Meet Penny LaCuesta

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Penny LaCuesta a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Penny, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

Optimism, to me, is more than just positive thinking. Optimism sets the tone for how everyone in my unit: my children, my husband, my clients, my friends and my colleagues are going to feel when I am in their presence. I don’t know that I can pinpoint exactly where it comes from, but it certainly beats the alternative of negativity!

Optimism and positivity play a huge role in my professional life. As a mortgage loan originator, I feel compelled to show homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, a path forward even when they feel uncertain. They are sometimes met with credit and affordability challenges and when someone is entering into a long-term financial commitment which can oftentimes make people feel very overwhelmed. It’s up to me to show them the upside of how homeownership will benefit them and help them gain generational wealth along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As a loan officer, I have the privilege of guiding families through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. I’ve seen the relief on their faces when they realize homeownership is within reach, and there is nothing more rewarding. I believe that being a loan originator is a craft and you have to put the puzzle pieces together for each client individually. Mortgage lending is not one size fits all and it’s up to me to ask the right questions to understand the financial and emotional priorities of each buyer. Understanding different loan products and giving people options is my approach, as I feel that the buyers are relying on me to show them the right path to take. The company I work for, Intercoastal Mortgage, LLC, allows me to work soundly and stand behind my loan approvals when someone is shopping for a home. If we encounter an issue with a loan approval, they have all levels of senior management looking at how to get it done. They are a tremendous part of my success and confidence.

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?

My journey has been shaped by three key qualities: resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find opportunities in challenges. These have not only fueled my optimism but also helped me guide others toward success.

Resilience – The Strength to Keep Moving Forward
Life is full of unexpected twists, but resilience has taught me that setbacks are never the end of the story. Early in my career, I faced challenges that tested my confidence, but each obstacle reinforced my belief that perseverance always leads to progress. For those just starting out, my advice is to embrace setbacks as learning experiences. Instead of fearing failure, see it as feedback—it’s just another step toward success.

Adaptability – Embracing Change with Confidence
Being able to pivot has been essential in my career and personal life. Whether it was adjusting to industry shifts, or finding creative solutions for my clients, adaptability has kept me ahead. To develop this skill, I’ve always remained curious and open-minded. I enjoy being around people who challenge me to see things differently. The more adaptable you become, the more opportunities you’ll find.

Finding Opportunities in Challenges – Seeing the Bigger Picture
Optimism isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about seeing possibilities where others see roadblocks. Some of the best opportunities of my career came from moments that seemed uncertain. For those early in their journey, train yourself to ask: “What can I learn from this? How can this work in my favor?” A simple shift in perspective can change everything.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

The past two years have been a challenging time in my industry. The shifting market, economic uncertainty, and industry changes have tested everyone in my field. But through it all, my biggest area of growth has been learning to thrive in uncertainty—not just survive it.

I’ve developed a deeper level of adaptability and resilience than ever before. Instead of resisting change, I’ve leaned into it—finding new ways to connect with clients, refining my expertise, and staying proactive in an evolving industry. The challenges forced me to be more strategic, more intentional, and more focused on solutions rather than setbacks.

Personally, I’ve also learned the power of mindset. In a market where many feel discouraged, I’ve chosen to double down on optimism—not blind positivity, but a belief that challenges always bring new opportunities. That shift in perspective has not only helped me navigate my own journey but has also allowed me to guide others through uncertainty with confidence.

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