Townrootz

• 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 h...

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 evolve...

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 co...

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...

#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 op...

#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...

#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 busine...

#072 - In this episode of the Townrootz Podcast, we sit down with Tomika Jones, founder and CEO of DRVA, a mobile roadside assistance company that’s making help on the road faster, safer, and more accessible. What started as a frustrating personal experience became the spark for a business that empowers drivers and service providers alike.

DRVA is a mobile roadside assistance platform offering on-demand help for drivers experiencing...

#071 - In this dynamic episode of the Townrootz Podcast, hosts Anthony Wilson and Vincent Hayes sit down with Myeshia Jefferson, a powerhouse entrepreneur, marketing concierge, and specialist in medical-focused nail care. From her bestselling book to her innovative ventures into the metaverse, Myeshia shares actionable strategies and personal insights on how entrepreneurs can build solid foundations, find their niche, and thrive in...

#070 - In this episode of the Townrootz Podcast, hosts Anthony Wilson and Vincent Hayes sit down with Gloria Kamil, the founder of Total Fitness Transformation. Gloria shares her journey of building a thriving fitness business in Oakland, her unique approach to weight management and body image, and how her work helps clients achieve long-term health and emotional balance. Gloria’s expertise as a personal trainer, mat Pilates instru...

#069 - In this powerful episode, Anthony and Vincent sit down with Breezy & Bobbi, the inspiring sister duo behind *We Heal Different*, a dance studio and healing space in Richmond, CA. Breezy & Bobbi share their incredible journey of creating a community-centered space focused on dance, sisterhood, and healing. They discuss how their studio empowers women to reconnect with their bodies and reclaim their sensuality through ...

#068 - Our discussion with Arturto was so inspiring and really went in 2 directions. In episode 67, he talks about his journey of starting Centro and we brought in a Centro entrepreneur, Annie Wang from Little Moon Bakehouse. In this episode, Arturo shares his journey as a social entrepreneur, providing wisdom from his experiences founding Centro, and writing his book *In Pursuit of a Noble Cause*. Arturo’s work centers on upliftin...

#067 - Today we are joined by 2 guests: Arturo Noriega, Founder and CEO of Centro Community Partners and Annie Wang, owner of Little Moon Bakehouse. Arturo shares his journey of starting Centro to help entrepreneurs in underserved communities, particularly women and immigrants, build successful businesses. Annie discusses her path to launching Little Moon Bakehouse, a vegan, eco-conscious bakery. Together, they explore the roles of...

#066 - Today our guest is Ayodele Kinchen, a gifted and self taught artist, designer, and visionary.  With a keen eye and talent for design, she finds joy creating wearable art that transforms the everyday woman into a Queen, and aims to design pieces that heal, encourage, honor, and beautify the mind, body, and spirit.

Her business started by making things for herself - handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, clothing, a...

#065 - Today we talk to Carol F Burton, Founder of The Jeweld Legacy Group, a nonprofit consultancy based here in Oakland.  The company is named after mother - Jewel.  After a career in nonprofit management Carol saw an opportunity to work with nonprofits and public systems to provide support, technical assistance, resources, and show them how to partner in much more efficient ways to create more self-sufficiency.

“so that...

#064 - Today we talk to Toshia Christal who does not sleep - she is an artist, jewelry maker, painter, photographer, and licensed cosmetologist - a true Renaissance Woman.  She is a creative person at heart and cannot be reduced to any one medium.  She has a brick and mortar space at 2911 Fruitvale Ave to display all of her creative works.

Toshia was crafty as a child, but she always thought of them as hobbies.  When she w...

#063 - Today we talk to Destiny Muhammad, AKA The Harpist From The Hood. Destiny has an inspiring story.  She grew up a military kid, but when her parents divorced, her mother moved with three little girls to Compton, CA.  An episode of I Love Lucy inspired young Destiny to play the harp, but that was not seen as a practical choice for a family navigating the welfare system.

After graduating from high school Destiny became...

#062 - Today we talk to Charmeng Robinson, a local artist who creates handcrafted original pieces that connect with nature.  Charmeng’s pieces include acrylic paintings on canvas, timekeeper, clocks, handcrafted jewelry, coaster, dominoes, and more.

Though her late father painted, Charmeng did not take it up until 2020.  She taught herself via online tutorials and then lots of practice.

“I started taking some tuto...

#061 - Today we talk to Derreck Johnson, Founder of the nonprofit The Black Owned Project 365, which runs the Lifeline Culinary On The Job Training Program, a fully certified apprenticeship program that trains and mentors recently incarcerated individuals so they can have careers in the restaurant industry.

The idea came to him while standing on the steps of the capital while his cousin, Kamala Harris, was being sworn in a...