Wally Amos made one of the most famous cookies ever. He was born in 1936 in Tallahassee, Florida, and grew up in Harlem, New York City. In 1975, Wally opened his first cookie store in Los Angeles. He called it "Famous Amos Cookies" and learned how to bake from his Aunt Della. He created the recipe, the brand, the shop, and had the smile. It all came from him. He built the business from the ground up with a $25,000 loan from friends like Marvin Gaye. In just a few years, Wally became a national name. His face was on every bag in every store. But Wally didn't know business like he knew baking. He brought in investors, trusted the wrong people, and signed contracts without fully understanding what they meant. Wally struggled to keep up with the brand's rapid growth. By 1985, Famous Amos reported a $300,000 loss on sales of $10 million. That same year, he sold a majority stake in Famous Amos to Bass Brothers Enterprises. Slowly, he lost control. By 1988, he had no ownership, no royalties, and couldn’t even use his own name. Famous Amos was eventually sold to another company for $61 million, and that was over 55 times what Wally sold his stake for just a few years earlier. Still, Wally didn't get bitter. He stayed kind and joyful. He began reading to kids, promoting literacy, mentoring others, and sharing the tough lessons he learned about why ownership matters. He wrote uplifting books like "The Path to Success Is Paved with Positive Thinking." Wally Amos passed away in 2024. Even after being pushed out of his own dream, he kept showing up for other people. That’s what made Wally legendary. Not the money. Not the cookies. It was the way he chose to give no matter what was taken from him. 📸 (Photo: Wally Amos)

As a man, you need to build relationships with: 1. Doctors 2. Lawyers 3. Investors 4. Accountants 5. Police officers 6. Fitness Coaches 7. Real estate dealers 8. Various business owners Your network is your net worth.

50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather were once close friends and business partners, publicly calling themselves "The Money Team" (TMT). Their bond formed in the late 2000s, rooted in mutual respect for each other’s hustle—50 as a hip-hop mogul and Mayweather as an undefeated boxing champion. They were often seen together at events, promoting each other, and flaunting their wealth and lifestyle. In 2012, the relationship took a sharp turn. During Mayweather’s brief stint in jail for a domestic violence charge, 50 Cent claimed he took over responsibilities for TMT Promotions—a boxing promotions company they discussed launching together. Upon Mayweather’s release, 50 Cent expected a formal partnership, but Floyd reportedly distanced himself from the business side, leading 50 to feel slighted. 50 went on to launch SMS Promotions independently, and tensions escalated from there. The feud spilled into social media and interviews, with both men throwing jabs. 50 mocked Floyd's reading ability in viral posts, while Mayweather clapped back by flaunting his wealth and accomplishments. Despite occasional rumors of reconciliation, the relationship has remained rocky, marked more by public disses than any real truce. Their split highlights how business misunderstandings and egos can dismantle even the strongest public friendships.

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/labels-push-back-against-government-support-for-cox-communications-in-copyright-infringement-battle/

“THERE’S NO MONEY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY — THAT’S WHY I GOT OUT!” - Master P It’s not often you hear a music mogul who once built a $200 million empire tell the world that the very business that made him rich is “broke.” But that’s exactly what Master P—founder of No Limit Records and one of hip-hop’s most legendary entrepreneurs—did. In a now-viral clip, Master P boldly stated: “There’s no money in the music industry.” This is coming from a man who turned down a $1 million check from Interscope at a time when he didn’t even have a car—because he knew his worth. His logic? “If they’re willing to give me that, I’m worth ten times more.” Instead of taking the bait, Master P did something that changed the game: he secured an 85/15 distribution deal with Priority Records, where he kept 100% of his master recordings. That move put him in control of his music, his money, and ultimately, his legacy. Now, years later, he’s pulling back the curtain on what’s really going on behind the glitz and glam of the music biz: “The record labels will throw you an advance, flash some jewelry, maybe even a car… but they own YOU. They own your name, your sound, your image. That ain’t wealth, that’s slavery in diamonds.” Master P’s raw message is more relevant now than ever. With streaming services paying fractions of a penny per play, and record labels locking artists into long-term deals with smoke-and-mirror numbers, many rappers—even famous ones—are living paycheck to paycheck. In his words, “You need to OWN something. The money is in the brand, not just the bars.” His warning comes at a time when young artists are signing away everything for a taste of fame, not realizing the price they’ll eventually pay. “Don’t fall for the chain and the champagne,” P says. “Fall in love with the blueprint.” LESSONS FROM MASTER P’S TRUTH BOMB: - Don’t sign out of desperation. • Always ask, “What’s in it for me long-term?” • Learn the business before the business learns you. • Ownership > Exposure. • Advance money is a loan. Ownership is wealth. Master P’s message isn’t bitter—it’s a masterclass. And if you’re an aspiring artist, independent hustler, or just someone dreaming big, here’s the bottom line: The music industry doesn’t need another rapper. It needs more owners. #MasterP #NoMoneyInMusic #OwnYourMasters #IndependentHustle #HipHopTruth #MusicIndustrySecrets