to keeping dollars circulating locally. If you’re ready to stop waiting for opportunity and start creating it, this is the playbook you didn’t know you needed.

Stick around until the end where we talk about the importance of being proactive: show up with value, give to get.

In this episode we sit down with Stephen and Anna, the founders of Merritt Ceramics, to uncover how they turned a small pottery corner in an Oakland warehouse into a thriving 6,000 sq ft creative community. From humble beginnings funded by restaurant tips to hosting Merritt Fest and managing over a hundred members, their journey is a masterclass in blending art, grit, and entrepreneurship.

They share how free community nights evolved into full courses and memberships, the lessons learned from opening (and later closing) a supply shop, and what it really takes to keep a creative business alive post-COVID.

“It’s dirty and messy... there’s a lot of business-y stuff that we knew nothing about — but we learned by doing.”

Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or community builder, this episode is packed with honest insights on growth, resilience, and purpose-driven work.

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear how Stephen and Anna rebuilt their business after COVID, what they’d do differently today, and the one piece of advice they give every aspiring studio owner.

Ever wonder how a real estate guru pivots into offering the best coffee in Oakland? This week, we sat down with Ethan Ashley, the mastermind behind Kilovolt Coffee, and let me tell you, his story is not your typical grind.

Ethan takes us behind the scenes of building a successful coffee business, sharing the gritty realities, unexpected challenges, and the unwavering passion that fuels his success. Get ready for a raw, unfiltered conversation that'll leave you buzzing with inspiration and a serious craving for a perfectly brewed cup.

Ethan’s secret to success…

“I've seen businesses come and go, and the ones that thrive are the ones that genuinely care about their community and their people. Don't just chase profits; build something meaningful that adds value to the lives of others.”

This isn't just about coffee, it's about community, resilience, and forging your own path.

Stick around until the end where you'll hear Ethan share about his new brick-and-mortar store in West Oakland and launching a mobile coffee van.

Key Takeaways:

• Community is King: Kilovolt Coffee thrives on local loyalty and genuine connection with customers.
• Motivation Beyond Money: Invest in your people - happy employees translate to happy customers. Find ways to support your staff and their passions.
• Opportunity in Oakland: Turn the negative media narrative into your opportunity, Oakland is ripe with entrepreneurial potential.
• Pay Yourself First: Ensure you're taking care of yourself amidst the challenges.

Dive into the unfiltered world of how to be an Oakland real estate entrepreneur with Andrea Gordon! From a failed theater production to a $70M empire, hear her secrets to success, the importance of truthful advice, and why she believes real estate is a political act. Discover how she navigates the market, and how receiving coaching has meant everything to her success. If you’re curious about entrepreneurship, real estate, or simply love a story of perseverance and growth, this episode is for you.

Andrea’s journey is filled with resilience, creativity, and authenticity. She opens up about how that failed theater production shaped her success, why real estate is more than just transactions, and how her entrepreneurial mindset allows her to thrive in a competitive industry.

Andrea Gordon runs her real estate business like a true entrepreneur. With an average of $70 million in sales annually, her business is powered by a small but highly effective team that includes assistants, coordinators, and a virtual assistant. She prioritizes authenticity, truth, and client care, while using her background in theater and sales to connect with people on a deep level.

"You better be prepared to understand marketing—how you get yourself out there into the world—because no one’s going to hand anything to you on a silver platter."

Learn her unique perspective on women in real estate, managing client expectations, and why she loves Oakland. This episode is packed with actionable insights, no-BS advice.

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear Andrea discuss the importance of real estate transactions for everyone.

#075 - Brian Lyons was a longtime employee of Transports, Oakland’s beloved independent running and swimming specialty store located in Rockridge. When the owner wanted to retire, there was no buyer and the store was in danger of closing. Brian stepped up, cobbling together the required investment from personal savings plus friends and family to buy the store.

What started as a part-time job for Brian evolved into a life-changing opportunity to carry on the legacy of a community staple. Brian gets real about the pressure, the hustle, and the heart it took to save the store from closure, survive a rocky first year, and build a customer-first culture rooted in knowledge, service, and movement. This episode is a deep dive into local entrepreneurship, resilience, and the human side of business ownership.

Transports is a locally owned and operated specialty store in Rockridge focused on fitting customers with high-quality running and swimming gear through exceptional customer service and expert product knowledge. What sets the store apart is the hands-on, personalized approach—each staff member is an athlete in their own right and is trained to guide customers through gait analysis, proper fitting, and gear selection with care and integrity.

“It’s not a store where you have to go find some guy… someone’s gonna approach you, ask you questions, but they’re also gonna listen to you.”

Be sure to stick around until the end to hear Brian discuss what it means to trust your gut, even when the stakes are high.

#074 - YaVette Holts, founder of Oakland based BAOBOB, the Bay Area Organization of Black-Owned Businesses shares her personal journey, the origin story of BAOBOB following the Ferguson protests, and her deep passion for helping Black businesses thrive through advocacy, connections, and culture.

BAOBOB is a membership-based merchant association that uplifts Bay Area Black-owned businesses by creating revenue opportunities, fostering community partnerships, and engaging in policy advocacy. Through events, curated marketplaces, and city partnerships, BAOBOB is a powerful bridge between entrepreneurs and systems.

YaVette builds bridges between entrepreneurs and city government officials. She runs impactful programs like OakTalk and Small Business Week events.

“Sometimes the only thing standing between someone’s potential and their success is the right connection—and I live to make those happen.”

YaVette’s work is rooted in community love and strategic activism. Listen in for bold insights, practical solutions, and a refreshing take on what it really means to support small businesses in Oakland.

#073 - In this heartfelt and insightful episode, we sit down with Maisha Pulliam, founder of Skin by Maisha, a thriving skincare studio in Oakland’s Laurel District. Maisha shares her journey from mixing homemade skincare concoctions as a child to building a 17-year-old brick-and-mortar business that prioritizes health, healing, and belonging.

Maisha opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the pivot that saved her business during the pandemic, and the deep pride she feels serving the Oakland community. Whether you're into skincare, building a business, or just love good storytelling—you won’t want to miss this one.

Skin by Maisha is a holistic skincare studio in Oakland offering customized facials and skin treatments for adults, teens, and even pre-teens. Maisha’s team helps clients with acne, aging, discoloration, rosacea, eczema, and more—while fostering confidence and self-love.

“I tell people all the time: I don’t care how many things you try—keep trying until you find your purpose. Keep going until you hone in on your gift.”