Western New Mexico University student and Delta Mu Delta International Business Honor Society President Vladimir Gnilozubov discusses business in New Mexico with Congressman Steve Pearce.Members of Delta Mu Delta Learned About Business in New Mexico From Longtime Representative

Silver City, NM – Nearly 40 Western New Mexico University students and public citizens attended Congressman Steve Pearce’s educational talk about business in New Mexico on campus Monday.

The members of Delta Mu Delta, the international business honor society, hosted the event and asked Pearce to speak from a business owner’s perspective since he and his wife owned and operated an oilfield services firm in Hobbs.

“The idea was for students to listen to a professional and learn from his experiences so they can use his knowledge in their own futures,” said President of Delta Mu Delta Vladimir Gnilozubov. “For students, it was nice to hear from him.”

Pearce, who is in his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, spent time getting to know the audience — Western New Mexico University students from Mexico and Hawaii, local business owners, and interested citizens — and took a few questions.

He said he started his first business at age nine. “Early on, I found revenue and expenses need to be balanced. Or hopefully, revenues exceed expenses.”

The congressman described what he believes to be the number one rule of business. “Pay your bills on time. If you do, you’ll sell your product at the right price and collect the money from those sales in order to pay your bills,” he said.

Pearce cited a time when his business struggled but then experienced a solid recovery. He said he worried the firm would have to close its doors, but because they hadn’t laid off any employees, Pearce said the business was able to bounce back. “Business tests your moral fiber. Always look at the long term,” he said.

A business major himself, Pearce said, “In the rearview mirror, nothing would’ve been more perfect for me. Business is challenging but there’s no better life.”

Closing the talk, Pearce gave students a piece of advice. “Be learning more than just numbers. Learn from everything you come in contact with.”

For 125 years, Western New Mexico University has served the people in its region as a comprehensive, rural, public body. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution and the state’s only public Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences university, WNMU is committed to developing cross-cultural opportunities that encourage people to explore new experiences. WNMU’s student body represents every segment of southwest New Mexico’s diverse population.