From Baltimore to Soho: The Rise of Cloudy Donuts

Feb 10, 2026

Derrick Falcon, former Baltimore restaurateur turned founder of Cloudy Donuts, shares his pivot to a single-product vegan donut shop in Soho. He discusses scaling through simplicity, partnering with Zoditu for grassroots sampling, and deliberately choosing Soho to challenge retail norms and expand Black entrepreneurship into prime markets.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

From Restaurant To One-Product Model

Derrick Falcon recounts moving from a full-service restaurant in Baltimore to focusing on one product: donuts.
He explains that single-item retail simplified operations and allowed for rapid scaling compared to a traditional restaurant.

INSIGHT

Legitimacy To Scalable Wealth

Legitimate business success reframed Derrick's ambitions from status to scaling wealth.
He emphasizes that after initial legitimacy you must pursue scalable revenue, not just symbolic wins.

ADVICE

Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing

Focus on the main thing and keep the main thing the main thing.
Choose a simple, product-driven offering to reduce complexity and enable over-the-counter scalability.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this engaging clip, explore the entrepreneurial journey of Derrick Falcon, a visionary who traded the fast-paced restaurant scene in Baltimore for a singular focus on vegan donuts in the heart of Soho, New York. Co-host Rashad Bilal introduces Derrick's story, highlighting the shift from running Homemade in Baltimore to launching Cloudy Donuts, a venture that blends simplicity with ambition.

Derrick shares his unique business philosophy—prioritizing a single product, in this case, donuts, for their scalability and efficiency. This strategic approach allows him to focus on quality and expansion rather than the complexities of a full restaurant menu. The clip delves into Derrick's past, detailing how he transitioned from a criminal lifestyle to establishing legitimate and impactful business operations. His goal? Significant financial growth and redefining success for Black entrepreneurs in affluent areas.

A crucial element in this transformation is Derrick’s partnership with Zoditu. Together, they masterfully introduced Cloudy Donuts to New York, using community ties and free samples to generate buzz and build a loyal customer base. The decision to situate the business in Soho, rather than in traditionally Black neighborhoods, reflects a bold strategy to position themselves in prime retail markets and challenge existing racial economic stereotypes.

Derrick’s journey is about more than making delicious vegan donuts—it's about making a statement. He aims to establish a prominent presence in commercial spaces typically dominated by others, showcasing that Black entrepreneurs can thrive in every market. This inspiring clip offers insights into Derrick's innovative mindset, highlighting his capacity to teach us about business and community impact.

Join us as we uncover how one man's vision is not only transforming the donut industry but also reshaping perceptions and creating opportunities for future generations.

**Hashtags:** #Entrepreneurship #BusinessJourney #VeganDonuts #Innovation #BlackExcellence #NYC #CloudyDonuts #DerrickFalcon #SohoBusiness #FoodIndustry #CommunityImpact #Scalability #BusinessStrategy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.