We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Quinn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

John, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

For seventeen long years, I had been embedded in the intricacies of control systems, a field that required precision, foresight, and a deep understanding of dynamic systems. As a controls engineer, I worked diligently under my boss, ensuring the efficient operation of various systems. It was my responsibility to design, develop, and implement these control systems that drove our industry’s machinery.

However, the vivid memory from my time in the Navy never ceased to call out to me. It was a unique experience, one that involved testing a groundbreaking prototype for a submarine stealth system during war games. That experience never left me; it continued to echo in my thoughts, overshadowing the regularities of my day-to-day work.

This longing for the thrill of innovation, combined with a desire for significant change, eventually led me to make a bold decision. In a shocking twist, I resigned from my position as a controls engineer, effectively ‘firing’ my boss of seventeen years. With this decision, I found myself diving headfirst into the uncharted waters of entrepreneurship.

Equipped with the funds from my stocks and the undying will to make a difference, I embarked on the challenging journey of developing the stealth technology I had once tested. My team, composed of ingenious rocket scientists let go from a recent project due to golden handcuffs, brought invaluable expertise to the table. Together, we designed, refined, and created a sophisticated prototype that promised to revolutionize submarine warfare.

Despite the breakthrough our team achieved, we faced the harsh realities of the business world. Our breakthrough was recognized by the Navy; they acknowledged the potential of our work. Yet, in a disappointing turn of events, the contract for building the technology was awarded to a prime contractor. The contractor leveraged our pioneering concepts, and ultimately, it was their device that was delivered to the warfighters.

This was a profound lesson in entrepreneurship for me. I realized that the journey was not always fair; it could be unpredictable and filled with bumps. While the loss of the contract was a setback to our team and a hit to my retirement funds, I learned the true value of resilience in the face of adversity.

Undeterred, I knew that my journey did not end there. I had left my stable job, ventured into unexplored territory, and had seen firsthand the potential for change. And while the path was tougher than I had imagined, the taste of creating something valuable was unmatched. I knew then that I would continue to strive, innovate, and create, using each setback as a stepping stone towards greater success.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

In the face of the adversity that followed my previous venture’s setback, a new opportunity arose like a phoenix from the ashes. I was determined not to let the talent of my rocket scientists go to waste. The technology the team was working on was too crucial, too revolutionary to be abandoned. And so, out of the remnants of the team prior efforts, Exos Aerospace was born.

Exos Aerospace was a David amidst Goliaths, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with behemoths like SpaceX and Blue Origin, but our mission was not dwarfed. Despite working on a fraction of their budgets, our team was focused on achieving reusable space technologies that could potentially transform our future. In fact the team achieved vertical takeoff and landing capabilities years before Elon perfected it on the Orbital level and Elon had many conversations with the former Armadillo Aerosapace team members. The Exos goal was challenging in that we were embaring on a journey that would probably take years to achieve. I think we just passed 9 years and 8 monhts on our journey to build a profitable business. I don’t know of any private space company that has achieved profitability, and can unofrtunately name many that have fallen to chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Unlike the big players, who had billions invested in their ventures, our journey was fueled by a lean budget, just in the millions. Yet, we achieved what few companies could. Exos Aerospace successfully flew the same rocket four times, an accomplishment that placed us amongst a select group of pioneers in the space industry.

Our achievements were not as widely publicized as SpaceX or Blue Origin. However, our work was not about the fanfare. It was about pushing the boundaries of technology, about making space more accessible and reusable technology more viable, even with limited resources. The story of Exos Aerospace is a testament to the fact that passion, dedication, and ingenuity and a hardware rich approach can overcome even the most formidable barriers.

Our smaller scale technologies, developed on a fraction of the budgets of larger corporations, may just have the power to change our future on Earth. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need to be a giant to make significant strides in space technology. All it takes is a clear vision, a dedicated team, and the will to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

The experience with Exos Aerospace reaffirmed my belief in entrepreneurial perseverance and innovation. While my entrepreneurial journey began with the harsh lesson of losing out to a prime contractor, it also led to the birth of a company that is making significant contributions to space technology. Despite the odds, we persevered, innovated, and are still in pursuit of breakthrough that will change the world as we enable biomedical advancements that will make a difference for all humanity. And, as the saying goes, ‘the sky is the limit’ – or in the case of Exos Aerospace, perhaps it’s just the beginning.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

The story of Exos Aerospace and its development was a thrilling journey of innovation, determination, and a bit of audacity. While I was consumed with the creation of the SARGE (Suborbital Autonomous Rocket with Guidance and Entry) rocket and overseeing the rocket scientists working on it, our President had a different but equally important path in mind.

Seeking to add credibility and diversify one of his other companies, he decided to get his stock brokerage and education company licensed. His vision was simple yet profound: to educate people about the potential of investing in companies they truly believed in. This wasn’t just about trading stocks; it was about long-term investments that could shape industries and, by extension, the world.

Inspired by his vision and my newfound freedom from the constraints of corporate America, I decided to join him in this venture as well and in addition to my work at Exos, I got my Series 65 license, allowing me to teach others about investing.

It turned out that our students had an appetite for the investment side of things. They found the prospect of supporting companies that resonated with their beliefs and aspirations appealing. As a result, they began supporting equity purchases of the company that David and I had created – Exos Aerospace.

Through multiple private offering rounds, we managed to raise $9M. And with that, we built several rockets and advanced the teams capabilities. As we gained more confidence and saw an new opportunity we decided to enter the orbital market, an arena dominated by big players and requiring substantial investment. But we had a plan.

We found a space company going through bankruptcy after having invested $1.5 billion they went broke. I guess I have a new opportunity before me but this time I need to find about $45M to take us to the next level.

This journey into entrepreneurship has taught me many lessons. It’s shown me the importance of resilience, of believing in your vision, and of taking calculated risks. But perhaps most importantly, it has taught me the value of investing – not just in terms of financial returns, but in people, ideas, and the capacity to change the world. And as we set our sights on the stars, that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me always.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

Walking the tightrope of entrepreneurship can be a daunting journey, filled with obstacles and close calls that can bring a company to the brink of collapse. For Exos Aerospace, these moments have been all too familiar, but they have also been the crucible that has shaped us into the team we are today.

One such instance stands out particularly vividly. We were on the cusp of a significant development phase for our SARGE rocket, a critical milestone for the company. However, as we approached payroll day, we realized that we were dangerously close to not having enough funds to cover it. The financial strains of our aggressive development strategy had left us in a precarious position.

The reality of the situation was stark – we either needed to secure funding within a matter of days, or we risked halting our progress and disappointing our team, all of whom had poured their hearts and souls into the company. The tension was palpable, the hours were long, and the sleep was short. We scoured our network, reached out to potential investors, and leveraged every resource we had.

Yet, amid this crisis, something remarkable happened. Our team, realizing the gravity of the situation, came together in a way that truly encapsulated the spirit of Exos Aerospace. Every single employee, already an investor in the company, offered to forgo their paycheck to keep the company afloat, and we have been at that crucible multiple time and not for a check but for months on end.

This collective sacrifice was a reminder of why we were doing what we were doing. Despite the financial constraints, the sleepless nights, and the pressure of near failure, we were all united by a shared vision and a collective belief in our mission.

In the end, we managed to secure just enough funding in the nick of time to cover our immediate expenses, and the voluntary sacrifice of our team allowed us to continue our development even though the lack of funding has slowed our progress dramatically. It was a close call, a we have had many near-death experiences for the company.

These close calls have been an inherent part of our journey. They’ve been harsh lessons in financial planning and the cruel realities of running a startup. But they’ve also been powerful testaments to the resilience of our team and the unwavering belief in our mission. They’ve reinforced the importance of every team member and shown that, even on the brink of failure, unity and determination can keep a dream alive. Exos is still not out of the woods yet, and the vastness of space is still far darker than the woods here on earth that we yet have to go through and my primary job as CEO continues to be securing funding to launch our newest rocket and grow the business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.exosaero.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.m.quinn.3
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-quinn-39728718/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/007Quinn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh2dmwg4BVRAznfQgdhTm7w