mj: women | transportation SAMANTHA ONNEN SHIPP & EMILY MYRVOLD SANTA BARBARA AIRBUS
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anta Barbara Airbus has been a cornerstone of local transportation since 1983, originally founded by Eric and Kelly Onnen and their friend and business partner Mark Klopstein. Today, the company’s legacy is in the capable hands of second-generation sisters, Samantha Onnen Shipp, CEO, and Emily Myrvold, CSO. Their journey back to the family business was not a given. “We never had a lot of pressure to be a part of the business… our parents encouraged us to figure out what we wanted to do; to figure out our passions,” Samantha reflects. But after experiences elsewhere, both felt the undeniable pull of their roots. “You kind of realize how special small business is, especially small businesses that are entwined with the community.” The sisters saw that “the impact we could make here was so much bigger than in other places.” From childhood memories of stuffing newsletters to watching their school buses arrive courtesy of Airbus, the sisters were immersed in the company’s culture long before officially stepping in. Since returning—Samantha in 2015 and Emily in 2020—they’ve honored the foundational principles while modernizing operations. “The basic formula of Airbus is great,” says Samantha, citing technological upgrades and system streamlining as key improvements. Emily credits Samantha with championing an inclusive and engaging work environment. “She really puts [employee well-being] at the forefront of everything,” says Emily. This emphasis on culture and care is reflected in employee loyalty, with many staff members remaining for decades and even returning after life changes. Safety and customer experience remain at the heart of their mission. “Everything comes back first to the safety side,” Samantha states. Their approach ensures that whether it’s a ride to LAX or a private charter for a local event, customers feel secure and supported. “Hopefully people think, ‘Oh, that was easy,’” she adds. As Santa Barbara Airbus celebrates over four decades of service, Samantha and Emily remain grounded in gratitude for the community and the legacy they continue to build. “We are extremely thankful for a really strong foundation,” Emily shares, “and just hope to continue to build on that.” WWW.SBAIRBUS.COM
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