Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jared Thompson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jared, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I grew up in a relatively low-class family, but my father and mother always took good care of us and brought us up right. When I was five, I got bit by the Aviation Bug, I knew from that point on I wanted to always be a Pilot. Throughout my years of growing up my father and mother would take me to all the airshows and aviation events. When I turned eleven, I joined Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and soon after the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). CAP taught me a lot about leading a team, I grew more mature and had a since of discipline a lot of young people my age at the time didn’t have. I feel that CAP help develop my character and helped shaped who I would later become in the future.
During my time in CAP, I learned about this other program called Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). The EAA is a nationwide group of pilots who would meet regularly and take kids flying for free to expose them to general aviation. During this event I met a man named Ralph. Ralph became my mentor and he helped coach me through all my training. In fact, I would trade yard work and cleaning his airplane for free flight time in his 1946 Aeronca Champ (7AC). Ralph believed in me and always motivated me to become a successful person, to pursue my dream of becoming a pilot. A little after my six-teeth birthday, I completed my first solo -flight his Champ. Without Ralph I wouldn’t be where I am today, he will always be a great friend & mentor to me.

On my seventeenth birthday I passed the check-ride to obtain my private pilot’s license. This was the proudest day of my life because I accomplished a dream I have always wanted to achieve since I was five years old. Being involved in these different organizations has led me to meet many wonderful people, of which have helped me move forward in my aviation career.

After finishing high school, I had three different jobs over the span of two and a half years. I enjoyed those jobs, but I didn’t find them amusing. Now don’t get me wrong, I gained a lot of valuable knowledge and experience in having these job’s which help fuel my business idea. My last job taught me a lot; I gained a vast area of knowledge specifically in aircraft detailing. I also learned how to do specialty work within aircraft detailing like paint corrections, enhancements, ceramic coatings, and brite works. This gave me an idea of opening my own business offering a wide variety of high-quality detailing services within the Aviation industry!

Six months prior to quitting my last job, I would go to home at night and write my ideas on paper. I came up with a goal. That goal was to setup my business, create a plan of action, and advertise to a high class of clientele apart of the general aviation community within the next six months. Before I even created my official business, I was already detailing aircraft outside of my job on my days off. One lesson I learned is to take risk. The size of the risk equals the size of the reward. April 14th, 2021 “Champs A&A Detailing Services LLC,” was created. I then created our website, social media pages and got insurance which was probably the hardest challenge of creating the business as anything with Aviation written on it comes with a cost. I then left my job and went full time focusing on my business. The next twelve months I grew my business substantial. Throughout those months I created new friends within my industry. One in particularly is “William Graves” at Midwest Aircraft Detailing, his company specializes in aircraft detailing up in the Chicago area. William has been very helpful in giving me advice and helping me tweak my business in the direction of becoming more successful. All in all, it wasn’t an easy task creating my business, but it was the idea of being my own boss that motivated me towards becoming a business owner.

Jared, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Jared Thompson, owner of “Champs A&A Detailing Services LLC” located in Ocala Florida. Our team specializes in aircraft & automotive detailing statewide. We take your valuable possessions and restore them to a factory like finish, inside/out. Being a pilot myself I understand what environmental factors aircraft are faced with every day. It was the idea that if my team could restore, protect, and increase the performance of aircraft we could not only extend the life of aircraft but make aircraft owners prouder in the process. From detailing the exterior and interior, to paint corrections and ceramic coatings we do it all.
A typical full-on detail includes three big steps. The first step is the restoration step, this is where we dry wash the exterior of your entire aircraft and free the surfaces of oil, dirt, and bugs. We do the same to the interior of your aircraft as well. Step two involves a full paint correction & enhancement. This is a multi-step process of which takes a lot of time and attention to detail but completely reshapes the look of your aircrafts paint. During this process we completely decontaminate the surface of your paint all the way down to the microscopic level. We also eliminate 99% of all swirl marks, holograms, sanding marks and minor scratches in beaded within the paint. The last and final step is adding protection. This is where we apply a very strong, high-quality industry level sealant or ceramic coating. This forms a layer of protection over the paint which hardens and creates an enhanced glossy appearance up to eight plus years. Not only does this help protect & enhance your aircrafts paint but it allows for increased performance and easier cleaning.

Champs A&A Detailing Services strives to provide our valued clients with high quality services catered around your unique desires. Simply put “Quality you can’t live without.”

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth is my greatest advertisement. Our clients want the very best services that one can provide. We can meet those standards but what sets us apart from others is our quality work. When we satisfy our clients, they of course become very pleased, but they also spread the word to their hanger buddies and other friends which therefore reach out directly because they understand that if their hanger buddy trusted us to meet and exceed their expectations that their aircraft could look just as good. People want to be able to trust you, and you must show them you can be trusted. People take pride in their valuable assets. They don’t just hire anyone because anyone can say they’re good but until proven it’s just words. So, in short selling yourself to others and creating action will open the door too many people when providing services, no matter what industry you are a part of.

Any advice for managing a team?

As a young business owner my biggest piece of advice is to surround yourself with a group of people who are going to be great friends, mentors, and very positive. There is a saying that goes, “you are who you hang around.” This is very true! Be willing to take risk, be willing to fail, be willing to learn from those failures, and most importantly stay committed to whatever it is you decide to take on, never give up. Managing a team is hard but always be willing to lead them towards great success. Be encouraging and take care of your team. Teach and coach them, show them the way. Reward them for great accomplishments and hard work. Never be a boss but a leader and your team will always lead your business towards great success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.champsaadetailingservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/champsdetailing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/champsdetailingservices/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdkhp7McjlfA96o-jzY5_7g
• Other: Owner: Jared Thompson Email: [email protected]