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.