NC IDEA Foundation and Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines Partner on NextGen Entrepreneur Series
DURHAM, NC – September 19, 2023 – NC IDEA, a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic empowerment in North Carolina, announced today that the organization is partnering with Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines, a council serving 41 counties in central and eastern North Carolina, to co-produce a series of workshops to help fourth to 12th-grade girls amplify their business skills and explore pathways to innovative leadership.
The one-day, interactive NextGen Entrepreneur workshops are rooted in the Girl Scouts’ entrepreneurship badge programs and the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program (IHEP), an experiential, problem-based learning curriculum designed to inspire and engage learners in the fundamental aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset, while immersing them in entrepreneurial experiences that will enable them to develop creativity and critical thinking, effective problem solving, teamwork, and other entrepreneurial skills – skills that will enable them to succeed regardless of their chosen path. Through its program NC IDEA MINDSET, NC IDEA endeavors to bring the power of entrepreneurial thinking to North Carolinians through the deployment of IHEP.
Participating Girl Scouts will earn their Entrepreneurship Badge and develop a plan for elevating their 2024 cookie business – the largest girl-led business in the world. Girls will also receive a roadmap for building a business idea, opportunities for ongoing virtual education, and an invitation to the NextGen Business Fair, hosted by Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center on May 4, 2024.
“Research shows that girls need additional support and encouragement in the entrepreneurial space,” said Laura Lee Davis, Vice President of Girl Experience at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. “That’s why we’re excited to bring girls several opportunities to hear from entrepreneurs, facilitators, and role models who will inspire them to lean into their communities. At the workshop, they will be encouraged to identify an opportunity for change, formulate an idea to make a difference, and put a plan into action to pitch their product or service. Being able to identify a problem, create a solution, and put it into action is an important business skill, but it’s also an essential life skill that can make our world a better place!”
All fourth to 12th-grade girls, not just Girl Scouts, are invited to register for NextGen Entrepreneur workshops, hosted by the following partners:
- September 23: Halifax Community College Small Business Center
- September 30: Durham Tech Small Business Center
- October 7: Robeson Community College Small Business Center
- November 4: Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library
- November 11: Wake Tech Small Business Center
- November 18: Cape Fear Community College Small Business Centered
Each community partner is offering a concurrent entrepreneurial mindset workshop for parents and other family members, free of charge. “When every family member has an opportunity to develop the entrepreneurial mindset traits of problem-solving, critical thinking, and community building – all with an internal locus of control – a powerful foundation and environment for business success follows, from family businesses to Girl Scout cookie businesses,” said Kate Wiggins, Program Support Manager at NC IDEA.
All fourth to 12th-grade girls – and their family members – can sign up for a NextGen Entrepreneur workshop at www.nccoastalpines.org.
About NC IDEA Foundation
NC IDEA is an independent private foundation committed to equitably empowering North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential. Through our powerful combination of competitive grants and programs and a network of strategic partners, we help entrepreneurs when they need it most. NC IDEA’s resources are highly competitive, enabling the Foundation to support North Carolina’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. We believe entrepreneurs transform communities and view our work as a catalyst for positive change. Learn more at ncidea.org.
About Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines
Behind every Girl Scout and volunteer is a team of local staff ready to help them earn that next badge, embark on a camping adventure, or organize an impactful service project. That’s what a Girl Scout council is. We are here to maintain camp properties, provide local Girl Scouts skill-building workshops and resources to achieve whatever they can dream up. Learn more at www.nccoastalpines.org.
