Townrootz

#010 - Namaste Ready.  Today’s interview is with ShakaJamal, a yoga instructor in Oakland and Founder of Namaste Ready.  He is expanding the reach of yoga beyond its traditional practitioners.  Some people practice at home, but do not feel comfortable going to studios.  He is working with black men, people of color, and young people all over Oakland.  He wants to “transform and change the zip code of yoga.”

When the pandemic hit, he knew he had something that the people needed and had to figure out how to keep it going.  Before the quarantine, everything was in person - he did maybe only 1-2 classes online.  After the pandemic, EVERYTHING went online.  

He says the classes are only a small part.  The class builds up “reserves” - they are about learning as much as you can for yourself so when you’re NOT able to join, you have your own personal practice.

Be sure to listen to the whole interview to learn how he started working with the Golden State Warriors.

#009 - Be Well Natural.  Today’s interview is with Chris Pearson, Founder of Be Well Natural, a holistic health clinic in Oakland’s Laurel District.  Chris specializes in orthopedics and is a self-professed bio-mechanical geek…

“I love the way our bodies tell the story of how someone navigates their life.”

The clinic has been in practice in the Laurel District for 6 years.  Through Acupuncture and bodywork, he helps people overcome pain and discomfort.  The clinic has several community programs.  Be sure to stick around until the end to hear about the clinic's program for special needs children.

#008 - No immigrants No Spice “NINS”.  Today’s interview is with Vibha Gupta, Founder / Executive Director of Oakland Non Profit No Immigrants No Spice.  Vibha is an Emergency Room physician by day (and night).  As a 2nd generation daughter of immigrants, she started NINS….

 “as a way to positively channel frustration and create something that combines my passion for food, culture and people. My hope is that this can be something that is fun, transcendent, educational and above all helpful.”

Her mission is to shed light on the positive contributions immigrants have in our community.  She donates 100% of the proceeds from the sale of NINS swag to support immigrant programs and initiatives. 

#007 - Two Chicks in the Mix.  Today’s interview is with Malaka Wison-Greene, co-owner of Two Chicks in the Mix.  Malaka and her best friend since high school Erica Freeman conceived the idea in 2013 and the business was born.  Malaka operates in Oakland while Erica covers LA.  After hearing this, you will want to try their pastries, pies, cookies, and cakes.

“Unique Ingredients, Done Right!” is our slogan because we love fun and fresh flavors.  From sourcing California-made, organic ingredients to making everything from scratch, we aim to create an experience that feels and tastes thoughtfully and lovingly made. Our seasonal menu is inspired by California produce, unique flavor combinations, and Black food culture.”

Before the pandemic, they primarily made cakes for weddings.  When the pandemic hit, they pivoted to online sales.  Stick around until the end to hear about their plans for a storefront.

#006 - LuxGroom.  Today’s interview is with Notch Taplett, owner of LuxGroom.  LuxGroom is a full-service mobile barbershop dedicated to consistently providing shaves, haircuts, and other grooming services while providing a private, relaxing, clean atmosphere for the discerning customer.

Before the pandemic, Notch operated a traditional brick and mortar barbershop.  The pandemic forced him to shut down his shop, but it did not shut down Notch.  He discovered that instead of the customers coming to him, he could take his service TO his customers.

He brought an innovative approach to men's grooming that offers today’s gentlemen a clean and safe setting to sit back, relax and experience the “New Age” style of male grooming services - all in a mobile van.

Stick around until the end to hear about how Notch wants to bring what he’s learned to other personal care service providers so they can grow and scale their businesses as well.

#005 - Truffle Shuffle.  Today’s interview is with Jason McKinney from Oakland’s Truffle Shuffle.  Truffle Shuffle has an incredible “pandemic pivot” story.  Co-founders Jason McKinney, his wife Sarah McKinney, and Tyler Vorce all cut their teeth together at Napa’s famous French Laundry Restaurant.

In 2018, they set out to start an “honest truffle company with the goal of sourcing honest and sustainable truffles directly from hunters to bring them to chefs in America”. 

In 2019, they incorporated truffles into other products and inked a global deal with Whole Foods.

Then, in 2020 when the pandemic hit, they had 20 lbs of fresh truffles and NO customers.  Eighty percent of their business was with restaurants and restaurants were shut down.

They were dead in the water until a private club in San Francisco approached them about doing a virtual cooking class for their members.  Truffle Shuffle had an idea - could they package up 100% of the ingredients needed for the class, including some of their truffle inventory, and send them out to the participants?  The club loved the “white glove service” and Truffle Shuffle’s pandemic pivot was born.

Truffle Shuffle offers a true EXPERIENCE, not merely a cooking class.  Your box arrives at the end of the week with EVERYTHING you need for the Sunday class, even down to the properly portioned butter and salt.  They also include a mixer for a specialty cocktail, you’ll have to supply your own alcohol, however.

From time to time you’ll find surprise guests - The San Francisco cast of Hamilton, Wu-Tang Clan, and Snoop Dogg to name a few.  They’ve also done a great job incorporating local up-and-coming artists and Bay Area food companies.  Though the Zoom room may include hundreds of people, the team does a great job of interacting with participants, sometimes “pinning” participants on the screen to show off their dish.

Anyone can do this!  The experience is very family-friendly and you don’t need any cooking expertise - they show you how to do everything.  You just need a computer or smart-phone and come ready to have a good time.  Classes usually sell out by Wednesday of each week so don’t wait around.

They racked up some impressive stats in 2020:
600+ sessions
200,000+ guests
100,000+ meals

Be sure to stick around 'til the end to hear how Jason became a chef.  It is a great story.

If you like the interview, you can see more.  Truffle Shuffle will appear on Shark Tank - April 16, 2021, on ABC at 8 pm.

#004 - Chanchos.  Today’s interview is with Matt Meyer and Daniel Paez, longtime friends and founders of Chanchos.  Matt and Daniel were working on opening a new bar in Oakland (Low Bar) to recreate the Oakland bar scene they enjoyed in their early 20s. 

When the pandemic hit, they started Chanchos to sell comfort food.  Chanchos allowed them to fund the bar build-out and test the market along the way.  It has been such a hit, they continue to serve up Chanchos dishes in Low Bar.  Low Bar is located in Uptown Oakland at 2300 Webster Street (Corner of 23rd and Webster).

They are committed to serving food and drinks that will make you glad you put on pants and walked through their doors.  Their motto is:

“We aim to provide more than just great food and drinks.  Our guests will always be reminded of how important it is, even for a little while, to be carefree.”

Be sure to stick around to hear how they came up with the names.  It is a great story.

#003 - Formosa Chocolates.  Today’s interview is with Kim Yang, founder of Formosa Chocolates.  Kim is a doctor but left her medical career to become a chocolate entrepreneur.  She followed her passion and that led her to culinary school and traveling the world visiting chocolate shops.

Formosa ships chocolate to all 50 states.  Kim is known to sometimes include handwritten notes with shipments.

Listen to the episode to find out more about Kim’s journey, business, and how you can order some chocolate.

#002 - Brown Bag Bread Club.  Today’s interview is with Lee Magner, founder of the Brown Bag Bread Club.  Lee is a longtime professional baker.  When he was furloughed from his job due to COVID he started baking and delivering fresh bread around Oakland.  The response was AMAZING!  People loved his bread and created a community of bread aficionados.  

The club offers monthly or biweekly subscriptions for people who want to enjoy delicious, fresh-baked Artisan sourdough bread!

Listen to the episode to find out more about Lee’s journey, what he’s doing in the community, and how you can join the club.

#001 - Welcome to the first episode of The Townrootz Podcast. This podcast is for and about Oakland, CA - otherwise known as "The Town".  No matter if you live here, work here, or are visiting, we have something for you.  We cover local businesses, people, community organizations, events, and experiences that make-up Oakland.  They all have their own unique stories and we will bring them out.  Stick with us and we will continually bring you something new.