The Next Century of Retail: Episode 4
The Engine — Democratizing the Power of the Broadcast
By Edwin Duterte & Jennifer Wolfe
Founders, The Donn Allan Experience
Previously on The Evolution: We’ve explored the Vision (Ep 1), the soulful "Why" behind our leadership (Ep 2), and the vibrant Playground of the ground-floor market (Ep 3). Now, we must go deeper.
The Greatest Transfer of Power in History
For most of human history, if you wanted to reach a million people, you needed permission. You needed a television network, a radio tower, or a newspaper conglomerate to bless your message.
Those days are over. The gatekeepers have fallen.
Today, the most powerful marketing tool in the world isn't a Super Bowl ad; it is an authentic story, told simply, delivered directly to the people who need to hear it. We believe that a baker in San Pedro has just as much right to a global audience as a CEO in Silicon Valley.
But there is a massive gap between having a story and broadcasting it professionally. That gap is where most dreams stall. That is why we built The Engine.
Descending into Voxel Micro Video Labs
If you take the elevator down from the bustling energy of the San Pedro Local Market, the vibe changes. The noise dampens. The air feels focused.
Welcome to the lower level of the historic JC Penney building. Welcome to Voxel Micro Video Labs.
This is not just a basement; it is a liberation machine for entrepreneurs. We are installing 16 professional-grade video podcasting studios designed to remove every barrier standing between you and your audience.
We Built the Stage so You Can Just Perform
We know why you haven't started your video podcast yet. It’s scary. You don't know about three-point lighting. You don't know which microphone to buy. You don't know how to edit multicam footage.
And you shouldn't have to. Asking a business owner to become an audio engineer before they can share their knowledge is ridiculous.
At Voxel, we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on the message. We partnered with top-tier technical designers to create broadcast-ready environments that are intuitive and accessible. You walk in, you sit down, the lights are already perfect, and you just… talk.
We are turning a historic basement into a megaphone for the community.
From Local Hero to Global Signal
The magic happens when the "Playground" upstairs meets the "Engine" downstairs.
The energy you gather from face-to-face interactions in the market becomes the fuel for your content in the studio. You take a local handshake and turn it into a global signal. You stop competing for foot traffic on 6th Street and start competing for attention on a worldwide stage.
This is the future of small business. It’s not about shouting louder; it’s about broadcasting clearer.
COMING NEXT: The Blueprint
We have shared the vision, the heart, the market, and the technology. You know what we are building and why it matters.
Now, we owe you transparency on how. A project of this scale—transforming a 1922 landmark into a futuristic media hub—doesn't happen overnight. It’s messy, it’s complex, and we want you involved.
In the Season Finale, Episode 5, we roll out the blueprints and invite the community into the design process.
Your voice deserves a professional stage.
Get ready to turn on your microphone at The Donn Allan Experience.