Cookie Seller to Business Major

Girl Scout Cookies Truly Empowering 

By: Ashley Eisert, Gold Award Honoree and Lifetime Girl Scout

Ashley (pictured above) is a freshman at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, majoring in Business Administration.  She was a Girl Scout from the time she was in kindergarten and has sold more than her share of Girl Scout Cookies through the years.  This is her story about the important role the Cookie Program has played in helping her develop educational goals and as a member of her community.  

Well, it is that wonderful time of year again – when it’s acceptable to indulge in a few extra calories and enjoy yourself. A year of endless waiting has finally come to an end as Girl Scouts in local communities prepare in full-force for the weeks ahead. That’s right! Your favorite Girl Scout Cookies are here – and this time, they’ll be sure to catch your eye. The boxes now carry a new look with the same great taste! And joining the Girl Scout cookie family this year are Mango Crèmes. Cookie door-to-door sales begin Friday, February 15.

Girl Scout Cookie sales are all too familiar to me. I have been a Girl Scout for thirteen years now and proudly serve as a co-leader for a local Honor Troop. I have sold cookies in rain, shine, snow, and below zero temperatures. No matter what conditions Mother Nature may present, I always have a smile on my face and order forms ready in hand. The excitement never ceases to end, because each year holds new opportunities to grow and learn.

Girl Scouts truly empowers young girls in reaching their full potential by strengthening skills and building lasting connections in the community. Life is full of surprises and unknown obstacles, but Girls Scouts gives girls the skills needed to overcome those obstacles and to meet those surprises with an open heart and mind. Had I not made the choice to be a Girl Scout, I may not have gained the proper skills which have helped me in achieving my goals today.

Several of these skills are learned through selling Girl Scout Cookies. Many people may see a simple transaction of a box of cookies, but Girl Scouts see it differently. We see an opportunity to strengthen ourselves in five key areas. Girl Scout Cookie sales teach Girl Scouts: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics.

Each of these skills can be acquired through Girl Scout Cookie sales and through years of experience. Every Girl Scout develops these skills as they actively participate in troop planning meetings before and after sales. Girls are encouraged to share their ideas and opinions with those in the troop. By doing so, they build confidence and people skills, as well as, the other five key area skills. Girls are even included in financial matters. Troops plan what to do with the money earned and how many boxes of cookies they need to sell to meet those goals.

Through my many years of experience, I have acquired a great deal of skills in all the five key areas. From these experiences, I was able to choose a college major best suited for me.  Girl Scouts has greatly impacted my decision to major in Business Administration. I am a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and already I am seeing familiar teachings, and skills, in my business courses. Selling Girl Scout cookies has revealed to me many aspects of the business world and my years of selling have prepared me for my future career path.

Looking back, I had little understanding that selling Girl Scout Cookies could have prepared me for the life I now lead. I encourage all current Girl Scouts to continue with the program and to meet every opportunity with an open heart and mind. The skills you learn now, and continue to learn, will help you tremendously in the future – believe me, I know. I am proud to call myself a Girl Scout and I am excited for this year’s “cookie season” to begin so I may continue to grow and learn – as I hope you all will, too.

Pictured above: Ashley selling cookies with her younger sisters, Madison (middle) and Brianna (right) during last year’s cookie season.