Patron: VIKTOR EMIL FRANKL
Seat: 2
ABOUT ME
Academic Élira Samara Silva Junior was born on November 19, 1972, in São Vicente de Minas, Minas Gerais. She is the daughter of Maria Ivone do Nascimento and Eliton Mesquita, with 5 siblings. She had a very happy and prosperous childhood in Carrancas, Minas Gerais. She inherited her mother's communication skills and kindness, and her father's aptitude for numbers and organization. At age 11, the family moved to Lavras, where at 18 she took the university entrance exam for Medicine at UFJF in Juiz de Fora, finishing as an alternate. She then decided that same year to pursue Business Management in Lavras, where she found her calling among paperwork, numbers, writing, and organization. She graduated and began working at a pharmacy (with only one unit at the time, initially covering the owner's sister's maternity leave), worked happily doing what she loved, managed it efficiently for 8 years, and left it with 5 units and a pharmaceutical distribution center. In 2006, she met her husband Eliel Jeremias da Silva, also a member of this Academy, and moved to São Carlos, then São Paulo, then America, and finally Portugal, where they arrived with 3 children and many dreams. In the middle of the pandemic, the couple opened their first restaurant; after 2 years they had to expand due to great success, then also opened a beauty salon, and most recently a second restaurant. All businesses are thriving. Her husband handles leadership, hiring, creation, and development, while she manages the finances. This is the great beginning of a story of partnership, challenges, emotions, and great success.
