What happens when a childhood dream meets real-world turbulence?
In this episode of Flight Level Zero, host Joe Peebles talks with Sameer Romani — an aviation lifer who went from drawing 777s as a kid to co-founding his own jet-management startup in college.
Sameer opens up about building EssenceJet, learning hard business lessons, and finding identity beyond the job title. Now part of Aviation Partners (API) — the innovators behind those iconic blended winglets — Sameer shares how mentorship, failure, and curiosity shaped his path.
💬 Topics we cover:
How a 15-year-old landed lunch with Boeing’s BBJ president
What building and closing a startup really feels like
The importance of mentorship and accountability
Why “your job title isn’t who you are”
The future of winglets, performance, and business aviation
✈️ About Flight Level Zero:
Hosted by Joe Peebles, this show dives into self-development, resilience, and real stories from leaders across aviation and beyond. It’s where growth and grit meet the flight line.
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Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameerromani/
https://www.aviationpartners.com/
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