Mahiri Takai’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Welcome to Lights, Camera, Clapper! This month, we sat down with Mahiri Takai. From being homeless at 19 in the streets of New York City to becoming one of the breakout stars of NBC’s On Brand. Hear about the full-circle moments, how fatherhood shaped his career, and his best advice for creators. And we got a special, behind-the-scenes look at his new show, Cook Dad Cook.
Check out the full interview on YouTube, or read the highlights below.
We’re so excited to be joined by one of the breakout stars of NBC’s On Brand, Marhiri Takai! Congrats on making it so far on the show. How are you feeling?
It’s been a fun journey. I’m one of those people who greatly appreciate the journey, and I believe that that was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I also got to meet my dream people! Boman St. John, a Hall of Fame marketer, I sat down with her weekly and had conversations, got insight, and got yelled at. It’s just the greatest experience of my life.
One of our favorite challenges of the series was the Southwest Airlines challenge. How did you feel when you realized that the brand you’d potentially be working with? And, as a Dallas native, how did you feel when you won that challenge?
I had not flown Southwest in many years, and I didn’t even know that Southwest was from Dallas until I started a deep dive. When I found out, I was excited and even more intrigued to see how it would turn out. There were so many facets I could live in, building an idea based on a brand that was in my hometown, connected to my family and friends.
I had an aunt call me yesterday and say, “I was able to skip the line because I told them my nephew was making the signs.” Which is great, I guess! But it just proves that it was a hometown brand and felt good for local people.
Do you have any advice for anyone who’s starting from scratch and chasing their dreams?
My advice would only be to tap into that creative beast inside you. If we can tap into that, if we could ignite our creative light and put it into the world, we could create beyond what we could ever imagine. The world needs creativity.
Want to hear how fatherhood changed Mahiri’s creativity and how he approaches business? Watch the full interview on our YouTube!
You have a new show called Cook Dad Cook! Tell us about it – and how it was having the amazing Boz as your first guest.
We were starting something new. I pitched this idea on the KitchenAid episode of the show, and it was received well. I got great feedback, but they didn’t pick it. Did it hurt in the moment? Yes, but later I was glad they didn’t pick it because I could actually do it.
Every episode, three dads come to us to learn to cook a meal. A celebrity brings a recipe, and I show the guys how to make it. The celebrity judge decides who wins that week. I went to LA, hired a production company called Write Boy Productions, and we put this thing together in two days, the day after I left On Brand. I called Boz and told her about it, she showed up, and it was great. We’re going to a big network; I can’t say what one, but I’m so excited to show the world what we’ve created.
As someone who’s made such a strong personal brand by being authentic, what advice would you give creators or people in general who want to create an online identity?
I pride myself on being authentic to myself. I’m rare, in who I am and this personality and this being. But I also walk heavy in my steps because I know who I am. And before I knew what I was going to do or what my career was going to be, I knew who I was.
Knowing who you are is just the first step. Get Mahiri’s full answer on Clapper!
Thank you to Mahiri Takai for taking the time to chat with us! Follow Mahiri on Instagram or YouTube to stay up to date on his latest projects. Stream On Brand on Peacock to see him in action. Just a warning: his genius ideas will leave you feeling inspired.
