Sim Shain, founder and CEO of ParaFlight EMS and Aviation and OrganFlights.com, became the success he is today, not by driving toward success, but by being led by his personal passion.
Shain, a volunteer and flight paramedic, established ParaFlight EMS and OrganFlights.com to connect organ donors with those in need, as quickly and efficiently as possible, via an app that teams up transplant centers and OPO’s with corporate aircraft. Think of it like Uber for organs.
The idea came from Shain’s personal friend, who tragically lost his life too soon, due to complications from the tragedy of 9/11, Steve Zakheim. The pair had begun to build on the idea prior to his untimely death, and Shain used the loss as a beacon to guide his future endeavors. We sat down with him to learn why business owners should prioritize mission, vision, and innovation above profits and how that prioritization will lead to both in the end.
Read on to discover how to stand out among your competitors, build a community within your company’s internal structure, create longevity for your business, and foster mental clarity within.
Your Purpose will Make You Stand Out
While Shain’s company has competition, he knows the importance of branding your authentic purpose to send a message to your target audience.
“It is a less glamorous truth — but still a fact – that a clear mission statement will cause your customer base to want to back you over your competitors. I haven’t seen anything similar to what I am doing. And, frankly, the more, the merrier in this particular specialty. Nonetheless, I feel that my brand is trusted by those who need to use my services,” said Shain. “They know that I have been through loss, and they know that my mission is to never say no to saving a life. And they are using that mission, not Sim Shain, not OrganFlights, but that mission, as a service.”
Your Employees Will Believe in Their Careers
By practicing your company mission statement from the inside out, you attract employees that fit into your organization’s mold and retain employees who want to stay part of the culture as you expand. This internal structure creates an image to the outside world that builds trust not only with your customers but with potential investors, future CEO candidates, and current stockholders. These factors are key if you want your business to live longer than you.
“If you are authentic in everything you do, in and out of the workplace, and that authenticity backs your company’s mission, your employees will follow,” Shain said. “Following your passion out loud inspires your teammates to do the same. That community feeling at work is invaluable to creating a satisfied employee base, which now more than ever has become increasingly important.”
Purpose is Built to Last; Profits Are Fleeting
“Focusing on real intentions as the backbone of your business will keep it sturdy for years to come. If you want to build an empire that will last long after you are gone, give it a purpose – a baton – that others will willingly pick up in your stead,” said Shain. “To a similar point, I recommend including innovation in your company goals. If you welcome individual thinking and problem-solving, your business stands a much higher chance of longevity. Being able to roll with the tides of each new decade is critical.”
This idea gave us something to think about — and as we did so, Shain had a final nugget to impart to us about the concept of mental clarity in business and how to grasp it.
Mental Clarity
Shain’s humble authenticity during our conversation, coupled with the events of recent years, reminds us that there are more important things than tax deductions and bottom lines. We hope his knowledge inspires you to rekindle your company mission statement — or draft one — and adopt it as your own. Strive to live by it each day. We feel confident that this determining focus will drive your profits with more gusto than would the action of laboriously taking the time to count every penny.
“A lasting benefit of purpose, innovation, and a clear mission statement is the personal gratification you will feel. Anyone can start a business, but it takes determination and follow through to prosper,” he stated. “Starting with a meaningful cause — no matter how small — will give you a reason to jump out of bed every morning and seize the day. That motivation will bring profits without you having to think about it. You will be so busy focusing on your mission and vision that your pockets will fill while you are being stimulated by what matters most to you, rather than worrying about money.”
About Sim Shain
Sim Shain, Founder and CEO of ParaFlight EMS and Aviation and OrganFlights.com, leads an impressive 29-year career working in the pre-hospital emergency medical space. He is a noteworthy leader who takes on challenging responsibilities leading corporate, medical, and charity flights and missions, specializing in organ transplants. For more information, please visit https://paraflight.aero/
