Amelia Eckhardt improves the world with cookie store and other projects
LANDGROVE, VT – Amelia Eckhardt may be only 6 years old, but she has the drive, confidence, and business savvy of any CEO. This Girl Scout Daisy and homeschooled first-grader is working hard to make the world a better place with Girl Scout Cookies, potholders, and her can-do attitude.
“Last year was her first cookie season,” said her mother, Kimberly Eckhardt, of Landgrove. “She set herself a lofty goal of 500 cookie boxes sold. To give you some perspective, there are only 120 people who live in our town. But, that was what she wanted to work towards, so that was what we set. I told her that although I would help her, I would not do anything for her. For example, Amelia needed to learn to dial the phone and have conversations in order to sell cookies. She had to have conversations with adults in person as well.”
Kimberly set up a staff meeting at her workplace, and let Amelia do her Girl Scout Cookie presentation and field questions all on her own.
“She built a lot of confidence doing this, and by the end of February, she was chatting up everyone about cookies!” Kimberly said. “A woman in the hot tub at the ski mountain told Amelia she would love to buy cookies from her, but she doesn't live in Vermont. Amelia replied with, ‘That's OK, I have a business card with the address of my online cookie store! You can buy there and ship to your home.’ The other guests at the hot tub were suitably impressed as well, and that nice woman purchased cookies!”
Why does she do it? “Everyone can make a difference if they want to!” said Amelia.
She’s said she’s learned to always say please and thank you, and always be nice to people
Amelia has been homeschooled during this COVID-19 pandemic, and learned about sea turtles being hurt by plastic waste in the ocean. She decided to “get a job” to donate money to support turtles, and came up with the idea of weaving potholders to sell.
“She determined fair prices, and went to it,” Kimberly said. “Since we could not do any in public really, she decided to create flyers to advertise. We rode our bikes miles upon miles to put flyers in mailboxes. She talked to people on the phone. Eventually, when things started opening up over the summer, she chatted with people in person. She talked to a store owner, and they offered her space to do a pop-up shop and reach more customers. She jumped on this, too. She talked to all the customers, answered all their questions, and was quite confident in what she was doing, and why.”
Why potholders? “It’s the only thing I know how to make, besides hugs, but those are free!” she said.
Amelia has been busy with this since last April, and made donations to two charities, with a third lined up.
Kimberly credits the Girl Scout Cookie Program with giving her daughter the skills to be a success, even at this young age.
“I have no doubt that the confidence she gained during cookie season is how this has come about, and part of why she believes that she can make a difference at six years old,” she said.
Girl Scouts offers the best leadership development experience for girls in the world. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that help girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. When you make a Girl Scout Cookie purchase, you’re helping the next generation of entrepreneurs get an important taste of what it takes to be successful: teamwork, planning, and a positive outlook. Because proceeds from your purchase stay local, you also help create positive change in your community by powering life-changing experiences for Girl Scouts all year long.
Girl Scout Cookies are being sold through March 22. Find your local Girl Scout to buy cookies for yourself or to donate to the military and hometown heroes at www.girlscoutcookies.com or download the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app to your smartphone.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
