Marvin Gaye heard through the grapevine that Wally Amos’ cookies were amazing. And when Gaye finally got to taste Amos’ cookies, he knew what was going on – there was a million-dollar business in the oven. So what made the empire crumble?
In 1985, Amos sold his remaining shares of Famous Amos for $1.1 million. However, when he opened a new cookie business in the early 90s, Wally Amos Presents, he had no idea he was breaching his contract.
Amos was slapped with a lawsuit for trademark infringement. He hadn’t realized he had sold his shares and the rights to his name. He later founded a muffin company under the name of Uncle Wally, because he was no longer allowed to sell cookies.
Uncle Wally was a successful brand, and Amos eventually sold it. In retirement, he became an advocate for children’s literacy and spent Saturdays reading to kids near his bake shop in Hawaii. Whether through cookies, muffins, or books, he always made people smile.
They took his name but they couldn’t take his spirit. Wally Amos’ journey highlights the flaws in capitalistic society, but more importantly, it reminds us that no system can diminish the impact we bring to this world. What will our liberation bake up next?