All Recent Articles

Filter by division:

Career Insights

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice: How Companies Use the Fall Season to Get Ahead

Oct 1, 2025

Seasonal marketing—whether in quick-service restaurants, retail or even your local grocery store—is a powerful strategy that celebrates the season and showcases entrepreneurial creativity.

Chapter Strategy

Baking Up Success: How Two DECA Chapters Use Cookies to Power Their SBEs

Sep 30, 2025

Two DECA chapters - Frankfort DECA and Broad Run DECA - are finding creative ways to use Otis Spunkmeyer cookies as more than just a sweet snack but also thriving school-based enterprises.

Compete

Get Ready for Round One of the DECA Virtual Business Challenge

Sep 30, 2025

You won't want to miss the annual DECA Virtual Business Challenge! DECA VBC is an official competitive event free to high school members. Participate and you could earn a trip to ICDC and a share of over $20,000 in scholarship money.

College Success

History Has Its Eyes on You: How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out

Sep 30, 2025

While Hamilton wrote 51 essays to defend the Constitution, we only have to write one for college. One simple yet weighted essay can redirect our lives. So here are three factors to consider as you brainstorm your college essay topic.

Chapter Strategy

Shop 'Till You Drop: Ways to Celebrate SBE Week At Your School

Sep 29, 2025

2025 DECA SBE Week is here, and we couldn't be more excited! Here are some ways to celebrate with your school-based enterprise.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Reduce, Reuse or Recycle - Hotel Renovations

Sep 29, 2025

Step into the role of the general manager of Lilac Inn, an independent hotel property in a city of 30,000 people. The owner wants you to identify waste redirection opportunities that could lead to a better brand image.

Career Insights

The Nitro Bar: A Coffee Cart turned Famous $4.5M Brand

Sep 29, 2025

In honor of National Coffee Day, here’s a Rhode Island success story that shows how smart marketing can transform a business from a coffee cart to a viral sensation.

College Success

Top 10 Test Taking Tips for the Digital SAT

Sep 27, 2025

If you’re planning to take the digital SAT, the good news is there are no secrets—the SAT isn’t out to trick you. Here are the top 10 test-taking tips from College Board, the makers of the SAT

Chapter Strategy

Advisor Best Practice Spotlight of the Week: Eric Wagner

Sep 26, 2025

DECA Advisor Eric Wagner is giving his students more than classroom lessons—he’s providing real-world financial and leadership experiences through the chapter’s student-run credit union.

Chapter Strategy

Mixing It Up: The Secret Recipe to SBE Success

Sep 25, 2025

It's important to curate the perfect recipe for your school’s SBE and come up with ingredients to make it the best experience for your students. Here are three ingredients for making your SBE successful!

Chapter Strategy

Unlocking Recruitment Success: Insights from 4 Chapter Leaders

Sep 25, 2025

Attracting new and recurring members is a process that requires planning, collaboration and perseverance. Here are 4 chapter leaders’ insights on how to succeed at DECA recruitment.

Spotlights

DECA Duck Takes Flight at Smithville High School

Sep 24, 2025

Smithville High School’s DECA chapter has a new mascot, DECA Duck. What started as just a blue rubber ducky idea has become a school spirit sensation at DECA events and recruiting activities.

Career Insights

From a Handshake to a Helping Hand: Connecting with Community Professionals

Oct 26, 2022

Stepping into a conversation with a professional can be intimidating, but with five key steps, you can create a connection that goes from an introductory handshake to a long-term career helping hand.

Spotlights

Sauk Rapids-Rice DECA's First Officer Induction Ceremony

Oct 24, 2022

Sauk Rapids-Rice DECA hosted its first successful officer pinning and induction! The event consisted of professional headshots, music, dinner, a formal presentation of the executive council and the induction of all other junior officers.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Using Research in Halloween Merchandising

Oct 24, 2022

Step into the role of the director of merchandising and operations for Fright Night Costumes. The senior vice president wants you to analyze new research information and decide how the stores should change current inventory.

Spotlights

Non-Traditional SBEs: Banks and Credit Unions

Oct 21, 2022

School-based enterprises usually emerge in response to an identified need in the marketplace for a particular product or service. These two gold-certified, non-traditional SBEs are switching things up by providing their schools access to banks and credit unions.

Leadership

From Your Chapter to Your Community: All Those in Favor Say, “Let’s Vote!”

Oct 21, 2022

This November, general elections will take place. After registering to vote, research local poll locations, schedules and each candidate running. Be prepared to stand in line for your turn to vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 8, 2022) or seek the availability of early voting.

Career Insights

Spotlight on Customer Service

Oct 17, 2022

What is customer service and why does it matter to your future career? Experts from Chick-fil-A, Men's Wearhouse, Publix and Walgreens share their thoughts.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Gambling with Financial Security

Oct 17, 2022

Step into the role of a financial advisor. A client has asked you for advice on investing for the future.

Spotlights

Blacksburg DECA's September Soiree Is a Success

Oct 14, 2022

In early September, Blacksburg DECA hosted its first annual "September Soiree" for potential members, including current marketing students and students enrolled in a marketing class next semester.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Peacocks on Board?

Oct 10, 2022

Step into the role of customer relations at Star Crest Airlines. Star Crest Airlines offers over 900 domestic flights daily and prides itself on its number one ranked customer service.

Leadership

Accepting Differences: Adding LGBTQ+ Inclusivity into Your Leadership Style

Oct 7, 2022

Tuesday, October 11, is National Coming Out Day. To many, this may be just an ordinary Tuesday, but for LGBTQ+ individuals, this is a day of celebration for being yourself—no matter how you identify. This article is the perfect stepping stone to help educate yourself and get the edge in an inclusive leadership style!

Partners

DECA Announces a New Partnership with Chick-fil-A

Oct 3, 2022

DECA is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Chick-fil-A! The partnership will focus on connecting local Chick-fil-A Operators with DECA chapter advisors, DECA members and chartered associations

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: In-house Wellness Opportunities

Oct 3, 2022

Step into the role of director of human resources for Mitchem Designs, a small graphic design firm. The owner of the company has asked you to recommend low-cost options for an in-house employee wellness program.