Millions of Americans have lost their job this year, that job that they thought would always be there.  Due to Covid-19, many of us lost our stability and left us wondering…how am I going to make it?  When Michael Russ, owner of MacDaddy Oakland, found that he had lost his job as a chef due to Covid-19, he decided to take matters into his own hands.  “I have worked for so many companies, businesses and corporations and have always had a longing to start my own company. I had MacDaddy’s font, name and color scheme picked out two years ago, to put things into perspective; just waiting for the right time to release it. When COVID finally hit and I lost my job, I thought, what better time to start the business I was always dreaming of starting!” says Michael.  Michael has been a Savory Chef for 12 years, and a Pastry Chef/Cake Artist for 9 years.  He chose the company name based on the famous pastry called the macaroon, as he would make about a thousand of them a day for the Wynn Las Vegas and later on became the Executive Pastry Chef there.  Also, the Oakland in MacDaddy Oakland stands for where Michael was born and raised, Oakland California.  Michael, has always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and after taking “Intro to Entrepreneurship” in the 11^th grade, felt like he was made to be one.  Entrepreneurship can be a tough road, but many of us get that one experience where we feel like we made the right choice.  Michael felt like he made the right choice while vending a pop-up event, “The moment when I was vending at a pop-up and a customer told me my cake was one of the best things they had ever eaten, that moment will always stick with me and keep me focused on why I started the company in the first place.”  MacDaddy Oakland has the sites of expanding as well as giving back to the community for this year’s goals.  “My primary goal is more visibility within the community, and networking with as many local businesses and influencers to spread the word. Another primary goal of MacDaddy Oakland is philanthropy and giving back to the community that I grew up in, whether that is local clean-up projects we have had, fundraisers, and providing desserts for auction to raise money for local organizations,” says Michael.  So not only does MacDaddy Oakland provide some of the best pastries and cakes in the Bay Area, they are big on giving back to the Bay Area as well.  You can find MacDaddy Oakland on Instagram, username @macdaddyoakland, and you can also visit their website, macdaddyoakland.com.  Be sure to keep an eye out for their upcoming events…especially for the Holiday Season.  “Along with our usual Designer Cakes, Pastries and items on our website. We have debuted our signature Seasonal Cookie Kits that will be tailored to each season, starting with Halloween and continue from this point on, with a Fall Cookie kit debuting in November and a Winter Wonderland Cookie Kit in December. Our kits come with all of the cookies, frosting, sprinkles and accompaniments needed, as well as a link to watch me make the cookies while the viewer can follow along or do their own creative spin! The holidays are also coming up so Seasonal Pies & Tarts will be available, including: Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Pear Tarts/Crumble, Apple Pie/Tarts, and Maple Pecan Pie,” – MacDaddy Oakland.

Interview Questions

* Why did you chose your company name / What does it mean to you?

MacDaddy Oakland holds a special place in my life for multiple reasons. I chose my company name based off of the Macaron cookie, a French pastry I used to make upwards of thousands per week when I worked as the Executive Pastry Chef at the Wynn Las Vegas. The second part of my name is Oakland, where I was born and raised and no matter how far I travel, Oakland will always be a part of who I am and where I call home.

* What are your goals for your company for the rest of this year?

My primary goal is more visibility within the community and networking with as many local businesses and influencers to spread the word. Another primary goal of MacDaddy Oakland is philanthropy and giving back to the community that I grew up in, whether that be local clean-up projects we have had, fundraisers, and providing desserts for auction to raise money for local organizations.

* What Inspired you to start your company?

I have always been in the kitchen since I could walk so my connection to food has been in grained in me and a part of who I am. I have worked for so many companies, businesses and corporations and have always had a longing to start my own company. I had MacDaddy’s font, name and color scheme picked out two years ago, to put things into perspective; just waiting for the right time to release it. When COVID finally hit and I lost my job, I thought, what better time to start the business I was always dreaming of starting.

* Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?

I have always wanted to work for myself. I remember taking “Intro to Entrepreneurship” in 11^th grade of high school and thinking to myself, I can do this…I was made for this. Being financially independent has always been a large motivator for me and with the knowledge I have acquired, I am one step closer to accomplishing that goal.

* Words of advice you would give to someone getting into your field

Try and keep trying, even if you fail a few times; because the failures will happen without a doubt, but after all of those failed attempts, you will be so much stronger, better equipped to handle any situation and success is right over that horizon. You will have to be determined and stubborn, often alone at times because family and friends are not always going to be behind you but believing in yourself first will take you so much further. Do not give up, take a breath and keep it pushing!

* What is the message you want to deliver to people?

I want someone to hear/read about/see MacDaddy Oakland and think, “That’s what I want”. I want my brand to not only inspire future Cake Artists and Chefs but also be a reliable source of local, hand-crafted pieces of edible art that is accessible and made with love.

* How long have you been in your craft?

I have been cooking professionally as a Savory Chef for 12 years and a Pastry Chef/Cake Artist for 9 years.

* Words of advice you would give to someone getting into your field?

The best word of advice I can give is, do not give up, be tenacious in your endeavors and stay true to your style while staying receptive to feedback and constructive criticism. Not everything you make will be delicious but there is a learning opportunity in all things.

* What has been your favorite experience pertaining to your brand/company?

My favorite experience in my company has been seeing my clients faces when I present them with the finished product and that glow in their eyes of amazement and wonder that I created something beyond their imagination is the ultimate reward for me.

* Any upcoming events or specials you will be providing?

Along with our usual Designer Cakes, Pastries and items on our website. We have debuted our signature Seasonal Cookie Kits that will be tailored to each season, starting with Halloween and continue from this point on, with a Fall Cookie kit debuting in November and a Winter Wonderland Cookie Kit in December. Our kits come with all of the cookies, frosting, sprinkles and accompaniments needed, as well as a link to watch me make the cookies while the viewer can follow along or do their own creative spin! We would be so grateful if you highlight that as a product we are trying to push, along with our custom cakes because those are our specialty. The holidays are also coming up so Seasonal Pies & Tarts will be available, including: Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Pear Tarts/Crumble, Apple Pie/Tarts, Maple Pecan Pie.

Published By Trey Davis & Timiesha Pruitt