JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Citizen Airmen are some off the best people at juggling multiple obligations. They fulfill duties to their country, to their homes and to their civilian jobs. Balancing work and home is challenging and even more so the more one takes on.
Staff Sgt. David Dasilva, an aerial port specialist with the 35th Aerial Port Squadron, explains how he keeps the balance while juggling three jobs, two of which are self-made businesses.
Dasilva owns a LED lighting business that is helping businesses go green with efficient and long lasting lighting solutions.
“I cold call customers, talk directly to business owners and use a strong marketing effort through the internet,” said Dasilva. “I show them how I can help them reduce their energy consumption and go green to help the environment, which helps them put money back into their pockets.”
He says he started the business three years ago and that it was important to get pass the fear of failure and potentially not earning any money. His business is doing well and he plans on expanding.
Dasilva also runs a bread delivery service with his brother and father-in-law in Northern New Jersey.
“Every day we deliver fresh rolls and sliced bread as well as things that have a longer shelf life,” said Dasilva. “We get our bread from two different Portuguese bread bakeries which have been around for years in Newark.”
Dasilva’s family is from Portugal and he wants to expand the business there to create more jobs.
“What I would really love to do is start a plant or manufacturing factory in my family’s native country,” said Dasilva. “Rather than get what we use for my business in China, we would get it from Portugal.”
He says that he wants to create more jobs there because he feels that they are hurting for jobs. He believes that will also create jobs here in the states once he expands.
Dasilva has support and admiration from leadership at his squadron.
“I think it is amazing that he has two businesses, and the self-confidence, drive and dedication needed to jump in on your own is amazing to me,” said Chief Master Sgt. Dawn Theroux, transportation manager, 35th APS. “What’s interesting is that he started his company by seeing a need, then secluding himself in his home office for days to learn as much as he could, then off he went!”
Dasilva is a self-proclaimed workaholic, and has even had to go straight in to work after a unit training assembly.
“There were times when I was finished with drill that I would have rush up north to work on my other business, said Dasilva. “So I would have to go to sleep for a few hours wake up and start on my route, so that has been a challenge for me.”
He believes that his family is what drives him to be successful overall.
“My motivation is my kids so I’m trying to do the best I can to give them an easier path than what I took,” said Dasilva. I should have studied more and done better in college, and I found that if I just continue to work hard and put positive energy into positive things, I’ll get positive results, so I try to live by that.
He feels that Airmen who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs should be prepared for the negativity that may come with the career choice.
“Prepare yourself for the negativity that comes along with it because people are going to tell you that you can’t do it, and that there is too much competition out there,” said Dasilva. “But if you are going to put in the work towards something you want, then you have to look past the negativity in order to get positive results.”