Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Sowa.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michael. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Waypoint was formed in 2006 along with cofounder, Ken Murray, based in the Fort Lauderdale area. We felt our industry had a need for our combined experience which was complimentary – mine being strong in aircraft operations and transactions, his being extremely strong in the technical and maintenance areas. Combined, we felt comfortable in taking the step towards entrepreneurship. Though it was a tough time to be starting a business!
We have been very fortunate since then to have grown and attracted some high caliber clientele, all through word of mouth. Our suite of services has remained very “horizontal” and gives us the flexibility to adapt to client needs, which has become the hallmark of how we operate – we are extremely client focused. Each client comes with their own unique set of challenges that require us to adapt accordingly in order to help them. It is not unusual to have a project begin, then morph into something quite different as things unfold.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, the road has not been smooth. It has been – and remains – an uphill struggle.
However, that certainly is not unique to Waypoint. All businesses, especially small businesses, have ups and downs. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart – you must learn to live with risk and uncertainty. When we begin a year, we don’t really know how that year will turn out in terms of workload and associated income. There is no salary, there is no pension.
However, there is a tremendous satisfaction in being self-sustaining and doing so by helping others. Add to that the opportunity to travel worldwide and interact with some of the most dynamic captains of industry. What is that worth? It’s a priceless benefit for which we are grateful.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Waypoint story. Tell us more about the business.
Waypoint Partners, LLC is a multi-faceted business aviation consulting firm that specializes in operational assessments, fleet strategic planning, aircraft transaction consultation and the managing of technical appraisals, completions, extensive refurbishments and modifications of high end business aircraft.
Waypoint is composed of a group of highly experienced aviation professionals, led by two industry veterans who offer clients access to their extensive experience in Boeing, Gulfstream, Challenger, Bombardier, Falcon and Hawker aircraft types. Combined, the organization has decades of hands-on experience in the increasingly complex arena of business aviation.
The suite of services offered by Waypoint are designed to give our clients the benefit of working with a team of seasoned aviation specialists who are focused on helping them avoid costly and time-consuming issues that can occur throughout the intricate field of business aviation. These services can be extremely beneficial to those with a lack of appropriate resources, or time, required to properly oversee crucial areas or who may need experienced third-party advice.
We take pride in being client focused and doing so in a very grass roots manner. We’re realists – we worked our way through the ranks of the industry, garnering valuable hands-on experience along the way. Many of our competitors cannot say that to the extent Waypoint can.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Our industry is on the cusp of developing and certifying a slew of new aircraft, some of which are built by Gulfstream here in Georgia. It’s exciting to be a part of this and watch it unfold. This is the fun stuff!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.way-point.aero
- Phone: (770) 507-2084
- Email: msowa@way-point.aero
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/waypointpartners/?ref=bookmarks
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