What happens when your private jet client knows more than your sales team?
In this episode, Dan Harris speaks with Kimberly Herrell, CEO of Schubach Aviation, about what it takes to stay relevant in a market where clients are getting smarter, younger, and more values-driven. From building trust with first-time charter clients to keeping high-frequency fliers loyal, Kimberly shares real-world lessons from decades of running one of California’s most respected boutique charter companies.
She opens up about inheriting a legacy, modernizing the brand, and the unique pressures of operating in a city like San Diego — where tech, lifestyle, and luxury expectations are always in the air.
Inside this episode:
✦ Why Schubach focuses on loyalty over scale
✦ How younger clients are reshaping private aviation expectations
✦ What first-time flyers actually want — and how to earn their trust
✦ The hidden risks of brokering trips with unknown operators
✦ How Kimberly navigated legacy, succession, and brand evolution
✦ Why "boutique" doesn’t mean small — it means intentional
If you care about reputation, retention, and delivering luxury that lasts — this conversation will hit home.
🔧 Sponsored by:
Charter Flight Support — Backstop coverage when mechanicals delay your mission. charterflightsupport.com
Video Valet — Inflight entertainment with no Wi-Fi required. Mention Iron Bird and receive a complimentary iPad setup. videovalet.io
✈️ The Iron Bird Podcast brings together the voices shaping private aviation today — for the clients, owners, and operators who care about doing it right.
Catch all episodes at: flyironbird.com