What really separates the ultra-wealthy from everyone else? Is it luck, timing, or something deeper—an unshakable way of seeing the world?In this fascinating and candid conversation, I sit down with Steve Varsano—founder of The Jet Business, the world’s first street-level showroom for private jets, and a man who has spent decades advising and negotiating with some of the most successful entrepreneurs, executives, and industry leaders on the planet.We talk about: • The defining traits and mindsets of today’s top performers (and how they differ from past generations) • Why passion—not money—drives the most enduring success stories • The role of resilience, relationships, and reading energy in business • Steve’s harrowing first jet sale that ended with a gun to his head—and the life lessons he carried from it • How to create your own “lucky breaks” by being out in the world and taking bold action • The importance of vision, adaptability, and staying true to your values, even in high-stakes dealsFrom life-or-death moments to behind-the-scenes insights on billionaires’ decision-making, this episode is part masterclass in entrepreneurship, part survival story, and part blueprint for building a life and business on your own terms.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned founder, or simply curious about the hidden mindsets of the ultra-successful, this conversation will shift how you see risk, relationships, and the meaning of success itself.
00:00 – 🎙️ Introduction to Steve Varsano and The Jet Business00:01:15 – 🛩️ How Steve became known as “the jet guy”00:02:03 – 🌍 The global shift in private jet ownership and clientele00:03:22 – 💡 The evolving mindset of the ultra-wealthy over the past 25 years00:05:05 – ❤️ Why passion—not money—is the real driver of lasting success00:07:48 – 🚫 Never taking no for an answer and overcoming negativity00:09:10 – 🤝 Building trust and relationships with elite clients00:12:05 – 🏢 Creating the world’s first jet showroom in London00:15:18 – 👀 The power of face-to-face connection in business00:18:44 – 🔫 The dramatic story of Steve’s first jet sale and a gunpoint threat00:24:12 – 💪 Acting on instinct in high-stakes situations00:27:00 – 📋 The importance of keeping your word and delivering on promises00:29:18 – ✈️ Lessons from a career spanning aviation, private equity, and luxury sales00:32:42 – 🗺️ Why having a clear “flight plan” matters for life and business00:36:10 – 🎯 Writing down your 10–20 year vision00:39:28 – 🍀 How to “get hit by the lucky bus” through relentless action00:43:15 – 🌐 The value of getting out in the world vs. working from home00:46:28 – 🎟️ Creating your own opportunities by showing up00:49:50 – 💼 How Steve landed his first major job through persistence00:53:42 – 🔍 Finding creative solutions when clients want the impossible00:57:05 – 🧠 The role of positive thinking in making deals happen01:00:14 – 🙏 The importance of appreciation, even at the top01:04:00 – 💬 Final reflections on resilience, relationships, and opportunity
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