Wally Amos
Founder of Wally's Famous Amos cookies
"The face that launched a thousand chips," Wally Amos is the father of the gourmet cookie industry. As inventor of "Famous Amos" cookies, his story is the quintessential American success story.
The "Famous Amos" cookie tale began when the talent agent began using his bite-sized cookies as calling cards. At the urging of his friends and clients, he launched the Famous Amos Cookie Company in 1975 with a Sunset Boulevard storefront in Hollywood. The business grew and in 1985, Famous Amos cookies was a $10 million business. Great products are not built on great taste alone, and Famous Amos' success is as much due to Wally's infectious enthusiasm and tireless promoting as it is to the cookies' delicious taste.
While he left the brand after it changed hands several times between 1985 and 1998, he never lost his entrepreneurial zeal or passion for baking and promoting. His most recent venture is a Long Island-based Uncle Wally's Company, which produces a full line of muffins.
Before his cookie foray, Wally spent a stint in the Air Force (where he earned his GED), and at Sak's in New York. He then joined the William Morris Talent Agency and worked his way up to become the firm's first black agent. While at William Morris, Wally represented The Supremes and Marvin Gaye, and he is credited for signing a then-unknown duo named Simon & Garfunkel.
Wally has appeared on hundreds of television and radio shows, appeared in various network sitcoms and acted as spokesman for Hush Puppies, United Airlines, and the California Egg Board. He is host and teacher of 50 adult basic learning programs on PBS and has authored five books, his most recent being "The Cookie Never Crumbles ... Inspirational Recipes for Everyday Living."
In addition to his business, Wally devotes a great deal of time and passion for literacy causes, serving as national spokesman for the Literacy Volunteers of America and acting as a board member for the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities in Schools.
Wally Amos, 69, has been married for 29 years to his wife Christine. They reside in Hawaii.
MOST REQUESTED PROGRAMS:
The Cookie Never Crumbles Wally Amos is a man of wisdom, a man of humor, and a man of joy. And he has learned the greatest secret in life: You can be happy no matter what. Wally will share his inspiring collection of "recipes," and tell you how adversarial situations are often blessings in disguise, and how the lessons we learn in life sometimes come from the most unexpected places. The Cookie Never Crumbles is Wally's philosophy, and during his lecture he will tell you, through touching, hilarious, thought provoking stories, how you can adopt this philosophy for you.
From Wally's childhood, up through his days in the entertainment business, to the creation and loss of "Famous Amos" cookies, and to his current way of life, Wally Amos struggled, adapted, and finally triumphed. His inspirational advice will make you laugh, make you dream and make you think. This is a message built on faith!
The Power In You This program is designed to demonstrate that life is an inside job. Using his personal experiences, Wally explores the power in words, faith, enthusiasm, giving, attitude, love and other positive aspects of life to help the audience connect with their inner power. Throughout the years that he has been speaking, "The Power In You" has proven to be an excellent vehicle for building self-esteem and confidence.
Relationships Are Partnerships Drawing from his own relationships, both personal and business, Wally shares how organizations can achieve clearer communications, harmony and a sense of belonging for all employees. Because of his years of varied experiences and careers, plus his warm, personal and sincere delivery, he is qualified to show the advantages of teamwork. Wally shares his successes and his failures, which can act as a mirror to benefit your organization. When you strengthen your relationships and partnerships, you strengthen your organization.
A Recipe for a Successful Life What are the ingredients that have made Mr. Amos a success? Focus, Teamwork, Follow Through, Balance. An enlightening experience where the audience will explore their own belief system and evaluate their own values. A super charged speech for anyone or any company ready to turn their lives, career, or corporation around. (By the way, you have to book Wally to get the rest of the recipe.)
Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life Hawaii's beloved "Cookie Man" focuses on helping people to shed the cultural stereotypes and myths that often cloud their decisions and misdirect their actions. Emphasis is placed on getting in touch with the truth of who we are now versus what we've been in the past. Participants will realize that each of us creates our own belief system and will learn how to transform the negative beliefs they may have into positive ones while simultaneously unlocking their inner power.
**Fees for Wally Amos INCLUDE airfare. Hotel and meals are billed to client's account. Client provides ground.
