The Paul Bowers Episode: A Sommelier’s Guide to Sniffing Out ‘Cool’

When you meet Paul Bowers, you quickly realize he’s the kind of person who writes his own playbook. As the publisher of the first project-based airport magazine in U.S. aviation, he’s built a career by asking one question over and over: What would I do differently?

In the latest episode of The B-Side with Sri, Connico President Sri Kumar talks with Paul, publisher and owner of Airport Improvement, about how he built a career by carving out his unique path in aviation publishing. From spotting untold stories to giving aviation consultants a bigger voice, Paul’s approach is as unconventional as it is effective.

Below are some highlights from the conversation. You can listen to the full episode below, and follow the podcast for more surprising and inspirational stories.

From layoffs to launching a magazine

Paul didn’t start Airport Improvement from a business plan or market research. He started it from experience and a little desperation.

“During the 2008 recession, I found myself with an unexpected opportunity after getting laid off,” he said. “I knew more about publishing than anyone else in my space, so I thought, why not do something different?” ” That 'something different’ wasn’t just about publishing; it was about connecting people and ideas in a space that hadn’t been fully explored. 

With decades of industry knowledge and a knack for spotting untold stories, he saw an opening. Rather than compete with designers or architects, Paul decided to give an overlooked audience – aviation consultants – a bigger voice in the industry’s narrative. He wanted consultants to have a seat at the storytelling table and show how airports were innovating, one project at a time. 

Doing things differently, deliberately

Paul credits his father’s entrepreneurial spirit and guidance from mentors, as well as Steve Jobs’ belief in building for needs people don’t yet see, for shaping his mindset.

“You don’t need market research if you know the players,” he said. “Sometimes you just know what’s missing and what the industry needs.”

He also emphasizes knowing the customer’s customer. “If you really understand the people you serve, you catch things others don’t,” he said, citing the inspiration he gets from paying attention to small signals – sometimes even a Google Alert can spark a story idea.

Finding the niche – and loving the first-timer stories

As a self-described “connector” who refuses to play it safe, Paul built his career by asking questions and finding his niche.

What sets Airport Improvement apart isn’t sensationalism; it’s a focus on the real, the novel, the “first-timers” who are trying something new.

“I think it’s the coolest job because I get a peek into the airport, to be a part of it, and love it,” Paul said. From innovations like autonomous lawnmowers in Texas to ice runways, he loves showcasing the people and projects shaping aviation in ways most of us never see.

Building a business on trust and execution

Starting a business during a recession is a high-risk endeavor. Paul says it required ego, humility, and the confidence to pivot when needed.

“You have to be confident enough to say, ‘I can do this differently,’ but humble enough to know when to change course,” he said. 

For Paul, differentiation isn’t always obvious. “Sometimes people can’t tell exactly what’s different; they just know it exists,” he said. And the ability for audiences to feel that difference – a thicker page, a unique layout, a story no one else thought to tell – has helped both him and his magazine grow over the years.

Why relationships matter more than the story itself

Above all, Paul values connection. The magazine stands out not because it chases the sensational, but because it digs into what’s real. His publication focuses on education and accuracy, often giving sources final approval before publishing.

“We get more than we deserve,” he said. “With access to ideas, people, and stories comes the responsibility to deliver on what we promise.”
Whether it’s finding inspiration in unexpected places, building a unique business model, or asking the simple but powerful question, “What would I do differently?” Paul Bowers shows that forging your own path can lead to a career that’s both rewarding and, well, pretty cool.