By Lisa Kiplinger-Kennedy, Business & Entrepreneurship Regional Director, Inland Empire/Desert Region

No doubt, you are familiar with the Girl Scout Cookie Program–the largest entrepreneurship program for girls in the entire world. This program molds girls’ characters, with traits like self-esteem, resilience, tenacity and grit; all resting upon a foundation of business skills and tools that they will utilize for a lifetime.

This coming year is one of unimagined opportunities; some would say challenges, for the girls as they set out to become entrepreneurs by working their cookie businesses. What we do know is that support from their communities is the key to all the girls’ successes. So long as SHE has opportunities to talk about her goals, her plans, and her troop’s community service projects then she will be able to work her business in spite of obstacles the world may throw at her.

This is where you can help. We are looking for faculty willing to assist girls in honing their entrepreneurial skills. We are asking for a 45-minute commitment from you as a leader. During the month of February, we ask that you invite a troop of girls to “pitch” to you their business plan and share with you and your students “The Power of The Cookie.” The idea is to then get constructive feedback from the students in the class. It would be a learning experience for the girls and the students.

We have created a very easy sign up form. Once you’ve signed up, we will send a reminder that a troop will be calling to set up an appointment with you. They will be responsible for sending you the link to the meeting and hosting their own presentation. You merely need to sit back and learn about the wonders a delicious box of cookies can bring. Then, if you are so inclined, which we hope you will be, you or your students can place an order for cookies to support their girl-led business.

Please take a minute to look at this quick video with the reasons why you will want to ask a troop to “pitch” to you. https://youtu.be/leym7UIy6h8