Deanna Lopez is an extremely talented and dedicated business student at Florida State University. As part of an entrepreneurship program, she helped start a retail business called Painted Gold that generated over $6,000 in sales. She played a key role in the business's financial management and growth. Deanna has also started two additional microbusinesses and takes on leadership roles in multiple student organizations while maintaining excellent performance in the classroom. Her professor describes her as a versatile, dynamic professional who would be an asset to any organization.

1. Rovetta Business Building, Room 325, 821 Academic Way, P.O. Box 3061110, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1110
850.645.4292 • Fax 850.645.0849 • business.fsu.edu
September 16, 2015
Re: Deanna Lopez – Letter of Recommendation
To whom it may concern,
I am writing on behalf of an extremely talented and dedicated young businesswomen, Deanna Lopez. I have had the pleasure of
teaching Deanna here at Florida State University since August of 2013.
Since her sophomore year, Deanna has consistently distinguished herself as a stand-out scholar in our entrepreneurship program.
As part of our “Sophomore Experience” Deanna worked with a strong team of young women to conceptualize, plan, fund, and
execute a retail business project called Painted Gold. Painted Gold started out with a $500 loan through the Jim Moran Institute
and went on to generate more than $6,000 in sales in a two year period. Deanna played a tremendous role in this growth through
her superior performance handling financial budgeting, product procurement, physical production of goods, and product
merchandising. Painted Gold had the fastest repayment period and growth of any business in the sophomore class.
Deanna’s passion for retail is evident. She has a keen eye for opportunity in this industry. Her diligence and drive to achieve the
goals she sets is remarkable. She excels in a fast-paced environment and is superior at multi-tasking. She spent countless hours
researching vendors and finding reasonably priced materials to keep up with Painted Gold’s rising demand while maintaining
affordable pricing for her customers. Deanna demonstrated prime organizational skills, creating Excel spreadsheets to keep up with
inventory and budget planning. Her efforts directly resulted in Painted Gold finding a unique way of combining dynamic industry
trends with the style of Florida State University women. Week after week, I witnessed Deanna’s handmade hair bows and FSU
inspired jewelry fly off the tables. Since her sophomore year, Deanna has gone on to start two more retail microbusinesses: Trash
Craft Company which specialized in handmade home décor and The Minimal Affinity, an online retailer and fashion community.
Deanna demonstrates immense reliability and efficiency in and outside of the classroom. As a work study student in the
Department of Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Information Systems, she helps successfully coordinate and execute the annual
university-wide Student Entrepreneurship Expo. She is an active member in the Young Entrepreneurship Society and Collegiate
Merchandising Association in addition to writing for Her Campus FSU and directing the continuity department a FSU’s radio
station, V89.
Deanna is a versatile, dynamic young professional and an absolute asset to any organization. I am pleased to be able to offer this
letter of recommendation and please feel free to contact me if more information is needed.
Sincerely,
James E. Dever, PhD
Professor and Entrepreneur in Residence
Department of Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Information Systems
James E. Dever, PhD | Department of Entrepreneurship Strategy and Informations Systems | Florida State
University | The College of Business | Rovetta Business Bldg, Room 253 l 821 Academic Way | P.O. Box
3061110 | Tallahassee, FL 32306-1110 | 850.644.7894 office | 850.644.5950
fax | jdever@fsu.edu | http://www.jmi.fsu.edu/About-Us/Faculty-Staff/James-E.-Dever