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

Hi Karina, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Growing up in Russia, I was raised in a traditional family with my mother, father, and three sisters. In a society where women had limited opportunities beyond marriage and motherhood, my parents always encouraged us to dream big and reach for the stars. When my parents divorced when I was 13, it was a challenging time for my mom, who suddenly found herself a single mother with four children to care for.

Despite the difficulties, my mom never gave up on us. She worked tirelessly to ensure that all of us had access to education and the chance to pursue our dreams. Thanks to her unwavering support and determination, my sisters and I were able to attend university and create our own paths in life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an immigrant who came to the US with only $300 in my pocket, leaving behind my family and friends. Despite not speaking any English, I had the belief that I would find success in the land of opportunity, compared to my native home. Currently, I work as a commercial pilot. Due to my experience and journey to becoming a pilot, many people, especially women, have approached me for guidance on how to become a pilot. I am about to launch a new product, a step-by-step guide on how both women and men can become pilots in the United States.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In the early days of my journey in the United States, I found myself taking on various jobs to make a living, from peeling shrimp in a fish store to working as a motel housekeeper. Eventually, I landed a role as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines.

However, the path to achieving my dream wasn’t easy. It took 18 attempts over five years before Delta finally offered me a position. During my training, I was inspired by a female pilot who shattered my preconceptions about gender roles in aviation. Witnessing her success, I set my sights on becoming a pilot myself.

Over the course of eighteen years, I poured my heart and soul into my career, studying relentlessly and working diligently. These efforts paid off as I proudly earned my U.S. citizenship and obtained my Commercial Pilot Certificate with ratings for single-engine and multi-engine land aircraft, along with instrument privileges. Today, I am living my dream as a contract corporate jet pilot, a testament to my resilience, determination, and unwavering pursuit of my goals.

Conversations about M&A are often focused on multibillion dollar transactions – but M&A can be an important part of a small or medium business owner’s journey. We’d love to hear about your experience with selling businesses.

I founded Vodabike, an innovative fitness program, out of my passion for wellness. Designed to help women not only lose weight but also alleviate back pain, Vodabike quickly gained popularity. When my travels took me away, I entrusted the business to my sister, Alina Gaynutdinova. Under her leadership, Vodabike has thrived in the bustling city of Los Angeles, positively impacting the lives of many women with its effective workout program. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to sell your business one day, remember the importance of passion, dedication, and finding the right person to carry on your legacy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilot.karina?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karina.gaynutdinova?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Twitter: https://x.com/kgaynutdinova?s=21
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@karinagnova9491?si=pv3_anob4Ru9d78-

Image Credits

Oxana Melis