For Cory Bengtzen, turning to aviation wasn’t just a career move; it was a return to his lifelong passion.

Long before founding SkyShare, Cory was thriving in the automotive world. He ran one of Utah’s largest dealerships by the age of 25. While he was financially successful, he felt no personal fulfillment. This was when he found himself drawn back to the dream he’d carried since high school— flying and aviation.

Cory began buying and selling small airplanes “for fun,” which eventually turned into a small company that he called CB Aviation. This company grew until it eventually became SkyShare. Nearly two decades later, Cory now leads one of the largest private jet operators in Utah, serving hundreds of clients across the western United States.

But SkyShare’s story isn’t just about aviation: it’s about persistence, culture, trust, and the willingness to follow passion even when the path forward is uncertain.

Trading Automobiles for Airplanes

Cory originally entered the car business, intending it to be temporary. Instead, it became a 15-year career that taught him the fundamentals of leadership, sales, and operations.

Yet something was missing.

“I just wasn’t happy. It wasn’t my passion,” he shared. “I just mentally made the decision, even if I made less money, I would rather go to work doing something I absolutely love and being a part of something I loved.”

So, at around 30 years old, Cory made the bold decision to sell his dealership and start fresh in aviation, despite knowing he had little idea what he was doing at the time.

What followed was far from an overnight success. He started with a small office at the Ogden Airport and countless cold calls to aircraft owners. Slowly, his business began to build.

The Idea That Changed Everything

Cory had one defining moment in SkyShare’s founding, and that came from a moment of curiosity.

While transporting an aircraft with a contract pilot, Cory had learned about fractional ownership: an approach that allows multiple owners to share the cost and use of a private jet. He recognized this as an opportunity to grow in the western U.S. and decided to try it himself.

However, the plan nearly collapsed before it even began.

Cory found himself facing a deadline to purchase his first aircraft, but he didn’t have enough buyers. He was prepared to return deposits. It seemed that all would be lost for his aviation dreams.

Then, Cory was presented with an opportunity from a client.

“Cory, I really want to do this. What if I loan you the money personally to buy this first airplane to get it going?” says Cory about the encounter. “And that’s how it started.”

That leap of faith launched SkyShare’s fractional ownership model, which is now the heart of the company.

Delivering More Than a Flight

Now, 17 years later, SkyShare is booming with business. Cory was able to make his dreams a reality and continues to do so every day.

But what makes SkyShare stand out? What draws people to use private aviation? Cory has identified three primary reasons that answer just that:

  1. Business efficiency. Executives can visit multiple cities in a single day and still make it home for dinner.
  2. Business development. Private flights create memorable business experiences that strengthen partnerships and close deals.
  3. Better life experiences. Clients are able to avoid long security lines and crowded airports, often starting their vacations the moment they step onto the plane.

These experiences continue to draw clients back to SkyShare.

On top of this, SkyShare has expanded its offerings to include charter services, aircraft management, sales, and an innovative membership program that allows travelers to book empty-leg flights for a flat annual fee. Today, the company employs roughly 140 people, about half of whom are pilots.

SkyShare’s business is able to serve everyone; whether you’re a client or an employee, they have resources to fit the needs of everyone.

Building a Culture of Trust

For Cory, the growth of SkyShare has always been tied to culture.

A pivotal conversation with a prospective client once challenged him to rethink his leadership approach. When asked about the company’s core values, Cory realized he couldn’t recall them without reading from a list.

That experience sparked a reset.

Today, SkyShare operates around four core values:

  • Deliver the Wow
  • Be Solutions-Focused
  • Fueled by Passion
  • Team Alignment

Ever since Cory shifted his ideas around the company’s core values, he has seen significant growth from clients and employees alike.

He said, “I think that’s something that we’ve done really, really well with the culture within our company is our core values. Our team knows when I walk down the hall, I hear them saying it…  And I believe that’s one of the reasons we’ve had some explosive growth.”

Why Utah Matters

Though SkyShare serves the broader western U.S., Utah remains central to its identity.

Cory credits the state’s economic momentum, strong business community, and family-oriented culture as key advantages.

“I tell everybody Utah’s the best place to live… it’s the best place to come home to,” he says. “We’re staying, and actually we’re growing even more.”

SkyShare’s commitment to its homeland continues to deepen. They were recently awarded the opportunity to take over operations at the West Jordan airport; another milestone in the company’s regional growth.

Giving Back at 30,000 Feet

Cory’s success has also created opportunities for service and giving back to the community.

SkyShare regularly participates in Angel Flights, which transports patients (often children) from rural areas to hospitals. In one especially meaningful mission, the team arranged a trip to Lake Powell for a local 32-year old man as his final wish during his last week of life.

“Stuff like that we can do to give back—we love to,” Cory said. “I believe in just giving back and doing the right thing and putting your client first and taking care of your team.”

Lessons for Entrepreneurs

Looking back, Cory shares the reality about entrepreneurship. It’s no secret that it takes time, money, and sacrifice to make your dreams happen.

“There were many nights I’m like, ‘I didn’t know if I’m going to make payroll the next day,’” he recalled.

Because he knows the long path of business, he has some advice for founders:

  • Get clear on who you are as a company.
  • Keep your focus; don’t chase every shiny opportunity.
  • Hire and lead with core values.
  • Stay persistent; success rarely comes quickly.

Above all, he believes doing the right thing and working hard creates opportunities over time.

Looking Ahead

SkyShare is now entering what Cory calls a “monumental step” forward: SkyShare is expanding into heavy jets capable of carrying up to 14 passengers and competing with the industry’s largest providers.

Some of their future plans include acquisitions, geographic expansion, and continued innovation. All of which will be done with disciplined execution.

“We’ve taken on a lot. And so now it’s just to make sure we execute at a very high level,” he says.

Nearly 17 years after taking a chance on aviation, Cory is still energized by the work. The future is bright, and he’s ready to take it on.

“Talking airplanes all day is like my dream job, and I get to do it every day. That’s awesome.”

Want the full story behind SkyShare’s journey?
Listen to the complete MountainWest Capital Network Podcast episode, where Cory shares how he turned his life passion into a business and is living out his dream job every day.

[Listen to Cory’s full story here →]

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/turning-private-aviation-into-a-growth-engine/id1818372923?i=1000749419640 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4UF2Rkof1CqgJRJYgh01nM?si=52cd00ebd2db4a83 

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