We had the good fortune of connecting with Maurice Tyson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maurice, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In hindsight, my reasons for starting a baking business initially originated from me processing my mother’s passing. She had been admitted to the hospital for surgery and was there for 10 months until her passing. To say I was devastated is an understatement. As an only child, I couldn’t imagine what to do next. I was numb and in denial. So, for days, weeks and months, I through myself into work. I believe a year after, I rediscovered a recipe file box and, in her own writing, I read a few dozen of her best desserts. It was the holidays and I wasn’t in the mood to shop. I decided to bake chocolate chip cookies and box them and mail out. I received very positive feedback from family and friends. This made me feel good in many ways but it also awakened me to a new found hobby. I baked chocolate chip cookies for special occasions after the holidays and it dawned on me how I felt happier doing this than going to work. I took a deep dive into some business course for entrepreneurship and becoming a stand alone provider of my own brand of chocolate chip cookies.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work in the field of education as a health educator and I’m also a Screen Actor’s Guild member. The person who inspired me to go after what I was passionate about was Cicely Tyson. We’re visionary and focused individuals. Neither profession was easy but to accomplish what you want despite people discouraging you to shine is a character trait not many people have. I learned if you expect success, fame or money from your craft in the short run, then you’re not doing what you want for the right reasons. You have to crawl before you learn to walk. I also had to be open to learning from mistakes and keeping goals relatively manageable, thus I wouldn’t place myself in a situation I couldn’t rise above. That’s a life lesson that occurs no matter what. I want people to know Miss Myrtle’s Chocolate Chip Cookies come a place of caring, believing and smiling. It’s optimism in homemade goodness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I say San Francisco is as interesting a place in the world to find culture, cooking and class. I would take a cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf. They have a plethora of seafood restaurants to choose from but get fresh crabs / clam chowder from the food trucks there. Next, get fresh baked bread at Boudin’s Bakery – famous for their sourdough! The Exploratorium is another must go see! They combine art, science, and hands-on learning to inspire curiosity and creativity for kids and adults. Take the Alcatraz Night Tour, you might envision a much creepier crawl among the ghosts of the rock, LOL! Then the next day, rent bikes and head to Golden Gate Park. That adventure will leave you hungry for more seafood, so when you get hungry for supper, head to The Old Clam House on the eastern edge of Bernal Heights or if you’re wanting Mexican food Taqueria La Cumbre in the Mission district.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Adrienne R. Williams is very talented actor, writer and content creator who has appeared in the Mark Ruffalo HBO mini – series I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE. She believed in my efforts to bring my product to the public and has been supportive since day one.

Website: https://missmyrtlesccc.biz

Instagram: @missmyrtlesccc

Twitter: @maurice8th

Facebook: https://facebook.com/missmyrtlesccc

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.