An Introduction....

When I was a kid growing up in Queens, NY, I had a buddy Steve down the street whose dad was a cookie rep.  Yes, a cookie rep.  Steve’s old man represented different bakeries around the city and sold their baked goods to restaurants, delis, whatever.
 
After school we would be playing stoop ball or box ball on the sidewalk in front of his house and Steve’s dad would come walking home from the bus stop, lugging this big, black wheeled case.  He’d wearily enter the house, remove his coat, glance at us and say, “If you guys want a snack, I got some cookies inside the sample case.”  And then he’d turn, go to the kitchen, and grab a can of Rheingold Beer.  And as Steve and I rummaged about inside the sample case, opening boxes, pawing through crumbs, we’d hear his dad cursing in the kitchen as he looked for a can opener.
 
I thought Steve’s dad had one of the coolest jobs around.  And no, that did not set me on a course to be a rep.  I wanted to be an astronaut.  When that didn’t work out I became a rep.
 
My current sample case can take the form of a briefcase, a duffel bag, or a backpack.  It’s often jammed with notes, catalogs, porcelain bakers, cooking gadgets, water bottles, and all manner of kitchen and tabletop items.  (There are often cookie crumbs in there as well.) 
 
When I meet with an account I like to bring more than samples:  creative ideas, special offers, insight, industry news, a bit of fun, and perhaps some cookies.  And that is exactly what this blog will try to bring to you.  Except for the cookies…unless you have one of those new USB cookie dispensers plugged in.