Story and photo contributed by Emma Acosta, Girl Scouts of Central Texas
Taking on an audacious goal like selling 1,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies over five weeks can be daunting, even in a typical year. Like many business owners across the nation, even Scouts face new obstacles as they work their cookie businesses in difficult times.
Local Success
But, pandemic or not, and as she has done every year since she was a little girl, Georgetown Scout Kyleigh VanDyke set a 2021 sales goal for her Girl Scout Cookie business. Despite school and extracurricular obligations, she has met her goal every year, and during the 2019 and 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program, sold more than 1,000 boxes. She hopes this year will not be the exception.
“Girl Scout Cookies are one of the most well-recognized things about Girl Scouts,” said Kyleigh. “This year, it has been more challenging because of the limited number of cookie booths available.” She added, “The thing that has worked best for me is setting up a sign in my front yard with a QR code linked to my Girl Scout Cookie website. Customers can pay online and request either contactless delivery or direct shipping straight from the baker. I think it has worked well because more people are getting outdoors and taking walks through the neighborhood. Now, I’m able to continue taking cookie orders even while I’m busy with other extracurricular activities.”
RECORD SALES
During the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie Program, Kyleigh was one of three local high school girls, and one of only 14 in the whole program, to sell 1,000 or more cookie boxes. In 2020, she challenged herself again to reach that 1,000+ cookie box goal. “Selling cookies has given me more confidence in general. I know it may not be easy every time, but I know if I keep trying, I can meet my goals,” said Kyleigh.
Over the years, Kyleigh didn’t just gain more confidence interacting with people, she also took on more advanced tasks like cookie sales projections and inventory management.
Her advice to young Girl Scouts, “If you’re trying to sell too many cookies to the point you don’t like it, it’s okay to slow down and try again the next year.”