Austin Jackson set his sights on becoming a pilot when he was a kid. What he didn’t count on was becoming an author, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist along the way. But that’s what has been happening since Jackson published his first novel, “Takeoff: Seeing Beyond the Clouds,” when he was a junior in high school as a way to pay for flight school. Three years later, the 19-year-old Fairburn resident talks to church, student and other groups about how to soar. He and some friends recently started an online company that sells clothing and other inspirational items with a takeoff theme. Meanwhile, Jackson is working on his second book. Oh yeah. He’s also going to flight school. Jackson’s book is available on Amazon.
Q: What is it about flying a plane that appeals to you?
A: When I was six, my aunt and I were going to visit my other aunt. I was sitting on the plane and thought, "This is the coolest thing I have ever seen in the world." It was life-changing. From that point on, all I had were plane toys. Now I have actually flown a plane. There is something about being above problems. Maybe that is where my book came from — just being above everything.
Q: What’s the book’s premise?
A: It is about a pilot named Austin who grew up in a rough neighborhood in downtown Atlanta. He wants to do more and impact people in different ways so he starts a nonprofit. His decisions divide his family and he almost loses his wife and kids but he realizes what's important and really takes off.
Q: How much of the book reflects your own life?
A: I often think about how I can do more. Someone told me one day, "If you become a pilot, you are just going to fly planes. But if you really pursue this takeoff thing, you could change people's lives." That stuck with me.
Q: How are you changing people’s lives?
A: I used my book to raise $1,000 for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and a percentage of my book proceeds go to give books to homeless shelters around the country. I also want to start a scholarship fund to help other students go to flight school.
Q: How did you manage to get a book published?
A: Probably consistency. I was a high school student and needed this book to be done because I thought it was my meal ticket to becoming a pilot. Naturally, as people, we want to give up when things get hard. But sticking with it and getting the copy of your book in the mail is unbelievable.
Q: Did your book sales pay for flight school?
A: No, but I am working on it.
Q: What’s the second book about?
A: It is called "Takeoff: Rising Above" and picks up where the first left off. The character Austin deals with drugs and money and power. The book is about him rising above all that.
Q: How’s the writing going?
A: I'm not going to lie — I am having the writer's block issue. My dad read the prologue and he was like, meh. That just messed up my whole process.
Q: You take on complex issues beyond your age and experience. Were you just born an old soul?
A: I don't know. Some people say I can do it because I am an only child and we're kind of crazy.
Q: How did you become a motivational speaker?
A: It is looking at life a little differently. Right now, I am working at Office Depot, which gives me this experience of seeing people from all walks of life. I try to look at them from a step back to figure out why they act in a certain way. I think about how these behaviors are stopping them from taking off for their destiny.
Q: Did you expect to have this much success?
A: I did. I am a very big fan of Eric Thomas, the Hip Hop Preacher, as he is called. He says don't do something if you don't expect it to succeed at it. I am going with that.
For more on Austin Jackson’s company: www.takeoffsuperstore.com.
About the Author
