A few years ago I read an inspiring story about 13 year-old Girl Scout Danielle Lei.
Lei, a San Francisco tween set up a Girl Scout cookie stand outside of a marijuana clinic called The Green Cross and sales were unsurprisingly blazing. Lei sold 117 boxes in a matter of hours, proving that thinking strategically is always a good idea when setting up a business.
Now you can argue the whole idea of ethics and whatever, but I prefer to laud the fact Lei thought this one through.
I get tired of hearing the Panglossian adage that “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I prefer to set out intentionally with a goal and push hard to make it happen. The key of course is to proceed intentionally from the beginning!
Life is full of opportunity. If a person spent some time each day reading up on current events and trends, they’d have a huge advantage when proposing a new idea, seeking out a new client, or setting up a thriving business. Weather forecasters use computer models to give us a generalized reading, but we can do the same in our own professional lives by just staying tuned in.
Lei’s parents probably told her of the tendency of pot users to get a bad case of the “munchies.” Nothing cures that faster than Girl Scout Cookies. Now Lei could have set up her booth in front of a homeless shelter but the probability of selling even one box would be remote. She researched her ideal customer and made some money.
This week let’s be intentional about how we do business. Think about what you have to offer and figure out how to do it better, faster, cheaper, and to the right audience. I’m inspired by Danielle Lei. I only wish I had a box of Tagalongs right now!
