We were lucky to catch up with Debbie Sam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Debbie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses.

I’ve spent my whole working life in a family business, from the time I was 11 years old I was an active participant and not necessarily out of choice. My father had a dream, a vision and there’s nothing more rewarding than the recognition that it molded me into the person I am today. I grew up with an extraordinary sense of family, work ethic, passion and desire.
My parents worked together raising a family and running a business. I admire anyone that’s able to do that, it requires a tremendous amount of patience, understanding and flexibility.

Debbie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born a butchers daughter, my father (Wayne Sam) was an old school California butcher with the dream of opening his own local butcher shop. It was a mere dream until the opportunity arose in 1974 and he packed up his family and followed his dream to Colorado. I was one of my parents four children; I have two sisters (Irene and Karen) and one brother (Ken) and we all worked in our parents little local grocery store, that’s main attraction was the full service meat counter.

As a child I didn’t understand the risks and sacrifices my parents would endure while running a business and raising four children. I’m certain that working wasn’t necessarily a choice, yet the way we grew up. We learned the importance of work ethic, dedication and core family values. I’m not going to say that it was easy there was its share of sibling rivalry and we fought, we laughed, we cried and grew together as a family. My mother (Sally) was the loving force and glue that kept the family balanced.

When I was asked to write my story, it’s difficult not to sound repetitive and then I recognized that this incredible craft is becoming a dying art and it’s the small butcher shops that will continue to keep the art alive. I feel fortunate to play part in keeping my fathers legacy alive. It’s interesting that I don’t ever recall saying that when I grow up, I want to be a butcher or run a meat market. Yet here I am, the only child that followed in my fathers footsteps.

In October of 1982 Sam’s Meat Market in Aurora opened; my brother was 22 and I was 19 and that’s when our life lessons began. Quite frankly we thought we knew everything to quickly find out that we had a lot to learn. Sibling rivalry still existed and we had to learn how to work together as a team.
My parents were pretty wise and provided us with a full blown life education. My brother left for law school in 1994 and I continued on. It wasn’t until I was handed the reigns that I could finally understand the sacrifices, the full dynamics of complete and total exhaustion and fear that my parents had endured in those early years.

By 1997 I had three children; Pamela, Michelle and Parker. It can be a balancing act running a business and raising a family. Then by 2000 I found myself a single parent raising three kids on my own. I’m not going to pretend that it was easy, yet I’m certain it was necessary. Raising my kids became my driving force. I had wonderful family support, I had a great team and the most phenomenal clientele.

At Sam’s you’ll discover the old fashion quality and pride that my father had instilled in me. My goal is to locally source the highest quality products available on the market. We have an extensive 48 feet of full service counters filled with fresh cut beef, pork, bison, lamb and poultry. Homemade and specialty sausages, as well as a full line of seafood and deli meats and cheeses.

My dream was to create a space that felt like an entirely different world when you stepped inside and I was gifted with just that in 2018. With the help of designer Lynn Kegan and a host of wonderfully talented carpenters they brought my dream to life. I was able to incorporate 72 cubic feet of extraordinary exotics from kangaroo, ostrich, Himalayan yak, rabbits, elk, venison, pheasants, quail, turtle, alligator and everything I’m lucky enough to source.

At Sam’s you’ll discover a vast array of sauces, rubs and hopefully more than your imagination could grasp. We proudly show off the crafts of many local artisans, yet my greatest pride would be the wonderful community that have supported our little family dream and loved us into the next generation.

You’ll discover my amazing daughter; Pamela behind the counter with a smile on her face and my son in law: Matt custom hand cutting the counters. It’s still quite the family affair and they’re the two that give me hope of retirement one day.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Customer service is the most important aspect of any business. My parents taught me the importance of gratitude for every single person that supported our dream and I’m certain that there has never been a more supportive clientele than ours.

Keeping the art of meat cutting alive and sourcing the highest quality products available I’m still committed to the old fashion family traditions, which keeps my fathers legacy intact.

I’m open and willing to recognize that there are more opportunities to be had within the dynamics of my business and I’m willing to dream and learn.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a female in a male dominated industry, I had to learn that I was worthy and capable of running a successful meat market. Prior to my brother leaving for law school, I’m not certain anyone believed I could do it without him. As for myself, I didn’t think I had a choice and one thing I can say with complete certainty, is that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
I was loved and encouraged by the strong women in my life that believed in me and helped me to laugh when all I wanted to do was cry. I kept my spirits up and allowed others to develop their own opinions. and didn’t allow the opinions of others to sway me from my path.

Just imagine over 20 years ago what life was like for women in male dominated industries.
One thing my parents instilled in me was hard work always pays off and absolutely nothings impossible if you follow your passion.

In 2021 Sam’s was awarded with Colorado Companies to Watch and in 2022 I was indoctrinated into
Who’s Who of Professional Women. All of this was made possible by the customers and friends that have continued to support this little meat market of mine. My gratitude is beyond measure.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.samsmeats.com
• Instagram: @sams_meats
• Facebook: Sam’s Meat Market

Image Credits
Marla Rutherford Photography (Group Photo and Headshot)