Meet Diane Silva

We recently connected with Diane Silva and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Diane with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I would say I got my work ethic from my parents. They came to the U.S. from the Azores Islands, and both of them taught me the value of hard work by example. My mom was a stay-at-home mother who not only cared for my sister with cerebral palsy but also managed the household and finances with incredible discipline. My dad started out at Campbell Soup with very little English, yet through sheer determination he often worked two to three jobs at a time. Over the years, he worked his way up to a supervisor role and stayed there until the plant closed.

I didn’t realize it until later, but he was the same age I was when I experienced a layoff in the financial industry. That really put things into perspective for me. Reflecting on how he persevered through challenges gave me the strength to do the same.

Because of their example, I started working at 13, and when I began as a part-time teller at a bank, I carried that same mindset. Step by step, I worked my way up into commercial lending. Their sacrifices and resilience shaped my drive and taught me that with hard work and focus, you can build a successful career no matter where you start.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Being first generation here in the U.S., my journey really shaped who I am today. I started school not knowing a word of English since Portuguese was the only language we spoke at home. I don’t remember all of the details of that struggle, but I imagine my younger self just adapted and pushed through without seeing it as an obstacle. That mindset carried me forward.

I didn’t attend college, but I learned through experience and from incredible mentors who had the hearts of teachers. I absorbed everything I could, which allowed me to grow from a teller, to branch manager, to commercial banker and now I specialize in the SBA 504 program at Success Capital CDC. What excites me most is that I’m not just helping business owners grow their businesses; I’m helping them create jobs for people who have families depending on those paychecks. That’s powerful, and it’s something I take to heart. I often pray that God leads me to those I can serve and assist, because for me this work is a calling, not just a career.

Beyond business, I also have a passion for gardening. It brings me peace and tranquility, and I love that gardening teaches patience, growth, and care – values that overlap with my professional life as well. I enjoy it so much that I even started a gardening YouTube channel to share inspiration and encourage others to discover the joy that comes from nurturing something and watching it flourish.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I would say three qualities have been the most impactful in my journey:

1- A Positive Attitude – I truly believe attitude shapes everything. There’s good and bad in every situation, and how we choose to see and respond makes all the difference. I’ve been blessed with an optimistic outlook, and that ability to find the silver lining has carried me through challenges and opened doors to new opportunities.

2- A ‘Get It Done’ Mentality – I’m not one to procrastinate. I try to live by the ‘touch it once’ philosophy. If I start something, I do my best to finish it. Of course, that’s not always possible, but having that mindset keeps me focused, productive, and reliable.

3- Collaboration and Teamwork – Just as it takes a village to raise a family, it takes a strong team to complete a successful transaction. From the moment a loan application comes in, through underwriting, and all the way to closing it’s a collective effort. Appreciating and respecting everyone’s role in the process is what makes the work not only successful but also deeply rewarding.

For those early in their journey, my advice is this:

Cultivate positivity and gratitude, because it will carry you when things get tough.

Practice discipline and focus so you build trust in yourself and with others.

And above all, learn to work well with people. Success is never built alone it’s built in partnership and lifting each other as we climb!

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

If I knew I only had a decade left, I would spend it enjoying each moment and being fully present. Life is a gift, and I’d want to soak in every blessing. Whether it’s time with my family, serving others through my work, or finding peace in my garden. I would give my loved ones my full attention, not put off the things that really matter, and yes…I’d buy the plant and eat the chocolate cake! But most importantly, I would focus on my faith, making sure my heart is prepared for heaven while living in gratitude for the time I’ve been given.

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