Beau Garrett trained Navy and Air Force officers as a CFI, flew corporate jets out of Atlanta, lost his job in the 2008 financial crisis, and came out the other side with an MBA, a consulting career, and a $2,000 Facebook survey that would change everything.That survey got 1,800 responses. Those responses built a product. That product landed a design patent, a feature in AOPA Pilot Magazine, and a partnership with the Wright Brothers Family Foundation. The brand started as Bravo Golf. In 2025, it became Call Sign.In this episode, Tim Jedrek sits down with Beau to talk about building a brand inside one of the most tight-knit, skeptical communities in the world, and what every flight school owner can take from his story.WHAT WE COVER:• How Beau went from IFS instructor to corporate pilot to watch brand founder• The $2,000 Facebook survey that gave him his product roadmap• Why Call Sign does less on purpose, and why that is the whole point• The design patent behind the crescent Zulu time window• How a chance conversation at Sun 'n Fun led to a Wright Brothers partnership• Why he walked away from a brand name that was working• How Call Sign grows revenue at in-person events vs. digital• The free affiliate program flight schools can sign up for right now• The one piece of advice Beau would give every student pilot starting outFLIGHT SCHOOL OWNERS: Call Sign has a free affiliate program built specifically for you. Sign up at mycallsign.com, get a custom co-branded brochure printed and shipped to your school at no cost, earn a commission on every student purchase, and give your students an exclusive discount they can not get anywhere else.LINKS MENTIONED:Call Sign Watches: https://www.mycallsign.comCall Sign on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callsignwatchesAOPA Pilot Magazine Review: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/november/pilot/products-bravo-golf-watchesABOUT THE AVIATION BUSINESS PODCAST:The Aviation Business Podcast is hosted by Tim Jedrek, founder of Right Rudder Marketing, the only full-service digital marketing agency built exclusively for flight schools. Each episode features founders, operators, and industry leaders building something real inside aviation.Want to be a guest? Call us at 314-804-1200 or email info@rightruddermarketing.com.Looking to grow your flight school? Visit rightruddermarketing.com and schedule a strategy call with our team.