Aviation for Women is the flagship member publication of Women in Aviation International. Articles feature women who have made aviation history, professional development ideas, and current-topic articles.
Issue link: https://afwdigital.epubxp.com/i/813603
support, and business aviation consulting for corporate HR professionals. The best part of my job is… working with people. It's wonderful to help peo- ple see their potential, and what they're capable of. On the client side, executives responsible for aviation in their com- panies often come to us because they really don't know what a smooth-run- ning operation would look like, so I help them visualize it. On the personnel side, it can be hard for our candidates to look beyond what they're doing today. I help light the fire, to show them what they can do with their careers, and that it's re- ally accomplishable. My proudest entrepreneurial mo- ment… I have so many! The proudest moments are when candidates come back to me to say thank you. I'll never forget when an aviation director said, "Sheryl, thank you for helping me grow. Thank you for helping me provide for my family more than I might have with- out your help." My best entrepreneurial advice: You cannot go it alone. I recommend as- piring entrepreneurs assemble a team of advisors around them. They don't have to know one another or sit on a formal advisory board. One of the key advisors every entrepreneur needs is a trust worthy financial expert. I also rely heavily on a fellow aviation busi- ness owner. She and I compare notes and share best practices. It's important to find someone you can be honest and open with—a mastermind. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my advisors in finance, business, market- ing, technology, and the business avia- tion industry. How entrepreneurs are different… Whether it's a man or a woman, what makes business owners unique is their inherent entrepreneurial spirit. They must have the ability to be a vision- ary, and the willingness to do what it takes. I liken entrepreneurship to be- ing a parent; you never stop thinking of your business or put it on the shelf, even when you're on a vacation. It's integrat- ed into all aspects of your life. Successful entrepreneurs have these traits in common… Fortitude—Know that there are ups and downs from a finan- cial, market, and emotional perspective. You've got to have a plan and make the commitment to stay the course. Busi- ness Responsibility—If you want to really scale your business, you'll end up being responsible for other people. I always want to do the right thing for my team, which often means putting their needs before my own. Delegate— Always hire professionals who are smarter than you, give them the re- sources, and then get out of the way. ✈ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patricia Luebke, WAI 1954, is a New York City-based freelance writer, editor, and marketing consultant. I liken entrepreneurship to being a parent; you never stop thinking of your business or put it on the shelf, even when you're on a vacation. It's integrated into all aspects of your life. —Sheryl Barden Leading Mor Gilad the Future of Aerospace Systems Engineer, UMD Graduate and Program Manager An Aurora employee for over five years, Mor has seen firsthand how the innovative programs she's worked on have impacted the company's growth as well as accelerated her own professional career. www.aurora.aero