When Glamour Wears

WHEN GLAMOUR WEARS the CROWN of a PRIVATE JET EMPIRE

Founder & President of FLY BLACK Jets “SUMAN DESAI” Relishes the Challenges Offered for Being an EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR

By Rizwan Zulfiqar Bhutta

Living life with extravagance could be a lifestyle for some and some may see it as a dream only. But what better you could do if you already have a luxurious and glitzy life. Well, some people would want to make things even better. One such individual stepped into an industry that is dominated by men at 97%. The lone ranger took the initiative and decided to carry on without worrying about the odds. There has always been a woman who made breakthrough access in a novel business. This time it was the ravishing and stylish “Suman Desai”. Suman’s story is a story for every woman to read and gain inspiration. Such stories are not common and not everyone can express themselves nicely. Team Edgy took time out to ask Suman about her story and her experiences and we got some wonderful stuff for our readers.

Talking to Edgy about her professional journey, Suman Said, “I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense. I would have never thought to find myself working in private aviation, let alone starting a company, FlyBLACK. After 5 years of working in luxury fashion/ sales, I knew I wanted more. I always had a naturally persuasive personality and began learning how to combine that with sales. Being raised by my parents (mentors as well) who are both immigrants turned entrepreneurs, I grew a passion for sales by constantly watching their resilience and strength to overcome obstacles, watching them negotiate deals, and hearing them always thinking outside the box. Travel has also been a passion of mine growing up. Being only 24 years old, I feel that I have matured faster due to my exposure to different cultures, work environments, traveling internationally, and seeing how much my parents could achieve with such little resources. Living in America handed them the exact tools to be successful.

She said “I leaped faith and began my career at another private jet firm 2 years ago. After 8 months in, Sami Belbase (My fiance) and I decided to start our firm, FlyBLACK, a private jet brokerage with over 3500 planes worldwide within our approved fleet, allowing us to fly in and out of any airport requested to any destination preferred.

MY DREAM COLLEGE WAS ALWAYS NYU, I was rejected after applying for two years in a row. Last year in January, I WAS CONTACTED TO SPEAK AT THE UNIVERSITY. FELT LIKE AN UNREAL 360 MOMENT.

At the beginning of my experience, I was told that women do not excel well in this industry as “men like to do business with men”... That didn’t infuriate me as you would think, instead, I used it as fuel. I researched the best aviation entrepreneurs, became familiar with their stories and learned from their mistakes, watched Ted Talks, and made it my goal to know every aspect of this industry inside and out; after all, knowledge is power. I have also been mentored by my Fiance/business partner, who has led two companies prior and been in the space for many years. Throughout our time working together, I found that I was bringing new perspectives that men simply may not be aware of or identify as a pain point. Now to find me among the 3% of female executives in the private aviation space inspires me to increase that statistic.”

Suman added, “I have found that being confident in oneself and one’s capabilities is a powerful tool. In the beginning, I knew I had to work twice as hard to receive just half the credit, but I didn’t let that discourage me. It made me thrilled to see the projection of my work, credit received or not, I wasn’t looking for anyone’s approval which is why I find myself in this position. I enjoy hearing the word, “no”. It gives me a challenge, anything that comes easy isn’t good, and when you work towards a challenge or against a rebuttal it feels much better achieving it.

She said, “I’ve often been told I’m too much, too opinionated, wear too much makeup, too dressed up, too loud, too crazy -- I guess being myself had led me in the right direction. Being in a male-dominated industry motivates me, even more, to be an example for women not only in aviation but more importantly, to motivate women to feel like they can be successful in any field they choose. It has been challenging as I had to work from the bottom up, and I was around men who were much FEW WINS: • My dream college was always

NYU, I was rejected after applying for two years in a row. Last year in

January, I was contacted to speak at the university. Felt like an unreal 360 moment. • First Indian female to lead a major private jet company • Flying celebrities, artists, directors, high net worth individuals I have looked up to for years (Names cannot be disclosed due to privacy reasons) • Having one of the highest closing rates of the company • Hit revenue goals every month despite pandemic • Client cultivation via network • Having a perfect customer service satisfaction record • Developing the confidence to negotiate with multimillionaires • Strengthened my leadership abilities and training individuals who are older than me • Partnering with top brands and exclusive villas of the market”

I KNEW I HAD TO WORK TWICE AS HARD TO RECEIVE JUST HALF THE CREDIT,

but I didn’t let that discourage me.

more experienced and knowledgeable than I was. I have never been shied to ask questions, it doesn’t make you any less intelligent by asking. The opposing person who is answering the question was once in your shoes as well.

Walking the road less traveled may feel empty at times, it may be hard to have your girlfriends relate to your work dilemmas as opposed to there, or hard to relate to coworkers if all majority are males but if you stay true to your path and yourself it can lead to beautiful destinations. I was feeling “lonely” at first since I didn’t have anyone like me to relate to or work with, and then I trained my mind to see this as a good thing, It meant there wasn’t anyone necessarily like me and that was my power, strength, and what makes me stand out. I embrace it fully.”

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR WOMEN’S BUSINESSES not only in

private aviation but as well as businesses in all industries

Suman said, “The future is bright for women’s businesses not only in private aviation but as well as businesses in all industries. It all starts with awareness. For example, many people are aware of women working as flight attendants for airlines, but we must expand and show the opportunities that private aviation has to offer as well. Women bring a different thought process and skill set which differs from men. It’s important to remember that being different does not necessarily mean it is a weakness, yet just a strength that is applied differently. Women generally have such a large network and many are naturally persuasive. Using their skills and natural instinctual tactics can help them go very far in sales overall. I plan on using my resources and would even like to mentor women in regards to sales, negotiating, learning body language, and how to build a strong foundation.”