On October 8, 2025, the Next in Management Team at Franklin had the pleasure of hosting Olivier Knutti, CEO and Founder of 88K, for an inspiring session on entrepreneurship, perseverance, and leadership in the aviation industry. This event was made possible through the support of Franklin alumnus Sebastian Jung (Class of 2025), who recently began his post-undergraduate career as an aircraft sales engineer 88K.
Knutti’s story began with a life-changing ski accident at the age of fifteen that redirected his ambitions from competitive skiing to aviation. Determined to pursue this new passion, he trained as a pilot. He began his professional journey in aircraft sales, mastering every step of the process, from evaluation and marketing to negotiation and execution.
Although he achieved early success, Knutti soon realized that he wanted to build something of his own. Leaving a secure role behind, he founded 88K, an independent aircraft sales and consulting company. The first year brought no sales for twelve months, a challenge that tested his resilience and forced him to redefine what success meant. Those early setbacks became the foundation for his entrepreneurial philosophy and leadership approach.
Throughout his talk, Knutti shared a set of guiding principles that resonated deeply with himself and the students:
- Stand Out: Know your motivation and articulate it clearly. Be authentic, distinctive, and put effort into everything you do.
- Stay Upwind: In aviation, flying against the wind helps an aircraft climb. Similarly, taking the more challenging path builds strength and skill. Invest in growth, not just gain.
- Build Your Circle: Surround yourself with mentors and peers who inspire and challenge you. Success is always a collective effort.
- Find Your Thing: Discover what gives you energy. Stay curious, embrace risk, and dream big.
- Go All the Way: Keep showing up and compounding your effort over time. Progress is built through consistency, not perfection.
Reflecting on his journey, Knutti credited his background in ski racing for teaching him focus, discipline, and mental endurance, traits that proved invaluable in business. He also discussed the significant impact of his journey on the evolving private aviation market, particularly in the United States, where rising global demand continues to create new opportunities and challenges for the industry.
As he concluded his talk, Knutti left students with a powerful question and a challenge:
“If you couldn’t fail, what would you do?”
He encouraged everyone in the room to imagine their boldest goals and then set out to achieve them.
Written by: Denzel Louis
Date: October 8th, 2025