Try GOLD - Free
Making the First Sale
Entrepreneur
|October - November 2021
My sales career was almost cut short by my parents.
I was 11, a member of the Girl Scouts, and preparing to sell my first Thin Mints. I had just participated in what I would later recognize as my first sales meeting when our leader moms gave us our mission. “We get a lot of funds from our cookie sale so the troop can plan fun activities,” they said. Our goal was to sell at least 50 boxes each, which would make us eligible for the prizes. I did the math in my head. If I went to every house on my street and each neighbor bought at least one box, I would be halfway to my goal. Then I’d venture farther out, knocking on strangers’ doors and hoping to win them over.
This story is from the October - November 2021 edition of Entrepreneur.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur US
Your 5 New Favorite Things
With Emmy Award-winning tech expert Mario Armstrong's top finds, your 9-to-5 will have more joys and fewer frustrations-and your downtime will benefit too.
2 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
AUTOMATE YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE
Want to drive more business with less work—but still keep it personal? We asked a digital marketing expert who specializes in hyperlocal businesses for his top recommendations.
2 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
OUR BEST-EVER PROMOTION
Want to draw new customers to your business? Take inspiration from these shops on our list, who share their greatest attention-getting ideas.
3 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
DEALING WITH ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY
Many small businesses are feeling the impact of tariffs and other policy changes. Here's how they're managing.
2 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
'There's No Days Off'
What does it take to compete at the highest level? Billionaire Mark Cuban and NFL star Micah Parsons have the answers.
5 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
My Biggest Change as a Leader
Mindset shifts are hard, but they can be the key to success. We asked six business leaders how they began to look at things differently.
2 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
WHAT TOP PERFORMERS HAVE IN COMMON
Every franchise has a top-performing franchisee who drives the most business. These people tend to share two key qualities: a willingness to do the dirty work, and a purpose far bigger than profit.
10 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
HOW TO BUY A LOCAL BUSINESS
Want in on the mom-and-pop-shop life? It's easier (and more profitable) than you might think.
4 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
I SOLD MY SMALL BUSINESS. NOW WHAT?
Building a local business is hard. But saying goodbye isn't easy either. Here's what I learned—and what every small business owner should know.
5 mins
September - October 2025
Entrepreneur US
She Owns a $12 Million Staffing Franchise
After watching her mother run businesses in Indonesia, Josephine Suryono knew she'd one day do the same-just on a different continent.
2 mins
September - October 2025
Translate
Change font size