Her Story
About Dionne
I've been in aviation for a little over 2 years now, working as a corporate flight attendant on private aircraft. Before this, I spent over a decade in anti-aging medicine, where I was changing lives and making people healthy and happy. I was very good at what I did, but I had become complacent because the challenges were no longer there. I'm a very high stimulus person, so I need constant challenging. When I was turning a big milestone birthday, I woke up and asked myself, I've always wanted to be a flight attendant, so if not now, when? I literally upended my life and went running full speed off the cliff, figuring I'd either crash and burn or sprout wings on the way down. I just figured it out as I went along. What I do goes far beyond just showing up and throwing drinks and food. There's so much work in preparation. I spend time researching my guests, researching the destination, running around to places like Crate & Barrel, Whole Foods, and Barnes & Noble to get items together for personalized welcome gifts. I try to create that feeling where people will forget what you say and what you do, but they'll never forget how you made them feel, as Maya Angelou said. I offer white glove service, wearing silk white cotton gloves, greeting guests at the bottom of the stairs. I'm very specific and deliberate about every step I take. I still get excited for every flight, I still get nervous for every flight, but it keeps me on my toes and reminds me to be appreciative of the position that I'm in.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dionne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being intentional, planning carefully, and breaking down big goals into smaller attainable pieces. You can create the big picture, a mental picture in your head, but then you've got to break that down into smaller, attainable pieces, because if you try to go from A to Z, you're just setting yourself up for failure. You've got to see the big picture, A to Z, and then break it down, A to B, B to C, and connect the dots, which are very easily achievable. I'm very specific and deliberate about every step that I take. I also believe in being persistent and having a plan of action with a strategy to help that strategy succeed. Everything I say and do is intentional. I don't worry about the money because the money will come by default when you're working at such an exceptional level. At some point, you stop being the chaser and become the one that's being chased. I make sure I show up for every single flight and exceed and go way beyond what is expected. Anything and everything that you do, do it with heart and intent.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Anything and everything that you do, do it with heart and intent. Don't worry about the money. The money will come by default, because you're working at such an exceptional level. At some point, you stop being the chaser and become the one that's being chased. Sometimes when you're overlooked, it works in your favor, because you can work behind the scenes and elevate your game so that when you do present your body of work, everyone is just blown away. Not much is expected from you when you walk into the industry, and you're not always the first choice, but I've learned to make situations like these and turn them into an asset. You're able to sort of work behind the scenes without critique or much expectation, so when you do present your body of work, everyone is blown away because they're not expecting it. I make sure I show up for every single flight and exceed and go way beyond what is expected. Yes, it can be done. We are there representing very well.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is making people feel welcomed, warm, and happy. As Maya Angelou said, people will forget what you say, they will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel. That's what I'm trying to create for my guests. Everything I say and do is intentional. My intent is to make them feel welcomed, warm, happy. It's all about reading the room, figuring out what it is that they need before they need it, so that even before they know they want something, it's provided, they're happy, they feel appreciated, they feel valued, seen, and heard. I'm also all about female empowerment all day, every day. I take the time, regardless of how busy I am, to connect with other young ladies and provide support, encouragement, or empowerment. I do take moments to do that, particularly when young ladies reach out to me. I do take the time to connect with them and provide as much advice and support as I possibly can with the time that I have.
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