She Cashed Out Her $10K IRA to Build Utah’s Favorite Cookie Brand (in 2008) | RubySnap Cookies
03/06/25 • 56 min
✨ She walked away from a 15-year career in architecture, cashed out her $10,000 IRA, and risked it all on cookies—long before Utah’s cookie boom.
Back in 2008, Tami Steggell saw an opportunity to reinvent the cookie industry by using 100% real ingredients—no preservatives, no artificial flavors, no shortcuts. She founded RubySnap Cookies in a rundown Salt Lake City neighborhood, determined to make it a destination for gourmet, scratch-made cookies.
But building a premium cookie brand wasn’t easy. She lost her original trademark, scaled too quickly in 2018, pulled out of grocery store distribution, and had to shut down five locations—right before COVID hit. That decision ultimately saved her business and reinforced her belief that “bigger isn’t better—better is better.”
Now, RubySnap Cookies is a Salt Lake City favorite, known for its high-end ingredients, bold flavors, and nostalgic branding. Tami’s story is one of entrepreneurial risk, resilience, and redefining the cookie industry in Utah and beyond.
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🍪 Find RubySnap at: http://www.rubysnap.com/
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🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker
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✨ She walked away from a 15-year career in architecture, cashed out her $10,000 IRA, and risked it all on cookies—long before Utah’s cookie boom.
Back in 2008, Tami Steggell saw an opportunity to reinvent the cookie industry by using 100% real ingredients—no preservatives, no artificial flavors, no shortcuts. She founded RubySnap Cookies in a rundown Salt Lake City neighborhood, determined to make it a destination for gourmet, scratch-made cookies.
But building a premium cookie brand wasn’t easy. She lost her original trademark, scaled too quickly in 2018, pulled out of grocery store distribution, and had to shut down five locations—right before COVID hit. That decision ultimately saved her business and reinforced her belief that “bigger isn’t better—better is better.”
Now, RubySnap Cookies is a Salt Lake City favorite, known for its high-end ingredients, bold flavors, and nostalgic branding. Tami’s story is one of entrepreneurial risk, resilience, and redefining the cookie industry in Utah and beyond.
🤝 Join the UtahPreneur community page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1B5LVFu4RU/
🍪 Find RubySnap at: http://www.rubysnap.com/
📲 Subscribe to The Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur
🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker
🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now!
Follow Us:
@utahpreneur on Youtube and TikTok
@utahpreneurpod on Instagram and X
Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more!
Get in Touch:
Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]
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Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world!
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Check out our website at utahpreneur.co for bonus episodes, show notes, and exclusive insights.
Previous Episode
This Running Store Went From Barely Surviving to a 30 year legacy | Salt Lake Running Company (SLRC)
✨For 30 years, Salt Lake Running Company has been more than a store—it’s been the go-to destination for Utah’s running community.
Back in 1995, SLRC started as a small specialty shop in Salt Lake City. Three decades later, it’s one of the most trusted names for runners of all levels. But staying in business for this long—especially in retail—is no easy feat. Competing against big-box retailers and online giants, SLRC has built a brand that thrives on expert advice, high-quality gear, and a deep connection with its customers.
In this episode, we dive into how Salt Lake Running Company has adapted over the years, what it takes to build a lasting retail business, and the role community plays in their success.
Don’t miss this one. And if you haven’t already, check out last week’s episode with Sean Collins of Costa Vida and FatCats—his story of scaling two household names is packed with insights on risk, resilience, and business growth.
🤝 Join the UtahPreneur community page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1B5LVFu4RU/
👟 Find SLRC at: http://www.slrc.com/
📲 Subscribe to The Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur
🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker
🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now!
Follow Us:
@utahpreneur on Youtube and TikTok
@utahpreneurpod on Instagram and X
Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more!
Get in Touch:
Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]
Support the Show:
Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world!
More Content & Resources:
Check out our website at utahpreneur.co for bonus episodes, show notes, and exclusive insights.
Next Episode
Ex-Cons Run This 7-Figure Business—And Rebuild Their Lives | The Other Side Academy
🎙 After spending 15 years in prison, Dave Durocher had two choices—continue down the path that led him there or turn his life around. He chose the latter, and today, he’s the Executive Director of The Other Side Academy, a two-year residential program in Salt Lake City that helps ex-convicts, addicts, and those looking for a second chance rebuild their lives.
In this episode of UtahPreneur, Dave shares his raw and inspiring journey from incarceration to leadership, the life-changing model of The Other Side Academy, and how their self-sustaining businesses—like a moving company and a thrift store—fund their mission without government assistance.
🤝 Join the UtahPreneur community page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1B5LVFu4RU/
➡️ Find The Other Side Academy at: https://www.theothersideacademy.com/
📲 Subscribe to The Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur
🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker
🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now!
Follow Us:
@utahpreneur on Youtube and TikTok
@utahpreneurpod on Instagram and X
Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more!
Get in Touch:
Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]
Support the Show:
Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world!
More Content & Resources:
Check out our website at utahpreneur.co for bonus episodes, show notes, and exclusive insights.
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