Meet Diana Oquendo

We recently connected with Diana Oquendo and have shared our conversation below.

Diana , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Finding my purpose wasn’t a magical moment… it was a process filled with trials, silences, sacrifices, and inner awakening. I found it not when everything was going well, but in the most challenging moments of my life: as an immigrant in a new country, unable to validate my professional career, starting out with fear and without support, and often feeling invisible in business circles.

At first, I worked simply to “get ahead.” But there came a point where I asked myself: What’s the point of all this? What’s the point of so much effort if it’s not aligned with who I truly am?

The first hint of my purpose appeared when I started working without pay in order to learn how things were done in this wonderful country. I learned the rules of construction and the system that either don’t exist in my own country or are completely different. This led me to have the purpose of teaching my community.

My purpose was solidified when I understood that it’s not just about being successful, but about using that success as a platform to serve. My company, G&B Group LLC, isn’t just a business: it’s a vehicle for impact. I’ve built diverse teams, promoted women to leadership roles, created opportunities for families, and used each project as an excuse to make my mark.

That awakening led me to create spaces like the podcast “Mamás Emprendedoras en el Gabacho,” where we began to bring to light real, vulnerable, courageous stories with other women who lived similar stories to mine. Latinas, mothers, dreamers, hard workers, but emotionally exhausted, without guidance, without real support, and often without believing they too could lead. It was then that I understood that my story had value… that my failures and achievements were not just mine, but tools to inspire, accompany, and pave the way for others.

Then came “Building Your Business TV,” where we interviewed successful entrepreneurs to share their success stories. Later, the “Building Your Business Workshop” was born. This workshop, where we share practical tools and teach entrepreneurs or new entrepreneurs how to start and run their construction companies in the United States.

I found my purpose when I stopped chasing external goals and began working from internal coherence. Today I know I’m here to uplift, empower, and accompany other Latinx women and men to believe in their power, to professionalize their dreams, and to lead without asking permission.

That is my purpose: to turn my story into a platform for collective transformation.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Diana Oquendo, founder and CEO of G&B Group LLC, a company specializing in the preparation of construction plans and permits in the United States. With our technical expertise, we have helped hundreds of contractors, developers, and entrepreneurs bring their construction projects from paper to reality, complying with legal and regulatory requirements in multiple states across the country.

But beyond the technical aspect, my true mission has been to build a company that informs, educates, and empowers our community. Often, Latinos who want to start in the construction world don’t know where to start, and that’s where our commitment comes in: to be a bridge between technical knowledge and business success.

As a newly arrived immigrant to this wonderful country, I also didn’t know where to start. The language, customs, and lack of knowledge made it difficult at first. I came to this country, like all immigrants, to fulfill the “American dream,” and that led me to investigate the business system here in the United States.

My journey began with the program “Construyendo Tu Negocio TV,” a program where I interview Latino entrepreneurs and leaders who share their experiences in the U.S. From there, the desire to create something more focused on entrepreneurial women was born, which led me to launch the podcast “Mamás Emprendedoras en el Gabacho,” where we talk about what it means to be an entrepreneur as a mother, Latina, and immigrant.

Later, and as a natural evolution, we created the workshop “Construyendo Tu Negocio TV – Workshop,” an in-person event open to men and women interested in learning about business processes, leadership, construction permits, marketing, finance, and more. It is an inclusive, educational, and deeply transformative space.

A key experience in my journey was the interview with Nayo Escobar, where I was able to share my vision on female leadership, resilience, and how to transform challenges into purpose.

What I want people to know is that my brand doesn’t just build plans—it builds paths. Whether through G&B Group LLC or through my educational platforms, I seek to help others realize their dreams in this country.

What’s coming next?

We’re expanding our planning and permitting services to new cities in the US.

A new season of the podcast “Momás Emprendedoras en el Gabacho” is coming.

G&B Academy will teach about plans, permits, and construction, all on YouTube.

And “Construyendo Tu Negocio TV – Workshop” will visit new cities in 2025 with more practical tools for those who want to start or develop professionally in the construction sector.

My purpose is clear: to create real opportunities for our Latino community, and to build—from the ground up—a culture of leadership, knowledge, and legacy.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills and/or Areas of Knowledge

Looking back on my journey, there are three key qualities and skills that have shaped everything I’ve built—both professionally and personally:

1. Resilience – Turning Obstacles into Momentum
As an immigrant woman, I’ve faced moments where giving up seemed easier than continuing. But resilience became my fuel. I learned to see every challenge as a lesson, every closed door as redirection.
Advice: Resilience isn’t about pretending to be strong—it’s about choosing not to give up. Practice by embracing discomfort, asking for help when needed, and remembering your “why” on hard days.

2. Strategic Communication – Knowing How and When to Use Your Voice
Whether negotiating construction permits or hosting a podcast, communication has been my superpower. Being clear, assertive, and authentic has opened doors—from contracts to collaborations.
Advice: Learn to communicate with confidence. Read, practice storytelling, and be intentional about how you present your ideas. Your voice is a tool—learn to sharpen it.

3. Knowledge of Systems – Understanding How the Game Works
Many entrepreneurs fail not because they lack talent, but because they don’t understand the system. I invested time in learning how construction permits, business licenses, legal processes, and government contracts really work. That knowledge gave me power and leverage.
Advice: Don’t just focus on your passion—study the rules of the industry you’re entering. Surround yourself with people who know more than you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or pay for knowledge.

In short, resilience gave me strength, communication gave me access, and knowledge gave me strategy. For anyone just starting out: be patient with your process, stay hungry for learning, and never underestimate the power of your story.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me wasn’t giving me material things — it was giving me vision. Through their example, they taught me that it doesn’t matter where you come from, but how far you’re willing to walk with dignity, hard work, and faith.

My parents didn’t have all the resources, but they had solid values: responsibility, respect for others, and an unshakable work ethic. They showed me that dreams aren’t achieved by talent alone, but by consistent effort, humility to learn, and courage to keep going — even when no one else believes in you, not even yourself.

But perhaps the most powerful thing they gave me was this: they never limited my vision. Even when my dreams seemed too big or too far, they never clipped my wings. They allowed me to fly, to make mistakes, to fall, and to rise again. That quiet trust, that steady, loving presence — it shaped me more than any degree ever could.

Today, everything I am — as a mother, a businesswoman, and a leader — is deeply rooted in the seeds they planted: discipline, faith in God, and love for my community. That legacy is my fuel.

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