Five Firsts With Ginna Wilbanks, Editor of The Scout Guide Dallas

Photography by Tarin Frantz.

We’re always hoping to make a good first impression, and that first-time readers of The Scout Guide will put the publication down feeling inspired to learn more about the featured businesses—and, if they’re out-of-towners, to seek out (or start) a guide in their own hometown. In this series, we talk to our editors about their TSG “firsts,” from their first encounter with The Scout Guide to the first business they scouted and more. Read on to learn about how The Scout Guide Dallas editor Ginna Wilbanks discovered the brand, the first business she approached to be in the guide, and what it was like to launch her first volume.

When did you first discover The Scout Guide?

Born and raised only a few hours from The Scout Guide’s founding city of Charlottesville, Virginia, I feel like I’ve always known about The Scout Guide since its inception. I knew several editors and featured business owners from various TSG cities, including my hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. I was already a big fan before becoming involved myself, but it was great getting to hear firsthand how much they loved being a part of the guide. 

What made you decide to become an editor?

I relocated from New York City to Dallas in 2017 and was on the job hunt for only a few weeks when the former TSG Dallas Editor and I were introduced by a mutual friend. Already a longtime admirer of The Scout Guide, I jumped at the opportunity to become more involved! I worked in both the art and fashion worlds while living in NYC, so I felt this role would be a great way to combine multiple interests of mine and celebrate and explore all things local in my college town of Dallas. 

“There are countless wonderful aspects of this job, but the people you meet and the relationships you form are truly the best part.”

Tell us about the first business you approached to be in the guide.

A mutual acquaintance introduced me to Anna Curnes of Anna Lou Glass and the ALG Collective and we had such a wonderful time chatting and laughing that I don’t think I left the studio from our 4 p.m. meeting until four hours later. Anna has been a part of the guide ever since, but most importantly, she’s become a cherished friend and mentor. There are countless wonderful aspects of this job, but the people you meet and the relationships you form are truly the best part.

What was it like to launch your first volume?

Extremely exciting and also a bit terrifying! We put so much heart and effort into each guide, so it is incredibly gratifying to be able to hold the tangible product of many months of hard work. 

What’s the first thing you would tell a prospective editor?

Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride! This is a fantastic, fulfilling, and fun job, but as with most things, there are moments of stress. My biggest self-reminder each year is to really focus on the special product you are putting together and the relationships you get to form—and try not to dwell on any self-doubt or worry that may pop up along the way. 

To learn more about Ginna and The Scout Guide in her area, follow The Scout Guide Dallas on Instagram. Learn more about starting The Scout Guide in your city here.