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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.

DECA News

Vector Marketing and DECA Celebrate 20 Years of Partnership

Sep 12, 2025

DECA proudly celebrates 20 years of partnership with Vector Marketing Corporation - a collaboration that has empowered DECA members and educators to succeed in and out of the classroom.

Chapter Strategy

Here Are 5 Themes for Your Next Chapter Meeting

Sep 12, 2025

Meeting themes are a great way to show your school that DECA is extraordinary. They also encourage and persuade someone unfamiliar with DECA to attend the meeting, boosting member retention.

Career Insights

Generation Z’s Buying Power is Reshaping Retail Trends and Revitalizing Malls

Sep 11, 2025

NRF’s Hot 25 Retailers list reflects the growing influence of Generation Z, and it likely won’t be the last list to do so. These retailers offer shoppers engaging experiences and curated events.

Chapter Strategy

Three Hats, One Head: Balancing School, Work and DECA

Sep 10, 2025

Between classes, jobs and DECA, finding balance takes that extra effort. Here are four tips to help you effectively balance responsibilities and make the most of every opportunity! 

DECA News

How to Place a Custom Order with Shop DECA

Sep 10, 2025

Looking to personalize your DECA gear? The Shop DECA team has made creating and ordering custom merchandise for your chapter simple and easy.

Spotlights

Alumni: Tell Us Your DECA Story!

Sep 8, 2025

DECA Inc. is excited to launch a new platform for alumni to share their DECA stories, become future volunteers and get involved with their associations.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Luggage For Rent

Sep 8, 2025

Step into the role of an entrepreneur looking to develop a new project. A friend has an idea for a new business but needs help developing it into a feasible venture.

Chapter Strategy

Shop DECA FAQs & Answers

Sep 5, 2025

How do I get a new blazer patch? Can I exchange or return a blazer? What is DECA+? The Shop DECA team is here to help answer some of your most frequently asked questions about Shop DECA products and processes.

DECA News

DECA and the NRF Foundation Celebrate 30 Years of Partnership

Sep 4, 2025

For three decades, DECA Inc. and the NRF Foundation have shared a powerful vision: preparing the next generation of leaders for success in retail and beyond. This year, we proudly celebrate 30 years of collaboration, innovation and student impact.

Spotlights

From the Soccer Field to the DECA Stage: Starting the Kingwood High School Chapter

Sep 3, 2025

From chasing Division 1 dreams on the soccer field to building one of Texas's fastest-growing DECA chapters, I discovered that true leadership is about more than wins. It's about finding your voice, creating community and inspiring others to rise.

Chapter Strategy

Building and Leading a Strong Officer Team

Sep 3, 2025

Building a strong DECA officer team takes effort, but it can make all the difference in a chapter's success. Explore the values that build a strong chapter officer team!

Spotlights

Stepping Into DECA: Lessons From My First Year

Sep 3, 2025

Are you a student who's new to DECA? If so, here's my advice from someone who was once in your shoes.