NetJets

A company that provides fractional ownership of private jets, allowing customers to purchase shares in a jet rather than owning one outright.

Why It Works

NetJets capitalizes on the luxury market by offering convenience and flexibility to affluent customers who require private travel.

Revenue & Traction

Not mentioned in the transcript.

Founding Story

The founder of Red Apple transitioned from grocery to aviation by starting with a single plane for chartering customers, which grew into NetJets.

Business Playbook

The initial focus on providing charter services created a foundation for a larger private aviation business model.

Why this works now

Affluent travelers who require frequent private jet access benefit from NetJets’ fractional ownership model, which leverages the FAA’s regulations allowing shared ownership in aircraft. The founder initially generated revenue by marketing private jet charters through targeted ads in luxury lifestyle publications like Robb Report. A significant risk for NetJets lies in the high capital costs associated with maintaining and acquiring a fleet of aircraft, which can strain cash flow and limit operational flexibility.

Additional Information

NetJets became one of Berkshire Hathaway's valuable assets.

Source

Podcast: My First Million

Episode: 4 dumb ideas that made people rich

Creation Date: January 23, 2026

12 more ideas and case studies from this episode

This was one of the case studies discussed on 4 dumb ideas that made people rich. See every idea and case study pulled from this episode in one place.

See all 13 from this episode →

Ideas worth reading next

More case studies

More case studies from My First Million

See all My First Million coverage →