As a child, I challenged everything my parents told me and always thought I could do things a better way. I’m sure my parents didn’t appreciate it at the time, but that’s just how my mind works – I’m always curious about how things operate, and I’m always looking for better ways to do them.
People often ask me, “How did you come up with your idea to start Comply365?” along with the innovations behind it. The interesting thing about my answer is that I had no idea what I was going to invent when I started the company. I went into consulting in the aviation industry with no aviation experience, no tech background and no college degree.
But just as I had always done, I listened to my clients as they told me about their biggest problems and their frustrations, and then I came up with better ways to solve their problems. I didn’t invent anything — my clients did. I have some of the smartest clients in the world.
My first airline client was the now-defunct North American Airlines, and that was my training ground for the world of aviation. The people there were so fantastic! I would watch them work or listen to them talk and ask, “Why do you do this that way? What is that acronym? Isn’t there a better way to do that?” I literally walked around with a yellow legal pad and took notes as I learned all about aviation. I soon fell in love with aviation, the people in aviation and the opportunities I saw to transform an entire industry.
Sometimes it takes an outsider to come in and see things different. It surprised me to see how many people answered my questions with, “This is the way it’s always been done.” I wasn’t scared to challenge the norm, and although aviation is one of the most regulated and slow-to-change industries, I didn’t let that interfere with my thinking and helping my clients realize the possibilities.
Don’t let what you know
cloud your thoughts
of what is possible.
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