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.”

#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 flat tires, battery issues, lockouts, and more. Through its app, users connect directly with nearby, verified service providers, bringing speed, transparency, and peace of mind to roadside support.

Tomika shares how she turned a moment of vulnerability into a thriving tech-enabled solution that connects drivers with trusted roadside help. After being stranded on the side of the road for hours waiting for help, Tomika knew there had to be a better way. That moment became her mission.

“I didn’t want anyone else to feel the fear and frustration I felt that day. That’s where DRVA was born.”

Tomika’s shares how the best businesses often come from deeply personal pain points—and how innovation can be rooted in empathy.

#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 the ever-changing landscape of small business.

She covers:

• Why niching down is the key to leveling up
• How localizing your brand builds trust
• Avoiding costly mistakes in marketing
• The power of word-of-mouth and authenticity
• Preparing underserved communities for Web 3.0

Myeshia’s journey into the world of health and beauty wasn’t just about passion—it was deeply personal. After witnessing the tragic loss of her grandfather due to complications from a diabetic foot wound, she became determined to provide specialized care for those with medical needs. This purpose-driven mission eventually led her to become a certified medical manicurist, educator, and business consultant.

“My grandfather died… he was a diabetic and had a cut on the bottom of his foot he didn’t feel. That experience made me realize how important proper foot care is—and how dangerous it can be without it.”

Myeshia’s journey into health, beauty, and marketing wasn’t just a career move—it was a mission to restore confidence. One of the most striking takeaways from the conversation was how she merges her deep marketing knowledge with a passion for helping others feel seen and celebrated. Whether she’s guiding a brand or advising on self-care, her approach is rooted in authenticity.

#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 instructor, weight management and behavior specialist, and mind and body eating coach gives her a holistic approach to helping her clients feel strong, healthy, and confident.

Total Fitness Transformation is a boutique-style fitness studio in Oakland, California, that focuses on empowering women through a combination of personal training, group fitness classes, and mind-body coaching. Gloria's program goes beyond traditional fitness – she helps clients with emotional eating, body image challenges, and sustainable health habits. With over 23 years in the industry, Gloria provides a supportive, safe environment where clients can build strength, release weight (not just lose it), and develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies.

Gloria opens up about how the pandemic motivated her to deepen her work, particularly in supporting the health of the Black and Brown communities. Hear how Gloria reframes “weight loss” as “weight release” – and why that shift matters. Discover the key to sustaining fitness results and why quick fixes don’t work. Learn why body image is a big challenge for women – and how Gloria helps her clients feel strong and confident.

#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 movement, pole, and twerk classes — all grounded in the principles of self-love, empowerment, and healing.

We Heal Different provides a range of movement-based classes, including pole dancing, twerking, belly dance fusion, and stretch sessions, all designed to help women reconnect with their bodies and heal through movement. They also offer holistic experiences such as sister circles, trauma release ceremonies, and community events to foster emotional healing and support. In addition to dance, the studio provides massage therapy, Pilates (coming soon), and birth justice work, creating a safe and sacred space for women to reclaim their sensuality and strength in a supportive, community-driven environment.

A takeaway for us was how Breezy & Bobbi emphasize that healing is not a linear process — it’s relational and deeply connected to community and movement. They highlight that many women carry trauma and disconnection from their bodies due to societal pressures, past experiences, and internalized shame. Through their classes and sister circles, Breezy & Bobbi create a space where women can feel safe to release emotional tension, reconnect with their sensuality, and build authentic relationships with others. Their approach challenges the idea that healing happens in isolation, instead showing that true healing comes through shared experiences, trust, and collective support.