One highlight of WRLC 2011 was DECA University, and one session – Entrepreneurship – was run by David Gass. He is an alumni of DECA and has had much experience in starting multiple businesses and being successful at doing so.

I actually arrived about an hour late, but there was much to be said about the rest of the session. When I asked him what he would tell an aspiring entrepreneur if he could say just one thing, he said, “Take action. You can’t start business if you don’t take action.” Learning strategies and techniques from him was extremely insightful – it wasn’t just theory, but someone speaking from experience, and much of it. He presented a few important aphorisms to follow when considering starting a business:

- “Sometimes, it’s better you hire someone you trust rather than to hire someone with ability.”
- “Leverage: Do more with less.”
- “CLARITY equals POWER.”
- “Revenue is for vanity, but profit is for sanity.”
- “Measure business value with net worth, but your own value with self worth.”

Starting your own business may be a confusing and difficult process, but it’s really something anyone can pursue as long as they’re confident in their own abilities and persevere. Remember to speak with power and present yourself with certainty. Of course, nothing will work out perfectly every time; but with a little bit of determination, success will come your way.

     Before I get some much needed rest (currently 2:43 am), I’d like to share my youtube channel with all you wonderful DECA members. I’ve been posting videos to my channel that have to do with WRLC and they range from getting ready, to actual events, and to interviews. There’s even footage of my chapter’s 7 1/2 hour bus ride here. Although after learning what happened to Social Media Intern Ross Snyder’s bus, I can’t really complain. (Check out the story Get Stranded, then GetDECA)

Here’s the link to my youtube channel and I try to publish the videos right after I film them!

http://www.youtube.com/vincentvelez93

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Vince Velez reminding you to GetDECA!

Did we pick the brains of our peers?

We did.

Did we ask them about WRLC?

We did.

Did we use social media to do so?

You bet we did!

   On Saturday, November 5th, we the Interns asked everyone we knew on our networks about topics concerning DECA or WRLC. We posted fill-in-the-blank questions on our Social Media sites for our peers to answer. Our mentor Jonathan Block assisted us by sharing an article regarding ways to spark engagement on a Facebook page, fill-in-the-blank questions were one of the ways. (Here’s the link http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/43887.aspx)

  Brittany Lucero (a talented intern from AZ DECA) posted: “Let’s see what amazing things DECA has done for it’s members. Fill in the blank. DECA has given me __________.”

   I replied with a simple one word answer that sums up what DECA has given me. DECA has given me everything. What has DECA given you?

   I on the other hand received answers that ranged from the topics of school pride, professional development, fun in the sun, and just downright silly responses.

   The question was: “I have a question for you. If I was at the San Diego DECA conference, I would ________”

• School Pride:

“Represent my school with pride. Swag.” -Zac Dejovine

“rep goldwater! &hangout on the beach!(:” -Paige Centa

“show everyone how legit the BGHS DECA chapter is!” -Aaron Brussels

• Professional Development:

“improve my interview skills with practice competition and improve knowledge of marketing and entrepreneurship by being an intern.” -Rafael Barraza

• Fun in the Sun:

“Go to the beach duhh ” -Kylee Roberts

• Silly Responses:

“pwn everyone” -Emuhly Geremia

“Not know what is going on (idk anything about DECA)”-Emanuel Boderas

  This message is to YOU, the future innovator; what are you going to do in San Diego for WRLC?

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This is Vince Velez reminding you to live for today and work for tomorrow.

As students attending these incredible conferences, sometimes we get lost in the excitement and forget about the people who make it possible– our sponsors! This year, Western Region DECA is extremely lucky to have 5 amazing companies supporting us, so lets show our appreciation and throw that support right back their way!

My challenge to you DECA members is to show your thanks through Social Media. Go and “like” these companies Facebook pages, follow them on Twitter and post or tweet to them your gratitude for being a vital part of our DECA family!

Our sponsors:

Safeway- www.facebook.com/Safeway
www.twitter.com/Safeway

TJ Maxx- www.facebook.com/tjmaxx
www.twitter.com/tjmaxx

FIDM- www.facebook.com/fidmcollege
www.twitter.com/fidm

Mens Wearhouse- www.facebook.com/menswearhouse
www.twitter.com/mens_wearhouse

POS Systems Group- They don’t have Facebook or Twitter pages yet but they will have an exhibit booth at WRLC so make sure you check them out there.

Among these 5, there will be many other companies with exhibits up at the conference. Make sure to drop by their booths and show them what DECA is all about!

Thanks guys! Be sure to add all of us interns on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn. We’ll be posting a lot of exciting stuff leading up to and during the conference that you won’t want to miss. All of our info is in the posts below. See you soon! 

Dear DECA innovators,

The following information is about your 2011 WRLC Social Media Team. We are all on board into publicizing this year’s conference and contributing our work into making this one unforgettable. Check out each person’s short bio and make sure to follow them on twitter and friend them on Facebook.

Let’s start with our Social Media Coach who will be our (intern’s) mentor in this chapter of our lives, Jonathan Block.

Jonathan Block

http://www.facebook.com/jonathanfblock

@JonathanFBlock

I help organizations communicate with strategy & clarity. I’m a consultant w/Accenture. Former Ass’t Press Sec to First Lady & political appointee at Dep’t of Justice

Victoria Cana

http://www.facebook.com/victoriacana?ref=pb

@victoriaccret

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/victoria-cana/2b/76b/ab7

Want to know Victoria’s secret? Twitter, Facebook, Yammer, LinkedIn. You name it, Victoria’s got it. Victoria Cana is Nevada DECA’s social media savvy VP of Publicity and an aspiring news anchor or PR Manager. She’s passionate about public relations, journalism, and all things DECA.

Dallas Davis

http://www.facebook.com/decadallasdavis?ref=pb

@DECAdallas

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=118607695&trk=tab_pro

Hey Western Region DECA, My name is Dallas Davis. I’m the New Mexico DECA Vice President of Membership and I look forward to the opportunities that await us at WRLC 2011. See y’all in Sunny San Diego.

Tyler Dyer

http://www.facebook.com/tjdyer?ref=pb

@thenameistyler

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tyler-dyer/41/891/75a

My name is Tyler Dyer I’m a member of WA DECA and the current VP of my DECA chapter. I am really excited to network with everyone at the conference and post about WRLC!

Kyunga Kim

http://www.facebook.com/kim.kyungna?ref=pb

@kkim_jqn

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=83297992

Hey! My name is Kyungna Kim. I’m currently VP of my DECA chapter, and I’m looking forward to working with you all at WRLC DECA 2011!

Brittany Lucero

http://www.facebook.com/brittanylucero16?ref=pb

@britannynlucero

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

I have been a DECA member for 4 years now and am currently “Aspiring Higher” by communicating with and leading others as an Arizona DECA State Representative.

Saurabh Mahajan

http://www.facebook.com/SaurabhMahajan12?ref=pb

@SawrubMahajan

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=101593043&trk=tab_pro

Saurabh Mahajan is a State President, Youth Governor, and small business owner among other things — but most importantly, he’s a friend.

Kavya Methukupally

http://www.facebook.com/KavyaMetro?ref=pb

@kavyametro

Hey Everyone! I’m Kavya Methukupally and I’m currently the Vice President at Foothill DECA. DECA has been an amazing experience for me. I can’t wait to meet all of you at WRLC!

Ross Snyder

http://www.facebook.com/rosssnyder21?ref=pb

@rossnyder

www.linkedin.com/in/rosssnyder21

Hey Everyone! My name is Ross Snyder and I am the Public Relations officer for the Pinnacle DECA Chapter in sunny Phoenix, AZ.

Ling Zeng

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1506174112&ref=pb

@linglingglinggg

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ling-zeng/41/b17/2b2

Hey! My name is Ling. I’m currently a member of Rancho Bernardo DECA and part of the Social Media Intern Team at WRLC DECA 2011. I’m so excited to get to interact with everyone and expand my network!

Vincent Velez (me)

http://www.facebook.com/v3velez

@v3velez

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?report%2Esuccess=88GfZh25oYpGMv_ncXhqwkk2axsD1cOiNrQErX7HNxy7raoMejQEhfBsYJTYoZpJLJh9oM

I’m from Arizona DECA, Barry Goldwater High School. I want to be an innovative entrepreneur. I enjoy staying fit: Competitive swimming, cross training, lifting.

Vince Velez reminding you to live for today and work for tomorrow.

Good morning/afternoon/evening fellow DECA innovators,

Check out the official WRLC 2011 Program at http://wrlc2011.org/program.html

The program touches on anything and everything you all need to know about the conference. It breaks down the dress code, the workshops, the featured events, hotel information, and much more. Also, I love that it introduces the speakers.

The four main speakers are National DECA president Claire Coker, Opening Sessions Speaker Bill Cordes, Mega Message Speaker Kelly Barnes, and Closing Session Speaker Phil Boyte.

Claire Coker is a talented leader who’s mission is to “ignite the DECA spark in members by keeping energized at all times – in and out of the DECA blazer.” Her mission is very inspiring because energy and enthusiasm fuel success in all our lives. You can follow her on twitter @clairecoker.

Bill Cordes is the author of The YOGOWYPI Factor and his programs have been featured in 47 states, to well over 2 million participants. His commitment goes further than just his career, it also carries over to his faith, his marriage, and his parenting. Follow him on twitter @billcordes

It doesn’t matter who Kelly Barnes is working with, whether it’s the United States President, or a High School Student, Kelly Barnes aspires to inspire society so everyone can discover their true potential. You can keep up with him on twitter @kellybarnes

Last but certainly not least, Phil Boyte and his passion for living and impacting others continues to stir people in a way that helps them find meaning in their lives. Follow our closing speaker on twitter @philboyte

I’m personally so excited for WRLC this year that I think about it probably once every ten seconds. I’m hoping everyone out there, from Guam to Washington, to California to Nevada, is ready to have a blast and aspire higher this year. I’m waiting to see all of your smiling faces.

Vince Velez reminding you to live for today and work for tomorrow.