The Famous Amos cookie company is an American cultural icon. Each year, millions of delicious confections made by the company founded by Wally Amos are sold in stores nationwide. But despite early investments from his celebrity friends — including a soul legend — Wally Amos couldn’t keep Famous Amos afloat. Amos was an experienced Hollywood talent broker, but he didn’t know his way around the corporate world. What’s more, Amos — known for his perpetually sunny, upbeat demeanor — has no regrets about how it all went down. “If you sit around starting to feel sorry for yourself, and blaming everyone else for your position in life, it is like being in quicksand,” he said to the New York Times. “In quicksand, if you start flailing all about and panicking with each movement you go in deeper, but if you just stay calm and look about, chances are you’ll see a twig or something you can reach to pull yourself out. Or, if you stay there long enough someone will come and rescue you.” Let’s take...

When Wally Amos founded Famous Amos Cookies in 1975, he was navigating one of the most challenging times of his life. Newly divorced and struggling with the tides of pursuing Hollywood success, he went on to find major success in sweet treats. However, his success was not a solo effort. With early backing from celebrities like Marvin Gaye, Amos was able to sell approximately $300,000 worth of cookies in his inaugural year. The cookie brand is now paying it forward with the second round of entrepreneurial grants. In a May 19 press release, Famous Amos announced a partnership with the National Black Chamber of Commerce to launch the second cycle of the Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative . The entrepreneurial program is designed to offer grants and mentorship as essential tools and resources to assist Black business owners. Participants will engage in a pitch contest that provides a high-level overview of their business, why it will become a successful...