The Gstaad Guy sits down with Steve Varsano, founder of The Jet Business, the world’s first street-level showroom for corporate aviation, to trace his rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential dealmakers in private aviation. With a career spanning entrepreneurship, corporate acquisitions, and global jet sales, Steve has built his reputation on vision, resilience, and an unmatched ability to close high-stakes deals.
The conversation explores the inner workings of the aviation business, from M&A and corporate jet transactions to navigating negotiations with precision and confidence. Steve reflects on the discipline behind deal-making, the relationships that sustain success at the highest levels, and the entrepreneurial mindset that turns challenges into opportunities. A rare insight into how relentless drive and the art of the deal define one of the most exclusive industries in the world.
Filmed at The Jet Business showroom in London.
Chapters:
Steve Varsano Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(02:22) Entering the aviation world ✈️🌍
(03:58) Aviation lobbyist 🛩️ 🏛️
(06:08) The first sale 💼💰
(12:33) Private Jet vs. Corporate Jet 🛩️⚖️
(12:45) The Jet Business 🏢✈️
(15:19) The reality of entrepreneurship 🚀💡
(17:51) Corporate jet landscape 🌐🛩️
(25:43) Friendship vs. Business 🤝🏻💼
(27:11) Doing business with friends 👫💼
(30:10) Building your personal brand 👤🌟
(33:44) A chameleon in life & business 🦎💫💼
(38:08) Ego is the worst trait 🙅♂️😤
(40:27) Winning on feeling and not on paper ❤️📄❌
(44:59) Importance of asking questions ❓🧠
(47:54) Shift to corporate aviation 🔄✈️
(51:07) Buying time ⏳💵
(55:28) Why fly corporate? ✈️💼
(59:36) Corporate travel etiquette 🛫🤵
(01:04:21) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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