Thousands of Girl Scouts learn economics and empowerment at Rosemont rally
When it comes to selling cookies, the 2015 Girl Scout isn't a pig-tailed pushover.
She's an entrepreneur.
"This is about having your own business and feeling what that feels like to experience the thrill of the close," says Jennifer Fredericks, vice president of product for the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
"This" is the biggest date on the Girl Scouts calendar: cookie sales. Before going door-to-door, thousands of girls learned economics and empowerment at a rally Saturday in Rosemont's Allstate Arena. Last year's top sellers - dubbed Cookie CEOs - were the celebrities, handing out autographed pictures and trade secrets to their peers.
From January to March, these girls will rely on budget spreadsheets and social media marketing campaigns to sell boxes of cookies - by the thousands. But beyond dollars and cents, the annual fundraiser for Girl Scouts troops teaches life skills, Fredericks said.
"It's about finding your voice. It's about being bold enough to ask," she said. "It's about being courageous enough and gracious enough that if you get a decline and somebody says no, you ask the next person and you keep going."
What's the trick to selling Thin Mints or Samoas? Think out of the box (pun intended) and stress a good bargain, says Morrigan Macho, a Cookie CEO who held the region's 2014 record with 4,323 boxes sold.
The Lincoln Park 14-year-old fashioned a dress out of cookie boxes and broke into dance to charm her customers.
"I have really good people skills, and it's because of Girl Scouts," the teen said. "You don't want to be shy."
A real-life executive was impressed by the air of professionalism with the older girls running booths and activities over two floors of the arena.
"They learn from each other," said Nancy Wright, CEO of the regional council.
Mike Gordon, Chicago Wolves president of business operations, explained the art of the sales pitch to scouts and their parents. After you close the deal, Gordon told his audience, follow-up with a thank-you note, a thoughtful gesture to customers.
"Just do one thing different," he told troops, who could take in a Wolves game after the rally.
Sam Ruiz, a 12-year-old from Hoffman Estates, made a necklace out of a few beads, a symbolic reminder to break down goals into manageable steps. She didn't see her fellow Scouts as competitors vying for the most sales.
"It's all teamwork," she said.