Nestled in the beautiful Hidden Oaks neighborhood of Blackhawk lives the Russell family: Greg and Eggie, and their three daughters — Davaa (16), Ella (15), and Mia (11). The Russells’ journey is one filled with resilience, love, and a little bit of fate.
Greg and Eggie’s story began in 2005 in San Francisco while both worked in the roofing business. Greg, already established in the industry, found himself negotiating with Eggie, who was managing purchases and firmly driving a hard bargain. What started as professional irritation slowly turned into attraction. After a few business lunches and happy hours, the two officially began dating on September 22, 2006. Only 30 days later, Eggie moved in. Sixty days after that, they were engaged, and by May 12, 2007, they were married at the Lafayette Park Hotel. “When you know, you know,” Greg reflects.
Greg grew up in Pleasanton, graduated from Foothill High School, and later earned his degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (1995) and his MBA from the University of Phoenix (1998). Eggie’s path to the Bay Area was far different. Born and raised in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, she immigrated to the U.S. at 18 with just $20 in her pocket and two cardboard boxes of belongings. Eggie’s sister had long believed that the United States offered the best future, and after several family visa attempts, Eggie’s application was approved.
Her arrival in the U.S. was nothing short of an adventure. Due to a miscommunication at the Beijing airport, Eggie’s flight unexpectedly rerouted to Detroit. Thinking she had arrived in San Francisco, Eggie waited for hours at the Detroit airport curb while her brother circled SFO. A kind security guard, noticing her distress, helped her call her family. Eventually, she reached San Francisco, where her brother handed her a Mongolian-to-English dictionary and told her to learn English and find a job. Eggie did just that, persevering through more than 30 short-lived jobs due to language barriers. Slowly, she taught herself English by watching television with her dictionary in hand, and today, she speaks and writes English with more fluency than many native speakers.
By the time she met Greg in 2006, Eggie had a full-time job, owned a car, and had built a strong foundation. In 2009, she became a U.S. citizen — a testament to her determination and resilience. “It’s incredible what heart, perseverance and the refusal to give up can result in,” Greg says.
Together, Greg and Eggie combined their professional experience and passion for business. After years of stable careers in roofing distribution, they took a leap of faith and started their own company in 2012. “The worst thing that could happen was we’d fail and go back to our previous jobs,” Greg recalls. That leap turned out to be one of the best decisions they ever made, as the business thrived exponentially for 12 years and sold in June 2024.
Their family grew with the births of their daughters: Davaa, Ella, and Mia. All three girls have been active in Mustang Soccer, with Mia currently playing on the Elite competitive team. Davaa and Ella now attend Monte Vista High School where they play JV softball, and Ella also played freshman soccer this year. Mia is also active in theater with I Can Do That in Danville. When they’re not attending games or performances, the Russells have always enjoyed rooting for their hometown teams — the Oakland Raiders, Oakland A’s, and Golden State Warriors. Last season, they attended as many A’s games as possible, with Mia even leading the wave at the very last home game, successfully rallying the crowd for three full rounds around the stadium. As lifelong East Bay sports fans, the Russells were saddened by the departure of so many local professional teams. However, their love for baseball inspired them to invest as minority owners in the new Oakland Ballers, a minor league team bringing fresh energy and excitement to the East Bay. “We’re really excited about it and hope this can be part of a resurgence for baseball in Oakland,” Greg shares. “It’s something we believe in and want to help build awareness and support for.”
The Russells also deeply value giving back. They support Sentinels of Freedom, a non-profit helping wounded veterans transition home with education and career support — a cause close to Greg’s heart as his father was a Marine wounded in Vietnam.
At home, the Russells are kept company by their two beloved dogs: Hopie, their sweet 11-year-old Golden Retriever, and Rosco, their spirited 3-year-old Corgi who “thinks he owns the world.” The family has lived in Hidden Oaks for the past five years, after previously living in Danville’s Cameo neighborhood for twelve years. They feel blessed to have found a safe, welcoming community where their family can thrive. They love traveling to Maui, spending time at their home in Tahoe, and are currently working toward visiting every Major League Baseball stadium in the country, having already checked off eight last year alone.
Looking ahead, Greg and Eggie hope to use their experience to support other immigrants trying to navigate the complicated U.S. immigration system. “Information, education, and resources are so needed,” Greg shares. “We’d love to someday help those who are walking the path Eggie once did.”
At the core of everything is their deep commitment to family. “We simply want our kids to be happy and healthy,” Greg says. “Family is everything and worth the effort.”
By Megan Scott, Resident since 2010
Photos courtesy of the Russell family