Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Shults-Umfleet.
Hi Brenda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My late husband’s mother, Edwina E. Shults, started this business in 1986 in a tiny corner of Cavenaugh’s Flight Museum. I started working with her after disability forced my military retirement in 2002. She is my best friend, my advisor… she is simply one of the most amazing women I know. She was even my matron of honor at my recent wedding. At nearly 84 years old she decided to retire, and I just couldn’t see this business we built in the hands of someone that wouldn’t care about the history and lives that have depended on its success; her family, my family, my four children’s families. So, my husband and I bought it. I have been managing operations here for 23 years already, so I am hopeful we will be able to continue her legacy for many years to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We have had to work through all of the same aviation concerns every other aviation company has….. 9/11, pandemics, inflation, supply chain issues…. We just have learned when to scale back and do with less. We have often had other jobs to keep this one afloat. I will say we are lucky that as one of the three oldest pilot shops in the world we were able to learn the hard lessons when it was most lucrative. If you make a mistake now it can be dream ending! Margins are smaller, free shipping is a thing of the past, and…. Amazon. One thing that keeps us in the game is that many aviation products are something you have to see, touch and experience to determine if it fits in your flight circumstances. I use this analogy a lot. “I can make a Bic look like a Cross online all day, any day; but in the end you just paid me $40 for a Bic.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Addison Pilot Shop?
Everyone always asks, “What is a pilot Shop?” Well, we supply all the things pilots need in the cockpit, what aircraft owners need for detailing and keeping them airworthy, and all these pilots? Well, they also need to learn how to be pilots first and foremost. So, we handle curriculum needs for many instructors, flight schools and college programs.
We also support medical and life flight operations, Dallas Police Department. In fact, my late father-in-law was one of the original four DPD helicopter pilots, Aaron Lawrence “Larry” Shults.
We also have aviation themed fun stuff! Gifts and novels, toys… Christmas ornaments! Nothing I dislike more than needing a gift for someone and seeing the same thing everywhere I look. So, we try to curate with makers and seek out vendors outside of the box. We try to have unique offerings and higher quality items for our clients. That doesn’t always mean the highest price items.
With 9 granddaughters it is wonderful seeing women represented in aviation, more so than in decades before. The number of female pilots continues to grow, and we are at I think 14% now! So, seeing these changes represented in the market offerings keeps me excited for our future.
We are known worldwide and have stocked shops in London, France, Switzerland, and Nairobi. Not bad for a small business that doesn’t sell online!
We are the only authorized Bose Aviation dealers in TX, and I fully intend to keep it that way.
My theory is that if these pilots run out of money I run out of a job, so we will never try to upsale, or not be competitive with our online counterparts. If it isn’t here it is probably because no one wants it, but i will get it for you if you decide you need it
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
just because you love it doesn’t mean your clients will. Where inventory is concerned, editing is key!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.addisonpilotshop.com
- Instagram: Addison Pilot Shop
- Facebook: Addison Pilot Shop
