Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Pires.
Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Like many women in the aviation industry, I started my career as a Flight Attendant, but as a Corporate Flight Attendant. Many aren’t aware of the difference. I wasn’t either until I found out. LOL As a CFA, I put in long hours, and traveled to places I never thought of going, let alone dreamt of, but I knew I found my calling. I was offered a Manager position and became an In-Flight Service Director. That position offered many opportunities to gain experience and knowledge, but also to display my strengths and network in the industry where I found my passion. I was given a job to stage an aircraft and my work spoke for itself.
In fact, it helped me get several other paid opportunities to design and stage the interior of aircrafts for owners and operators of private jets. As I worked in the industry, I found other ways to hone in on new and different opportunities throughout the industry. I found out you could broker flights and trips, so I did it! I began brokering flights for private aircrafts, which only helped me network even more and meet more of the right people, and as I did all of this, I continued to fly as a CFA. Being a CFA is what not only gave me my start but kept me relevant. The more I flew the more contacts I made. I always put clients first and my service and character was enough to get me spoken about and requested. I completed several US CFA trainings to ensure I knew it all, and what I didn’t, I would learn.
Additionally, I took and completed several European Based training because I knew their service standards were in high demand. Now I am able to offer that to students who take my training. The women in the industry were what motivated me to start my business. The more I became in demand, I saw what most of them were missing and where I could help. I saw a demand for more women like me in the industry and thought, “I can do this”! So I started VVIP International Corporate Flight Attendant Training and Agency, where I began training and staffing Corporate Flight Attendants.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can’t say there’s anything in life worth having if you don’t work for it. Starting VVIP definitely came with challenges and even setbacks. There were already many schools in the industry who offered CFA training and I knew I would have to contend with that and find a way to be a cut above the rest. Getting my name out there was also a bit challenging. Even those who I knew only knew me by Lauren, and until people learned the affiliation with me to VVIP, I had to work to get the name out there.
This is an industry that unfortunately, can come with many “nay-sayers” as they say. Keeping yourself reputable and respected was difficult. This industry can be very cut-throat. Keeping a good reputation is essential, in fact key! I heard that there is only about 2% of women who are leading in this industry, but here I am. It’s important for people to know there is hard work to be done and hard days that come with it, but that’s how I built a strong team at VVIP International. Success can be yours if you really want it.
Please tell us about V.V.I.P International- In Flight Training and Agency Services.
VVIP International Corporate Flight Attendant training and Agency serve people who would like to get into the aviation industry, and who want to start their career as a Corporate Flight Attendant. At VVIP, we provide all of the essential training necessary to enter the industry as a CFA, and more. I have created VVIP so that we supercede the expected and provide the unforgettable. VVIP can cover everything from Safety and In-Flight training to staffing following the completion of our training program. We really do it all when it comes to CFA’s in this business.
Our trainees are taught to go above and beyond for passengers so much so, that their wants and needs are considered and fulfilled prior to their flight. We want to be known as providing the best service and the best experience and the industry. We don’t only cater to passengers we cater to owners and operators. We cover all of their daily operations with the CFA’s we staff. They are trained to do all the necessary to ensure a smooth flight for all. They create budgets, stock inventory, and provide overall aircraft management. Our team is experienced with expenses and reporting them to the owners when required. We want to make it easy for them, and we want to save them money. This is a very expensive industry where we watch the money because we are providing the best excellence on board.
As the owner, I am very proud of VVIP International and how far we have come, but I am also proud of how far I’ve come. I evolved from a young girl with dreams of traveling the world to a woman who is a worldwide traveler and entrepreneur. What makes me the most proud today is that I built a successful woman-owned company that is predominantly operated by women as well. Today I think that is what is important and that the message I want to give is that women can hold positions of leadership and be successful. I am proud to help other women break into this industry and proud to help people in general who would like a start. I am proud to see them all fly as we say at VVIP International “One flight at a time.”
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Here’s the truth. I was exposed to traveling at a very young age. In my family, we believed in culture and that you learn through experience and culture together. I have an aunt who is a very independent woman. She sort of led the way for many of the career women in our family. She was an educator, counselor, professor, administrator, earned her doctorate, you name it.
As if that wasn’t enough one day she tells the family she was taking flying lessons and wanted to learn to fly a plane. If I didn’t physically jump out of my seat I know inside I did. I wasn’t as shocked as I was excited and inspired. Without thinking, I shouted out, “can I go too”? Luckily she is the kind of aunt and individual who believes so vehemently about education and inspiring youth that she said absolutely, and thanks to her I have my best childhood memory. Flying from a private airport in a private jet with my aunt piloting the plane. Fantastic to say the least!
Contact Info:
- Address: 350 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139 - Website: https://vvipinterantional.com
- Phone: (305) 771-4717
- Email: inquiry@vvipintl.com and operations@vvipintl.com
- Instagram: vvipintl
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/vvipintl/
- Twitter: @vvipintl
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