• 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.