2Lyons Aerospace LLC

Our business, 2Lyons Aerospace, is a unique supplier of hard-to-find, often obsolete, aircraft and military components. We provide anything from small screws to airplane engines to commercial airlines and the US Military. Founded by my husband, Mike Cantave, and me, our journey began as a small side hustle from our kitchen and garage 10 years ago. As two young Haitian/Dominican immigrants, our entry into this niche market was serendipitous, with my husbands background as a commercial airline pilot and our combined multilingual skills in French and Spanish. What sets 2Lyons Aerospace apart is not just our extensive product range but our commitment to underserved markets. We have focused on emerging economies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, leveraging our linguistic abilities and cultural understanding to penetrate markets other aviation businesses avoid. This approach has allowed us to carve out a unique space in the aviation spare parts marketplace. Additionally, the name 2Lyons holds special significance for us. Both my husband and I were born in August and are Leos according to our astrological charts. Leos are known for their leadership, grit, and determination, but also their stubborness. We had tried to work together before but navigating our opposite and pig-headed personalities proved very difficult in our past endevours. But for some reason this time was different. We were committed. So much so that, initially, we wanted to name our business 2Lions Aerospace to symbolize our shared commitment and determination, but since the name was already taken we opted for 2Lyons. Coincidentally, we had moved into a neighborhood where the main street was called Lyons Blvd, and this is where we met our mentor who helped us start the business. This all added to the sense that despite our reticences this venture was meant to be. Our story is one of perseverance and adaptability. Initially, we faced significant challenges, including skepticism about our ventures success, very little access to capital, and the difficulties of balancing a new business with raising three young boys. However, our determination paid off in 2019 when our business generated $1.2 million in revenue with just 2.5 employees. But just as we were starting to celebrate, the COVID-19 pandemic posed another major hurdle and brought our business to a screeching halt! It was at that moment that we pivoted to selling spare parts to the US Military, navigating the complexities of government contracts to ensure continued growth. By diversifying our business model to include both high-volume government sales and high-margin commercial sales, we have achieved sustainable growth and near profitability. Our company is now a 51% Woman-Owned Business, minority certified, and located in a HUBZone, which has opened up additional opportunities for growth. Our success is rooted in our resilience, strategic market focus, and the dynamic partnership between my optimistic, big-dreaming husband and my detail-oriented, realistic approach. Together, we have built a business that not only thrives but also inspires others with its story of determination, innovation, and relentless pursuit of dreams.