Until my visit this week with Miss Alexus Raymo, Communications Specialist for Girl Scouts Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, I was clueless about the endeavors, mission, and many many benefits of our local Girl Scouts programming.

I interviewed Miss Raymo for our public affairs show, Texarkana Matters. In she walked with cute heels, a wealth of information and a business card that said the following:

Building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Needless to say she dispelled they myths I had in my head about the program. Charge it to my ignorance, but I assumed Girl Scouts programs were all about learning how to tie really good knots, building tents, and selling girl scout cookies. Boy was I wrong. I have purchased more Girl Scout cookies than I can count, and quite honestly,  for no other reason other than of the party experienced in my mouth when I indulge.  Little did I know I was lending my support to the program overall, but ultimately to the little entrepreneurs who catch ya right outside the Sams exit door.

Before the ladies ever set up a table to sell cookies, they practice their pitch, decide how to run their cookie booth and manage payments all in effort to learn valuable skills that could lead to owning their own business or becoming a Fortune 500 CEO someday.  

There are five skills obtained through the Girl Scouts Cookie Program. They are as follows:

1. Goal Setting: Girls set sales goals and create a plan to reach them. This matters because girls need to know how to set and reach goals to succeed in school, on the job and in life.

2. Decision Making: Girls decide when and where to sell, how to market their sale and what to do with earnings. Girls need to know how to make smart decisions throughout their lives.

3. Money Management: Girls develop a budget, take orders & handle customers’ money. Whether it's an allowance or a paycheck, girls need to know how to manage money.

4. People Skills: Girls learn how to talk (and listen!) to their customers, as well as how to work as a team. This matters because it helps them do better in school and, later, at work.

5. Business Ethics: Girls act honestly & responsibly during every step of the Cookie Program. This matters because employers want to hire ethical employees and leaders in all fields.

So, the next time you even think about passing by a Girl Scouts Cookie Stand, think about the little female entrepreneurs you're supporting to one day run own and operate their own business of choic. Who runs the world? Girl Scouts!

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