Oakland, the world's watching. Now what? A recipe for success.
#oo #occupyoakland #ows Hashtag it how you want it, the world is watching. What's next, Oakland?
I've lived in Oakland for over eleven years. I bought my first home here with my husband, I founded my business here, we are raising and educating our children here, we pay taxes here, and we bank locally. I moved over here almost by accident in 2000, when we found San Francisco out of our price range for the house we wanted. We found a beautiful, 1930's Craftsman/Tudor home on a tree lined street in a safe and beautiful Oakland neighborhood.
Outside Oakland, we often get funny looks when people learn our family is from Oakland. As a proud homeowner and business woman, this makes me sad. You see, I believe that Oakland is a terribly misunderstood place with a terrible reputation. To those who only know it through the media, Oakland is drive by shootings, murders, poverty, and ugliness.
Recently, Oakland was a hot topic on the Daily Show, the Huffington Post, Rachel Maddow's terrific show, and even for Egyptian citizens: 
This week, the world has watched while Oakland succesfully held the first general strike in 65 years. Eyes are on us Oakland! What do we want to be known for?
Jon Stewart's clip got me thinking. He showed a few beautiful spots in Oakland, like Jack London Square. While certainly beautiful, it is a retail and dining location that is struggling.
I propose that we get out there and make Oakland known for what we, as Oakland residents, already know - that Oakland is a beautiful and diverse city!
I propose we promote the heck out of what we love about this town! This town is about gorgeous views, the best weather in the country (according to Rand McNally), world class hiking and biking, beautiful early 1900s architecture, the Oakland Museum, Lake Merritt, and in recent years, world class restaurants like Commis, Sidebar, Pican, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Wood Tavern, A Cote, Bellanico, Marzano, Camino, Yoshi's, Flora, Bocanova, Lake Chalet, Mua, Hudson, Mezze, and Oliveto.
I'd like to do my part, which, as an entrepreneur focused on restaurant marketing, means free consultation. Do you know people at these restaurants? Please let them know that I am offering A COMPLIMENTARY HOUR to help these, and any Oakland restaurant, gain visibility to get more customers, grow their business, and help Oakland be known for what is right and good about this city we love so much.
What is your opinion of Oakland? Has it changed since the Occupy movement?
Have I forgotten your favorite Oakland restaurant? What is it?
What are you doing to help Oakland's reputation as a city?
Please comment below. We want to hear from you!