Meet Sam Opdenbosch Salesperson + Baker | Sales Representative + Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Opdenbosch Salesperson + Baker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam Opdenbosch, how has your background shaped the person you are today?

I am from a small town in Texas called Victoria, we lived just on the outskirts and my parents still live there. My father has always been my biggest cheerleader and when it came to starting my own business it was easy to implement lessons from my childhood. I was rather lanky and uncoordinated when I was young. I tried out for sports teams and didn’t make it, which was no surprise. My father would tell me that if I practiced enough and had discipline things would change and he was so right. In business I still do the same with practice and discipline.

For most of my career I have been a salesperson during the day and a baker on nights weekends. I have always made cookies to give to clients for as long as I can remember. Anytime I would be delivering samples or doing presentations for my sales job, clients would always ask if I had cookies. In 2018 I made it official and created Sam’s Cookie Company. In 2020 I lost my sales job due to covid and had to decide what I wanted to do. I decided I wanted to do exactly what I was doing but for myself and it’s been a great transition. Working for myself has been incredible and extremely rewarding.

I’m normally a heads down worker bee but decided to put myself out there and audition for Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge and crazy enough I made it! It was an incredible experience and I was as nervous as can be. I was so surprised when they announced my name as the winner. Watching the episode next to my father was the absolute best Christmas present I could have ever gotten. Being able to donate all of the winnings was icing on the cake, I mean cookie.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I have been baking sugar cookies for about 12 years or more. For the longest time I would buy cookie cutters like everyone else and decorate. After spending a lot of money on cookie cutters and waiting for them to arrive only to find they would not make it in time.

Now I have combined my love for technology and cookies together. Instead of waiting for purchased cookie cutters I now model my own in Fusion 360 and print them as needed on my 3d printer. I have an entire facebook community and membership dedicated to teaching people how to decorate, model and 3d print their own cookie cutters for themselves. I love to empower bakers to see their original designs come to life. Their workflow doesn’t stop anymore, it just keeps going with no waiting time.

It wasn’t easy in the beginning to find the right resources to get the right information at your fingertips and that’s why I created Sam’s Cookie University. It’s a safe place to ask for any kind of cookie and cutter help. If you’re persistent, disciplined and you practice an an entire world will open up to you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I would take my friends to some of the most fun antique markets on the west side. I’d definitely stop in by Star Provisions for a proscuitto and butter sandwich on a french baguette and swing by the Floral Park Market for some really beautiful breads, culinary snacks and great wine to nibble on at home in the evening.

I’d see if we could do a wine tasting at Perrine’s or Barcelona. We would go to Scott’s Antiques or Lakewood 400 and grab some vintage cutting boards or interesting tchotchkes.

If the weather was nice I’d check out the scavenger hunt by Clue Town and explore the Beltline for some great people watching. If there was enough time maybe swing by Ponce City Market and shop a little.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would say the 2 most amazing men in my life, my father and my husband have been incredibly supportive. My father for instilling perseverance and an incredible work ethic and my husband for believing in me more than I believe in myself.

Website: https://www.samscookiecompany.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samscookiecompany/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samscookiecompany/

Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/samscookieuniversity

Image Credits
Becca Price