“It’s hard work first. And then it’s about failing fast, cheaply. Once you learn the formula for success, it’s all about replicating it.” – Paul Malicki’s formula for achieving success.
Paul Malicki, CEO of Flapper, the world’s largest business aviation app and probably the only business aviation platform dependent on mobile traffic with more than 100’000 quotations every month, uses their technology to provide the best user experience.
In this interview, Paul Malicki shares his thoughts on marketing strategies and channels that might generate success for businesses, developing new ideas, employee hiring, and important advice on becoming successful with Business Upside.
Edited Excerpts from the Interview:
Business Upside [BU]: How did the idea about your business come about?
Paul Malicki [PM]: The app was created by me (former CMO and partner at Easy Taxi) and executives from Qiwi, a fintech company. Together, the co-founders saw that the business aviation market lacks digitization and a sharing economy. The idea came up in 2015, first with a helicopter app, which quickly evolved in early March, before me and Arthur Virzin (former Qiwi CTO) decided to launch a product focused on the fixed-wing market.
After more than six months of testing and developing the application, the beta version was released in June 2016. The first flights took place during the Olympic Games, with a mix of charter and scheduled flights. The proximity of Rio de Janeiro Jacarepaguá Airport to the Olympic Games Complex helped the company create the demand for its service and prepare the market for an entirely new solution.
Business Upside [BU]: What was your mission at the outset?
Paul Malicki [PM]: We wanted to bring private aviation closer to end-users, facilitating access to such service. We also saw an opportunity in expanding the market onto the upper-middle class through shared flights. Today, you can fly using Flapper on predefined pay-per-seat routes for as little as $200.
Our mission moving forward oscillates around the concept of sustainability and electrification of aviation. We are probably the only company globally that currently has as many as 4 Letters-of-intent signed in the space of AAM (advanced air mobility).
Business Upside [BU]: How do you market your business, and which channels have been most successful?
Paul Malicki [PM]: We use a 360-degree marketing strategy based on a mix of online and offline. There is not just one best-performing channel. PR and Big media, for example, help us with awareness, but to “convert” the client, you need to meet them in person through the traditional sales process or activate your digital channels.
Our social media following currently counts more than 100’000 users, and we are very proud of our community. They engage with our pages and support our growth with useful tips and suggestions.
Business Upside [BU]: What is unique about your business?
Paul Malicki [PM]: The flapper is the world’s largest business aviation app. Hence, it’s probably the only business aviation platform dependent on mobile traffic. We receive more than 100’000 quotations every month, and we use our technology to attend to those users who need our service.
Business Upside [BU]: How do you generate new ideas?
Paul Malicki [PM]: We have a few weekly calls; some are generic, some related to specific functional areas. That’s where a lot of brainstorming takes place. We attend the industry’s best shows and read about the latest trends. All of that inspires us to be more and more creative and excel at product development.
But frankly speaking, a lot of new ideas stem from testing and failure, and it’s an iterative job, like in any startup.
Business Upside [BU]: If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting, what would it be?
Paul Malicki [PM]: Be prepared for many months of low pay and hard work. Starting a new technology company in conservative industries is not easy, and it requires extreme focus and dedication from the founders and mid-management.
Business Upside [BU]: What do you look for in an employee?
Paul Malicki [PM]: We hire for attitude and motivation, as long as the skills we look for are in there. It’s challenging to evaluate someone without working together for a few months. We also value a lot of references from ex-employers. Typically, the best employees leave their previous jobs having built solid relationships with their bosses.
Business Upside [BU]: Do you believe there is some sort of formula or pattern to become a successful businessman?
Paul Malicki [PM]: It’s hard work first. And then it’s about failing fast, cheaply. Once you learn the formula for success, it’s all about replicating it. To make your first million takes a lot of time, and the second million is just a formality.
Business Upside [BU]: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Paul Malicki [PM]: I would say I really enjoy the process, not the end result. I am very happy each time we achieve our objectives while respecting our existing guidelines and cementing a task ownership culture.
Business Upside [BU]: What motivates you to become an entrepreneur?
Paul Malicki [PM]: Generating jobs and creating other leaders. We don’t work to continue as CEOs forever. We would like our best partners and managers to become our bosses one day so that we can take a day off (finally).
Company URL: https://www.flyflapper.com/
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulonstartups/
