Very Short Interview No. 1

Bill Jesse is an entrepreneur who helped form Aerospace Propellor Systems, based in Dayton, Ohio. Bill and my dad, Michael, saw an opportunity to compete with larger propellor manufacturers. They created less expensive ways to manufacture their product, which expanded their margins.

Here are the three questions i asked to Bill Jesse:

Drew: What triggered you to start APS?

Bill: 1.) "While me and your dad worked at McCauley, we realized we had all the tools necessary to work in the FAA field. The FAA is a closed, niche community that has plenty of opportunities  once you get in. We knew that if we could get into the FAA and create our own propellor company, that we could directly compete with McCauley, who had gotten fat and lazy."

Drew: What obstacles did you see early on? 

Bill: "Cash and purchasing equipment. We had very little money to work with. We sold the airplane we purchased in our early thirties to gain money for investment. We were originally going to design our own parts, but instead realized that the money needed was astronomical. Instead we began creating alternative after-mark parts that were less expensive to create." 

Drew: Do you think it’s becoming increasingly harder to form a startup? (Because ideas are very limited and most ideas are already taken these days)

Bill: "There are more ideas now then there were ever before. However, the overbearing regulatory government requirements cause more obstacles then there were in the past. Added insurance, workers comp, 1099 employees, fica, social securities are all reasons why entrepreneurs could become discouraged to create their own company."

From this interview, I learned about how APS was started. I knew they had worked together at McCauley, but I didn't know they started a business to directly complete with them. Bill told me about the sacrifices they made in order to startup their business. I never knew they  purchased and sold a plane together in order for their business to survive. The statement he made about startups becoming increasingly harder to create sides with me. I agree that their are more ideas and markets to enter these days than ever before. However, the regulations put in place cause people to easily become discouraged.