I was featured in this profile from the February issue of Counselor magazine. I feel that they over simplified or glossed over some things I wish they would have focused on concerning our company. I hope it allows you to see a little more into my life, assuming you were interested to begin with.
PDF version also available,
Bryan
Air-Traffic Controller Turned Distributor
By Dave Vagnoni
It’s 9:00 on a Wednesday night and Bryan Thompson’s day is far
from over. At arguably the busiest airport in the country, Thompson is working
as an air traffic controller, nearly finished his shift. About eight hours earlier,
he arrived in the tower, after working all morning at his “day job.”
And he still has energy left to burn. “Usually, after work I go to the
gym for a while,” he says.
It was almost 30 years ago when Thompson enrolled in the United States Marine
Corps. At the time, he was a professional photographer, but opted for a change.
“The $5,000 bonus helped convince me to sign up,” Thompson admits.
While he came close to choosing a path as a pilot, he decided instead to pursue
a different type of career in aviation. Before he left for boot camp, he had
never been on an airplane. Today, after stops in places like Tennessee, South
Carolina and Louisiana, Thompson works six days a week at O’Hare Airport
in Chicago.
“Sometimes it’s stressful, sure,” he says. “I used to
love getting up and going to work. I got paid well. More recently, things have
changed a bit and it’s more about procedures. But it’s still a good
challenge.”
Thompson concedes he’s looking forward to retirement. He actually has
a retirement countdown clock ticking on his computer. With his future in mind,
he’s started to pour his heart into his promotional products business,
Full Moon Rising Inc. (asi/199736). Along with two partners, who are also air
traffic controllers, Thompson generates annual revenues of over $400,000.
“We started as basically a non-profit,” he says. “We would
sell embroidered items at conventions for the National Air Traffic Controllers
Association. People wanted jackets, shirts, belt buckles and key tags. A few
years ago, we decided to incorporate.”
While Thompson sold logoed products, he also made time to design the first ever
Web site for the NATCA. Plus, he served as an editor for the quarterly, 48-page
union newsletter. “My friends are used to the fact I’m always busy,”
he says.
Busy, but happy. Thompson is also an avid musician. He plays the saxophone,
trumpet and piano and recently he bought an electric guitar. But he’s
not a guitar expert just yet. “I’m trying to find time to learn
it,” he says. Working through the office of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley,
Thompson also shoots photographs of the city’s annual Jazz Fest and Blues
Fest. The photos are often used on brochures. “I work pro bono, in exchange
for access to the shows,” he says.
And there’s more. Thompson enjoys riding motorcycles as well. He’s
ridden cross-country to honor prisoners of war. Despite his growing interests,
Thompson is committed to his company. He feels his business is doing well, despite
the economic slump. “I take time to talk to people,” he explains.
“Sometimes I’m on the phone for 20 or 30 minutes with a customer
getting to know them. We send ‘thank you’ cards to everyone who
places an order. And we send Christmas cards out, too. I think it makes a difference.”
Thompson says he’s creating more profits by adding more customers and
focusing on marketing USA-made apparel to clients. He uses social networking
sites like MySpace and Facebook to promote his work. “Recently, the orders
haven’t been as big, but we’re getting more of them and that’s
helping,” he says. “If you don’t try new things, you’ll
never know what works.”
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