Episode 36- Grounded in Business, Soaring into Aviation: One Entrepreneur's Bold Leap

In this episode of Fly the Transition, we sit down with CFII JD Parsons, a helicopter pilot, flight school owner, and the founder of On the Ball Coffee, an aviation-themed coffee company. JD’s journey into aviation is anything but ordinary—before taking to the skies, he was a successful entrepreneur running a trucking company, a street sweeping business, and several gas stations. But despite his accomplishments, JD felt unfulfilled and yearned for something more. Tune in as JD shares how he made the bold decision to leave it all behind for a career in aviation. From flying helicopters to building his own flight school, JD’s passion for flight continues to grow. He also dives into the mission of On the Ball Coffee, which goes beyond just brewing great coffee—it's about giving back to the aviation community through scholarships for aspiring pilots and raising awareness about the world of aviation. Whether you're an aspiring aviator or someone searching for fulfillment through a career change, JD’s story of grit, risk-taking, and chasing dreams will inspire you to chart your own path in aviation. Don’t miss this episode packed with insights on entrepreneurship, aviation training, and how to turn a passion for flying into a business with impact. On the Ball Coffee: https://ontheballcoffee.com AeroExploration: Check out Jim's new YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Social Media Handles: Website: ⁠⁠www.flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/flythetranstion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jim on Instagram: ⁠@flymidwestjim⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Sponsor Information:Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.