Janine Iannarelli draws on disciplines learnt in the saddle to help in jet brokerage.
Janine Iannarelli, Par Avion: ‘When you think you’ve done enough, do more’
The Houston-based aircraft broker approaches life with the motto, “When you think you've done enough, do more”. This is how she stays one step ahead of new and existing clients. Words: Yuvan Kumar
Janine Iannarelli draws on disciplines learnt in the saddle to help in jet brokerage.
Janine Iannarelli, Par Avion: ‘When you think you’ve done enough, do more’
The Houston-based aircraft broker approaches life with the motto, “When you think you've done enough, do more”. This is how she stays one step ahead of new and existing clients. Words: Yuvan Kumar
IT IS THE discipline of a lifetime of outdoor activities – most prominently her days as a national equestrian competitor – which continue to wake Janine Iannarelli, president and founder of Par Avion, at 5:30am. “First order of the day is whatever exercise I plan – I generally start out on the bike and try to get my riding done before 7am.” Iannarelli has become an avid cyclist over the past 10 years, mounting her bike on an indoor training machine when the weather is too harsh to ride outside.
This is when Iannarelli catches her entertainment on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Recent favourites include: The Story of Europe and The Man in the High Castle. “I like to pick up something that doesn’t require my full attention because I need to focus on my training.”
She is usually working by 7:30am. “I don’t howl with the wolves at the moon. I’d rather soar with the eagles in the morning.” Iannarelli says structuring her days helped her during the pandemic. “Adhering to a schedule really helped me stay productive.” Especially as demand for pre-owned aircraft rebounded strongly in the latter part of 2020.
Physical meetings during the day slowed down for a period, but have been back on the rise, says Iannarelli. “Now that flight crews have returned [to the airport], I have a series of appointments set up to discuss changes in operations, market values for specific aircraft and whether I can assist with transactions.”
She likes to break up the day with lunch appointments. “I try to schedule these with other people within the trade that I need to learn something from, or perhaps we can develop something together.” Alternatively, she will set aside some time for weight training, yoga or pilates. For her, as Thomas Jefferson said: “A strong body is a strong mind.”
The evening begins with the national news at 5:30pm, after which Iannarelli works some more. Then it’s time walk her two dogs – a German Shepherd (Alexis) and a Miniature Dachshund (Luca). That’s before enjoying the long Texas evenings with a glass of wine – if she does not have plans with friends.
Iannarelli is currently engrossed in an Erik Larson book about Winston Churchill’s days as prime minister, called The Splendid and the Vile. “That’s my end of the day unwind.”
Her desire to improve her performance in business – as well as other aspects of life – finds its roots in show jumping. “I have often said to succeed in business, you need to be mentally tough. And riding is a sport that requires that strength,” says Iannarelli.
Although she hung up her competitive spurs eight years ago, Iannarelli sometimes considers returning to the show ring. “I may yet.”
Show jumping teaches the mental toughness needed to succeed in business.
German Shepherd Alexis is one of Janine Iannarelli’s two dogs.
Luca, a Miniature Dachshund, relaxes in a business jet.
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