“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do” (Steve Jobs)
That’s how Diana Aquino defines herself. Passionate about life and challenges, including the one on making a difference around the world.
Diana is the Co-founder of the brand DiAnno, in San Diego, California.
DiAnno is a fashion brand, that was created to sell clothing products and use 100% of the Profit to help people affected by the COVID19.
Diana and her husband were able to keep their jobs during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and felt an obligation to give it back and help through a double journey.
One day while chatting with her husband in the quarantine, they began to wonder what they could do to help people who had just been laid off and needed financial help. Together they came up with the idea of a creating a company where the products sold would help to gather funds to help people affected financially.
The company DiAnno, came into being on August 1st 2020, and in the first month they were able to donate over 1.5 tons of food to the poor communities. Their Goal is to continue donating 100% of the profit acquired with DiAnno, until the pandemic ends.
Where did the idea for DiAnno come from?
The idea for DiAnno came up at the end of June 2020, when me and my husband were helping a few people in need who were affected financially due to the pandemic. Soon after that, more and more people came to us for help. We realized we would not be able to help everyone, and started to think of a way to be able to help more people. That was when we came up with the idea of creating a company from scratch to raise funds by selling products to help more people.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Every morning, I set my goals for the day, and go until everything is done. Focusing on what I have to do, and making sure I get results.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I believe that thoughts materialize into things. As they come I write them down. Set the results I want, and let the rest just happen naturally.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Seeing people gain hope.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
An obsession with getting things done.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Handle each issue as they come up.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
You can always get something positive from bad things.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Work, study hard, and enhance your creativity. Don`t forget to have fun!
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Delegating Tasks to my collaborators, setting goals and metrics for results, and getting the Job done.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Not choosing the right person. Choosing more qualified people.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Invent something new, and believe in it. Something to make things easier for people.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Eating out in a delicious restaurant with a nice ocean view, in good company. You need to give some time to yourself, as a refreshment and to have new ideas.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
Social Media is a good tool to connect you to people, and to what is happening lately. People that chooses to not be connected or not use Social Media at any means, usually gets limited information. Being opened to use the last in technology will help you to connect your lifetime experience with new experiences, and have great ideas.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill.
What is your favorite quote?
It always seems impossible until it`s done.
Key Learnings:
• Sometimes you’re gonna have to lose, it’s not about how fast you get there, it’s about of what`s waiting in the other side. Keep climbing.
• Be open to the possibility that whatever happens, even the bad stuff, can lead to better things.
• Stop spending your precious energy on what you don’t want. Focus on what you do want, what’s working for you, and what makes you happy. What you mater is what grows.
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.