Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Uzuanis.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started with my firstborn, Cael Ryan Uzuanis. Cael grew up with a severe learning disability—he was dyslexic and ranked in the bottom 4th percentile in his ability to learn through traditional methods. Despite that, he had an adventurous spirit and a fearless heart. He refused to let limitations define him. Though school was a constant struggle, Cael found his own way to learn and ultimately graduated high school by teaching himself in the way that worked for him. He proved to everyone that a learning disability doesn’t mean you lack intelligence—it simply means your mind processes the world differently.
Cael dreamed of becoming an astronaut, and he knew that to get there, he first needed to become a pilot. So we enrolled him in flight school. At just 19 years old, he was nearing completion of his private pilot’s license when tragedy struck. On New Year’s Eve of 2020, Cael passed away in an accident.
In his honor, I created the Watch Me Fly Foundation. Its mission is simple yet profound: to provide youth—especially those who face unique challenges—with a community of support, opportunities to explore their potential through alternative learning approaches, and the confidence to look their doubters in the eye and say, “Watch me fly.”
The seed for Sky Tour Adventures was planted soon after. I couldn’t bear the thought that Cael was so close to earning his wings but never had the chance to finish. So, I enrolled in flight school myself, determined to complete that journey for him. It was my way of staying connected to him—even though he was no longer here.
Flight training is incredibly expensive, and at the same time, I was working to get the foundation off the ground. To make it possible, I purchased an airplane with help from my family and leased it back to the flight school I was training with. The income from that lease covered the cost of my training. I never expected to fall so deeply in love with aviation, but I did—and I went on to earn my commercial pilot rating for complex multi-engine aircraft.
Then came a crossroads. I wanted to keep flying, but I also needed to find a sustainable way to support my family and continue funding the foundation. Out of that realization, Sky Tour Adventures was born—a business built on passion, purpose, and legacy.
We’re still a young company, but the potential is inspiring. Through hard work, creativity, and opportunities like this interview to share our story, I believe we’ll grow into a true force for good—one that celebrates adventure, inspires confidence, and helps every child discover that they, too, can fly.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road! Even though we’re just getting started, we’ve already faced some major challenges along the way.
To launch a commercial sightseeing operation, you need formal approval from the FAA. Normally that process takes about a month—but due to staffing shortages, ours dragged on for more than six months. Our entire business plan was built around beginning marketing efforts during that waiting period and generating revenue by a specific date, so those delays created a serious financial and logistical strain.
Then, just as we were navigating that uncertainty, our hangar at San Marcos Regional Airport was taken from us. The landlord exercised a 30-day termination clause to give it to one of his friends on the field. Legally, he was within his rights, but at the time, I was terrified that losing our hangar would derail our FAA approval. We searched every airport within 100 miles and couldn’t find a single available space. Thankfully, the FAA didn’t require us to have a hangar in place, and eventually—after months of waiting—our approval letter came through.
We had purchased an airplane perfectly suited for luxury sightseeing—six passenger seats plus a pilot, with a high-wing design for panoramic views. While waiting for our approval, we decided to upgrade the avionics to make it more modern and even safer for our guests. The shop quoted a two-to-three-month turnaround, but it ended up taking six months—and the final bill came in at nearly four times the original estimate. I’ve already paid several thousand dollars beyond the agreed amount, and we’re currently negotiating the remainder. I’m hopeful we can resolve it amicably, but it may end up requiring legal action.
By the time we were finally ready to operate, we’d entered the slower tourism season. Launching a brand-new aviation experience business in the fall and winter months adds another layer of challenge—but we’re pushing forward. Every obstacle so far has forced us to become more resilient, creative, and committed to our mission.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I was raised in a deeply creative, musical family. Both of my grandparents were professional musicians, and starting in fifth grade, I sang with the world-renowned Glen Ellyn Children’s Choir, traveling internationally to perform in some of the most breathtaking churches, cathedrals, and concert halls. I went on to study classical voice and percussion in college, but the rigidity of conservatory life didn’t quite fit my spirit. I eventually realized that my path wasn’t meant to follow a traditional track—it was meant to be built.
Entrepreneurship runs in my blood. My mother started her own company when I was young, and it became so successful that my father—who holds a master’s in business—eventually joined her. I grew up watching them take ideas from concept to thriving reality, and I held nearly every role in their company along the way. They encouraged me to explore my own ideas, and that freedom to create shaped everything I’ve done since.
At 19, I began studying martial arts, and two years later I joined Chang’s Hapkido Academy under Grandmaster Gedo Chang. Over 30 years later, I still train under him today. My first business was opening a branch of Chang’s Hapkido Academy, which I grew into a school of more than 80 students. That school evolved into a wellness center called Balance: Integrated Health & Wellness, where we offered yoga, chiropractic care, and traditional Chinese medicine—a true mind-body-spirit hub before holistic health became mainstream.
My next venture took me in an entirely different direction. I invented a toy called the Pieceless Puzzle, which I licensed to Mattel and Ceaco, one of the world’s largest puzzle manufacturers. Although my investors later brought in an expensive CEO that ultimately drained our resources, the experience taught me valuable lessons about leadership, innovation, and the realities of scaling a product. I had built an incredible engineering team, which I later brought into my family’s company to help design and manufacture products overseas. That led me to become the Head of Manufacturing, traveling to China several times a year to oversee production. Those years taught me how to manage large-scale operations and international partnerships—skills that serve me every day as a business owner.
After relocating from Chicago to Texas, I met my wife, a master stylist with over 30 years of experience. Together we launched Salon Mystique, a 10,000-square-foot luxury salon suite in South Austin that blends beauty, art, and community. The space includes a café, boutique, and fine art gallery—and it has become one of Austin’s most recognized full-service salons.
And that brings me to my newest venture: Sky Tour Adventures. Each step of my journey—music, martial arts, invention, manufacturing, and creative entrepreneurship—taught me how to blend passion, precision, and purpose. What sets me apart isn’t just what I do, but why I do it. I build experiences that bring people together, inspire them, and remind them that they’re capable of more than they imagined. Sky Tour Adventures is the culmination of that philosophy—it’s where adventure meets meaning, and where the sky truly is the limit.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
You have to be willing to put in the time, energy, and effort to truly get out there and meet people. In the early stages of building a business, you have to do everything. Attend every event, join every group—yes, even the ones that seem small, silly, or insignificant—because you never know when one unexpected conversation will connect you to the person who changes everything.
Networking isn’t about luck; it’s about consistency and presence. The more rooms you walk into, the more doors you open. Over time, those connections compound into opportunities you could never have planned for.
You can’t just wish or hope for success—you have to work for it. That means showing up, being curious, listening, and following through. Motivation doesn’t just appear out of nowhere; it’s built from momentum. Once you start seeing small wins from putting yourself out there, that drive only grows stronger.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Skytouradventures.com
- Instagram: Sky.tour.adventures
- Facebook: Sky Tour Adventures – Texas
- Youtube: @SkyTourAdventures
