Every business owner has a story.
From Sky to Success: The Vanessa Blakeley Story
At seventeen, while most teenagers were figuring out their weekend plans, Vanessa Blakeley was already a certificated pilot, navigating the skies with the confidence that would later define her approach to business leadership. That early morning at Aurora Aviation in Oregon, when she first soloed in a Cessna 152 at just sixteen, wasn't just about earning her wings—it was the moment she discovered that with the right guidance, anyone could soar beyond what they thought possible.
Today, that same philosophy drives everything Vanessa does as the founder of Echo Bravo Inc.
The Journey Takes Flight
Vanessa's path wasn't typical. After spending years in nearly every role an FBO requires, she witnessed firsthand how small aviation businesses struggled to scale. She saw brilliant entrepreneurs with groundbreaking ideas in aerospace and aviation design, but watched them hit turbulence when it came to building sustainable teams and systems.
"I kept seeing the same pattern," Vanessa reflects. "Incredible technical minds who could design the future of flight, but were stuck trying to figure out how to transform their passion into a thriving business."
That's when she realized her true calling wasn't just flying planes—it was helping others navigate the complex airspace of business growth.
Building More Than Businesses
For the past decade, Vanessa has made it her mission to bridge that gap. Working closely with startups, she's developed a unique approach that goes beyond traditional consulting. She doesn't just advise—she embeds herself in the culture, helping transform loose collections of talented individuals into high-performing teams that move with precision and purpose.
Her work extends far beyond the office. As an Industry Advisor for MIT's UPOP program, Vice Chair of the Eastern New England Ninety-Nines, and through her involvement with AOPA's ASN program, Vanessa has consistently championed the next generation of aviation entrepreneurs, particularly women breaking barriers in aerospace.
Grounded in Values
What sets Vanessa apart isn't just her impressive resume—it's her unwavering commitment to giving back. From volunteering on agricultural research projects with the City of Boston to living and working on an organic apple farm in Hungary through WWOOF, she believes that true success is measured not just in profit margins, but in positive impact.
This philosophy is woven into the DNA of Echo Bravo Inc., where team time dedicated to volunteer work isn't just encouraged—it's essential.
Your Co-Pilot for Growth
With her Master's in Executive Leadership & Administration from Boston College and her role as an Adjunct Professor at Endicott College's Gerrish School of Business, Vanessa brings both academic rigor and real-world experience to every partnership.
But perhaps most importantly, she brings the perspective of someone who has navigated her own transformation—from a teenager with a dream of flying to a leader helping others achieve their own impossible dreams.
When you partner with Echo Bravo Inc., you're not just hiring a consultant. You're gaining a co-pilot who understands that every successful business, like every successful flight, requires careful planning, skilled navigation, and the courage to reach for new heights.
Ready for Takeoff?
The same instincts that helped Vanessa solo at sixteen and build Echo Bravo Inc. into a trusted partner for countless startups are now focused on one mission: helping your business not just survive, but truly soar.
The runway is clear. The conditions are right. All that's left is to take off.
