Teen Cookie Seller Dominates in New York City
Ashley F., a 13-year-old from Brooklyn, has once again proven her skills in the world of cookie sales, becoming the top Girl Scout cookie seller in New York City for a second consecutive year.
This young entrepreneur from Bay Ridge sold an impressive 3,013 boxes of popular varieties like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs, surpassing her initial goal for the season.
“I raised my goal by 500 boxes compared to last year. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d win, but I really hoped to,” she shared. The previous year’s achievements motivated her greatly, especially since her troop was rewarded for selling over 2,500 boxes.
That accomplishment enabled her to take 30 troop members to a fun-filled day at Six Flags.
However, the backdrop of Ashley’s success is a decline in overall cookie sales across the city. The past year saw sales drop to 1.035 million boxes, along with an additional 65,000 donated through the Gift of Caring program. This falls short of the 1.1 million boxes sold last year and is a far cry from the peak of 2.2 million during the 2020-2021 season.
To tackle the issue of declining sales and maintain her position at the top, Ashley made some strategic shifts in her approach. Realizing her productivity at subway stations was lower than desired, she pivoted to a more effective method at locations like Prospect Park.
Drawing on her charm, she not only encouraged customers to buy multiple boxes but also introduced them to different flavors. Notably, Ashley discovered that her sales tended to spike toward the end of the season.
“At the outset, everyone rushes to place larger orders, but they don’t realize those aren’t for the entire year,” she noted. “By the end of the season, they tend to come back for more.” Her memory of a particularly busy day was vivid; “We had 16 cases, and it was a sell-out!”
According to Shari Krull, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater New York, Ashley’s enthusiasm and leadership are remarkable. “She truly embodies the ethos of the Girl Scout Cookie Program: entrepreneurship, confidence, and community involvement,” Krull remarked.
This year wasn’t solely about Ashley; other scouts also excelled. Amelia the Brownie topped sales in Manhattan, while Calilla the Cookie Star led in the Bronx. Queens’ Julia and Staten Island’s Antonella also showcased remarkable sales.
The Girl Scouts opted not to disclose the last names of the top-selling participants to respect their privacy. Meanwhile, a new fan favorite, Shin Mint, has overtaken Samoa, marking a shift in the cookie rankings, with Tagalong following in third place.
For Ashley, the highlight of the season has been the interactions she had with customers, whether standing on a snowy pile to serve those in their cars or selling regularly to a couple in her neighborhood she’s grown to know.
“It’s just fun for me!” she said, encapsulating the joy she finds in her work. “I get to hang out with my friends while doing it.”
