Meet William Graves

We were lucky to catch up with William Graves recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi William , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I’ve learned the most by keeping my mouth shut and just listening. I think our gut instinct in most situations is to try and speak up and fit in but there is solice and peace in being the only one like you. You don’t have to fit in because thats the gift that made you, you! That is what is going to make you effective and successful. It’s like my grandfather always says to me “People do business with people they like, and people do business with people who are like them.”

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of Midwest Aircraft Detailers and AV8 Coatings, what we do sits at the intersection of aviation, craftsmanship, and innovation. We specialize in high-end aircraft detailing and paint protection coatings, working on everything from general aviation aircraft to corporate jets. It’s more than just making planes shine it’s about preserving performance, protecting value, and delivering a standard of care that goes far beyond what’s typical in this industry.

What’s most exciting to me is how we’re pushing boundaries in an industry that often resists change. With AV8, our proprietary reactive polymer coating, we’re offering aircraft owners and operators an alternative to overpriced, underperforming products. It’s been engineered to bond at a molecular level with aerospace paint systems, creating lasting protection without the fluff and false promises that saturate this market. We’re proud to say it’s been battle-tested on everything from King Airs to Gulfstreams.

Midwest Aircraft Detailers was built from the ground up with grit, integrity, and a relentless focus on quality. Over the last five years, we’ve grown from servicing a few aircraft to handling hundreds annually across the Midwest and we’re just getting started. We’re expanding into new markets, building partnerships with aircraft manufacturers and service centers, and investing in the next generation of aviation detailers through the Independent Aircraft Detailers Association, an orginzation that I spearheaded to elevate industry standards and kill the gatekeeping that is holding this industry back.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about our brand, it’s this: We don’t cut corners.

Whether it’s restoring neglected paint or innovating with new protective coatings, we bring hustle, honesty, and heart to every job. This company and our products were built for Aviatiors by Aviatiors.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three things that made the biggest difference in my journey weren’t things you learn in school they were earned. The first was grit, the second was being a student of the game, and the third was learning how to lead without losing myself.

Grit, isn’t just working long hours it’s being willing to outlast the storm. I’ve been broke. I’ve been burned. I’ve had people smile to my face and stab me in the back. But grit kept me moving. I didn’t wait for perfect conditions. I got up, showed up, and figured it out mid-stride. If you’re starting out, get used to being uncomfortable. Growth lives there. Comfort won’t get you anywhere worth going.

Be a Student of the Game, Every industry has its bullshit aviation is no exception. But if you pay attention long enough, patterns start to show. I learned to spot trends, call out the fakes, and position myself where others were sleeping. Whether it’s paint correction, coating chemistry, or customer psychology I studied it. Not to be the smartest guy in the room, but to make sure I could back up everything I said with real results. Learn everything then question all of it. Haters have always attacked me personally but the one thing they could never attack was the work we’ve done.

Leading Without Losing Yourself, When I started building a team, I thought leadership meant being the strongest. Turns out, it means being the most accountable. Your people will reflect your habits good or bad. If you’re sloppy, they’ll be worse. If you show up on time, push the standard, and take responsibility when things go sideways that earns respect. Don’t let your ego write checks your reputation can’t cash. Stay human. Stay hungry. Don’t fake it build it from the ground up.

My advice for anyone just starting, Stop looking for shortcuts. Stop chasing clout. Put your head down and get good, dangerously good. Show up early. Ask questions. Take pride in the details no one sees. And when things get hard and they will don’t fold. That pressure? It’s trying to make you into something better. Let It, The game doesn’t owe you a damn thing.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

It’s hard to pin success on just one person, because the truth is, I’ve learned just as much from the people who believed in me as I have from the ones who didn’t.

If I had to narrow it down, it’s been the mentors who told me the truth even when it was hard to hear. My Grandfather Bill Azzarello was one of those people. He didn’t coddle me or try to sell me a dream. He asked the tough questions, called me out when needed, and helped me understand the business without losing sight of the craftsmanship. That kind of mentorship shaped my standards and I carry that into every job we do. There are other mentors I’ve had during this journey way to many to list but I credit them and them seeing something in me that I didn’t see in myself for that success.

I’ve also been pushed by the doubters. The ones who said I wouldn’t make it past year one, that I got lucky, or that I didn’t earn it. That noise used to sting now it fuels me. I don’t waste time proving them wrong. I just build better. Serve harder. Stay consistent. Then there’s my team the people who bought into the vision when it was nothing more than a hustle and a name. Their loyalty, their feedback, even the growing pains that’s what helped me become a better leader. They’ve held me accountable when I needed it most.

At the end of the day, the biggest growth came from showing up when it was hard, learning from failure, and surrounding myself with people who weren’t afraid to challenge me. If you’re early in your journey, don’t just look for cheerleaders find the ones who sharpen you. They’re the difference between building something real and just playing the part.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Headshot: Chels Morgan

All Others Taken By Me: William Graves

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