Donnie Simpson Jr. grew up with a famous name. His father, Donnie Simpson, became a familiar voice on Washington, D.C., radio and hosted BET’s Video Soul. Donnie Jr. even worked behind the scenes on his father’s radio show. But when he began thinking about his future, he chose a path few people expected: he opened a shop devoted to muffins.
That change is the heart of his story. Donnie Jr. went from producing a popular morning show to learning how to run a food business. His shop, Uprising Muffin Company, opened in Washington, D.C., in 2014. It gave him a chance to build something under his own name, one customer and one muffin at a time.
Quick Bio: Donnie Simpson Jr.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Donnie Simpson Jr. |
| Nickname | D.J. |
| Known for | Founding Uprising Muffin Company |
| Profession | Entrepreneur and former radio producer |
| Father | Donnie Simpson |
| Father’s profession | Radio and television host |
| Early career | Radio |
| First role on his father’s show | Intern |
| Later radio role | Producer |
| Radio station | WPGC-FM |
| Year he left WPGC-FM | 2010 |
| Business founded | Uprising Muffin Company |
| Business opened | 2014 |
| Shop location | Shaw neighbourhood, Washington, D.C. |
| Main product | Muffins |
| Shaw shop closed | July 2018 |
| Wife | Kate |
| Children | Three |
Who Is Donnie Simpson Jr.?
Donnie Simpson Jr. is an American entrepreneur and former radio producer. He is the son of broadcaster Donnie Simpson, whose career in radio and television made him well known to audiences across the country. Donnie Jr. is sometimes called “D.J.,” which helps distinguish him from his father.
His own work has taken him through two very different businesses. First came radio, where he worked on his father’s show at WPGC-FM. Then came Uprising Muffin Company, a bakery business he founded in Washington, D.C. The move drew attention because people knew his family name, but the idea and the work behind the shop were his own.
His Early Work in Radio
Donnie Jr. did not begin his career in a bakery. He started as an intern on his father’s radio show and later became a producer. His job was behind the microphone rather than in front of it. He helped make the show happen while his father connected with listeners on the air.
Working together also meant that Donnie Jr. saw the radio business from the inside. He knew the pace of a morning show and the effort it took to keep one running. He stayed with the show until he and his father left WPGC-FM in 2010. By then, he had spent years in broadcasting, but he was ready to try something else.
Why He Left Radio
Changing careers after years in one field is a big decision. For Donnie Jr., the way people listened to music was changing. Streaming services let listeners choose a song whenever they wanted, and he questioned what that shift might mean for traditional radio.
He also had an interest in starting a business. A well-known surname could bring attention to a new shop, but it could not decide what to sell, serve customers or keep the doors open. Donnie Jr. chose to explore an idea that had little to do with broadcasting: a place where muffins would be the main attraction.
Learning the Business Before Opening a Shop
Donnie Jr. did not move straight from the studio into his own café. Before Uprising opened, he worked at a Starbucks in Olney, Maryland. He took the job to learn more about customer service and running a retail store, and he later became a manager there.
That experience mattered. Making a good product is only one part of running a food business. A shop also needs staff, supplies and a way to serve people well every day. Donnie Jr. spent years preparing his plan before opening Uprising. His time at Starbucks gave him practical experience to bring to his own venture.
The Idea Behind Uprising Muffin Company
Most cafés sell muffins alongside many other foods. Donnie Jr. wanted to put muffins at the centre of the business. That simple choice gave Uprising Muffin Company a clear identity. Customers could stop in for a muffin and coffee rather than treat the muffin as an extra item beside their order.
His father supported the plan with encouragement, startup money and taste-testing. Donnie Simpson Sr. had built a career in broadcasting, but his son was making something different. Uprising was a chance for Donnie Jr. to turn an idea into a business people could visit and experience for themselves.
Opening in Washington, D.C.
Uprising Muffin Company opened in 2014 in the Shaw neighbourhood of Washington, D.C. Its shop was on Seventh Street NW, near the Shaw–Howard University Metro station. The location gave commuters, neighbours and other visitors an easy place to stop for breakfast or coffee.
Muffins led the menu, with sweet and savoury choices. The shop also served coffee and other food. As Uprising found its place in the neighbourhood, Donnie Jr. tried new ideas, including a muffin-top ice cream sandwich. The business was more than a change of job for him. It was a chance to see whether a focused idea could find its own customers.
What Happened to the Shaw Shop?
The Shaw storefront closed in July 2018, about four years after it opened. Donnie Jr. explained at the time that the large space was difficult for his business model. He also said the surrounding neighbourhood had not developed quite as he had expected when he chose the location.
Closing the shop did not mean Uprising immediately ended. The business moved its operations to a commercial kitchen in the Langdon area and planned to focus on catering and wholesale sales. That meant making muffins for orders and other sellers instead of relying on one café. The current status of Uprising Muffin Company is not clearly established in the public information available, so it would be misleading to describe it as an open storefront today.
Donnie Simpson Jr.’s Family and Private Life
Donnie Jr. is married to a woman named Kate, and they have three children. He has spoken warmly about his wife, but much of their family life has remained private. Public coverage of him has focused mainly on his work in radio and his muffin business.
There are also details that should not be guessed. Reliable public information does not establish his exact birth date, education or personal net worth. His story has enough substance without adding numbers or personal claims that cannot be checked.
Building a Name of His Own
It would have been easy for Donnie Jr. to remain known only as a broadcaster’s son. He worked with his father and learned the radio business, so that connection is a real part of his career. Yet Uprising Muffin Company showed another side of him: someone willing to learn a new trade and put his own idea in front of the public.
His business also faced a hard decision when the Shaw location no longer suited its plans. Donnie Jr. closed the café and changed how Uprising operated. That part of the story matters as much as opening day. It shows the practical choices behind a small business, from learning how to serve customers to recognising when a shop needs a different model.
Conclusion
Donnie Simpson Jr. began in radio, producing his father’s show at WPGC-FM. He then prepared for a new career and opened Uprising Muffin Company in Washington, D.C. Although its Shaw café closed in 2018, the business gave him a way to pursue an idea that was his own. His story is memorable because the move from radio to muffins was unexpected, and because he put in the work to make it happen.
(FAQs)
Who is Donnie Simpson Jr.?
Donnie Simpson Jr. is an American entrepreneur and former radio producer. He is the son of radio and television personality Donnie Simpson.
Did Donnie Simpson Jr. work with his father?
Yes. He started as an intern and later produced his father’s radio show at WPGC-FM.
What business did Donnie Simpson Jr. start?
He founded Uprising Muffin Company, a muffin-focused business that opened a shop in Washington, D.C., in 2014.
Is the Uprising Muffin Company café still open?
Its original café in Washington’s Shaw neighbourhood closed in July 2018. The business then shifted toward catering and wholesale. Its current operating status is not clearly confirmed.
Is Donnie Simpson Jr. married?
Yes. His wife’s name is Kate, and they have three children.
