FAQ's

About Aileron

  • What is Aileron, and what do you do?

    Aileron helps private business owners understand where they want to go and apply sound business practices to help them get there. Clients learn from successful business owners and from a community of peers who exchange ideas and help each other. Through professional management, business owners find direction, control and time to work “on” their business and achieve their desired results. Aileron is an operating foundation that focuses on the development of privately held business as a way to raise the quality of life for many.

  • What is Professional Management?

    Professional Management is a disciplined approach for directing an organization toward predictable results. Learn More.

  • Why is Aileron so focused on helping private business implement professional management?

    Once an organization gets past the start up phase, they are suddenly faced with a new set of challenges and issues. This transition typically occurs when a business reaches about one million in sales and employs more than five employees. After an organization reaches this threshold, it needs a system to provide structure and direction to position it for stability and growth. Implementing professional management simplifies business into an operational formula that is practical to implement and control and is necessary for long term success.

  • How does Aileron make money?

    Aileron is an operating foundation that focuses on the development of privately held business as a way to raise the quality of life for many. Aileron’s co-investment model helps to create a community of business owners who share a commitment and energy throughout the process of implementing professional management. Aileron strives for the outcomes of the business to be significantly worth the investment made by the business owner. Aileron is funded through the generosity of Clay and Mary Mathile and philanthropic business owners.

  • How many clients does Aileron have?

    Over the past 12 years, Aileron has worked with more than 1,500 businesses.

  • Is Aileron solely focused on working with Dayton business owners? If not, what is your growth strategy?

    Aileron is focused on helping private business owners in order to fuel free enterprise regardless of their geographic location. However, as planned, Aileron is easily accessible to business owners in the Dayton region, and if they engage themselves in all Aileron has to offer, they will grow in their knowledge; their businesses will grow; they will employ more people; and the community, region and state will benefit substantially.

  • What are your business hours?

    Aileron's campus is open from 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday.

  • Which holidays will the Aileron campus be closed?

    The Aileron campus will be closed New Years Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday after, Christmas week and New Year’s Eve.

  • Why was the Aileron campus built in Bethel Township? Why not in Dayton?

    Clay Mathile, the founder of Aileron, wanted the Aileron campus to feel like a retreat—a country setting that gets business owners away from their daily routines and into a place that allows them to reflect and focus on their business.

    With the campus being located conveniently close to I-70 and I-75, it is easily accessible to business people from all parts of the greater Dayton business community. Naturally the Dayton Region will benefit the most based on the location of the campus.

    • About Our Services

  • What kind of services does Aileron offer?

    All of Aileron’s services focus on providing private business owners with the resources, tools and knowledge to implement a professional management system into their organization. Aileron offers workshops, programs, business advisors, opportunities to meet peers and an inspiring environment in which to work. Our services have been designed to help business leaders focus on the role they need to perform within their organization and work on the critical areas of their business.

  • Are Aileron services duplicative of other entrepreneurial programs?

    The services at Aileron are not the same as area business schools or other local entrepreneurial programs. Our objective was to create services that were not competitive with what was already offered locally and that would meet the unique needs of private business owners whose organizations were past the start up phase of business.

    Aileron thrives when working with private businesses that are past the start up phase. Once they reach five or more employees and/or about one million in sales, the business begins to transition into the growth phase of business. At this time, they begin to face new challenges and issues. This is when professional management becomes necessary to ensure long-term sustainability and success.

  • What makes your workshops different?

    Several things. We collaborate with business owners to simplify how they run their business into an operational formula that is practical to implement and control and is necessary for long-term success. Workshop sizes are restricted and are interactive so your specific issues and challenges are given the proper attention. And once you've attended our flagship course, the Course for Presidents, you can return anytime you like for half the current fee for the course. We are sincerely interested in your progress in implementing professional management in your organization. Therefore, we also offer one-on-one business advisor services to help you apply what you learn.

  • What if I cannot attend a program or workshop that I have registered for?

    Cancellation Policy — Aileron requires 10 business days notice to cancel and receive a full refund. If the cancellation notice is received 10 business days prior to the event date, then the client will receive a full refund. If the cancellation occurs within the 10 business days of the event date and time, the participation fee will not be refunded.

  • I am not familiar with your services, and I’m not sure how to get started. What is the first step?

    Many business owners get started by attending Aileron’s flagship course, The Course for Presidents. You can also review our service descriptions and select the topic or format that interests you based on your current circumstances and or position. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to talk to someone regarding your business needs and where to start. Please call our main line at 937-669-6500.

  • How does Aileron help non-profit organizations, government agencies or schools?

    Aileron exists to help owners of private enterprise implement professional management. However, even though the services were designed with the private business owner in mind, many leaders of organizations can and have benefited from participating in many of the offerings.

    We welcome leaders of these organizations to:

  • I am the president of a Public Company. Why can’t I attend the Course for Presidents?

    The reason we request you attend the Course for Senior Executives, is that owners of private enterprise deal with very unique issues that come with having their personal capital at risk. The Course for Presidents spends more time exploring these issues, and having all the participants understand and living that reality helps that course. The Course for Senior Executives is really for leaders who do not have their personal capital at risk, but fill a very important role within their business.

  • How does Aileron find its facilitators?

    Aileron has found facilitators in several ways. We have a process for seeking facilitators with a specific expertise to work with us on the development and/or delivery of a specific topic. We also have a process for working with individuals who approach Aileron and offer their services to further the Aileron mission. For more information, visit the Get Involved section of our website.

  • I would love to contribute to Aileron. How do I get involved?

    Thank you for your interest in contributing to Aileron’s mission. For more information, visit the Get Involved section of our website.

  • I would like Aileron to come to my office and facilitate a program for my senior management. Would Aileron consider a request like this?

    Yes, we would like the opportunity to speak to you about your needs and discuss if Aileron coming to your site would make the most sense for your organization. Please contact Kelly McCracken at 937-669-6500, and we will work together with you to find an appropriate solution.

    • About using the campus and renting space

  • How do I join Aileron?

    Working with Aileron doesn’t require a membership. Aileron offers services that are designed to help private business owners implement professional management, and most of our services are considered “open registration.” Aileron works to describe who will benefit from each service to help participants evaluate and register for the services that meet their individual needs.

    Private business owners who employ five or more employees and are past the start-up phase are invited to select from two passes that have been designed to describe the benefits and costs associated with the use of the campus for business purposes.

    The Adventurer Pass is created for private business owners who want to enjoy daily access to the campus and the ability to rent space for business purposes.

    The Journey Pass is designed for private business owners who want daily access to the campus and enjoy these additional benefits:

    • Discounted rates on room rental
    • Advanced booking privileges for all rentable space
    • The ability for your executive leadership team to also have access to the campus and rent space

    Click Here to help you compare the benefits and costs

    Imagine using spaces such as a President’s Office, the Information Commons or a booth in the café to get away from your day-to-day routine and focus on the future of your organization. Can you envision using the Planning Room or a workshop room for a planning or strategy meeting with your leadership team? Or picture your next board meeting being held in the Les Banwart Board Room at Aileron with full A/V support. In providing these services, we hope to support you as you implement a professional management system into your business.

  • I see that to be able to rent space a company has to employ more than five employees and have about $1 million in sales. I am a smaller business and doubt that I will reach $1 million in sales or five employees, but I am an owner. Why do you exclude the small business owner?

    You face different issues than that of a more established businesses operating at a higher volumes. Your issues are just as important, but Aileron concentrates its resources on businesses in the growth and maturity phases of their life cycles. If you feel you would like to use the campus per the Adventure Pass or the Journey Pass, please contact us at 937-669-6500 for an application. Exceptions will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

  • My company's president has yet to attend an Aileron course and says he doesn't believe in this kind of training. I am the senior vice president, and I do believe in the training, so why can't I sign up to rent space at the campus?

    Aileron has found that unless the owner, CEO, president or executive director is actively participating in the services, the chance for successful implementation and integration of new principles and practices is limited. You are, however, welcome to utilize Aileron services that will benefit you.

  • If I sign up to use the campus, can I use it for my company's holiday party?

    The Aileron campus has been built to help the owner, CEO, president or executive director concentrate on their business. While Aileron recognizes the importance of social activities, that is not within the mission of Aileron to support those activities. You are welcome to schedule activities like all-company meetings, board meetings, budget planning sessions or similar activities and events directly related to your business.

    Click here to view the Campus Usage Guidelines

  • Can I host a sales conference at the Aileron campus?

    The Aileron campus is not to be used for revenue-producing events. You can, for example, host an internal sales training at the campus, but you may not host a sales event for external customers.

    Click here to view the Campus Usage Guidelines

  • Can I bring a client or potential client to the campus?

    The Aileron campus is designed to help you think, learn and focus on implementing professional management into your business, which requires you to get away from the day-to-day operations of your business and focus on the long term plan. In support of our mission, we ask that you do not bring your clients or day-to-day work to the campus, as that is contradictory to our mission.

    Click here to view the Campus Usage Guidelines

  • What if I have a room reserved and catering scheduled but need to cancel at the last minute?

    Please contact a service manager at Aileron as soon as possible.

    Cancellation Policy for Room and Catering Reservations: Aileron requires two business days prior notice to cancel and receive a refund on room reservations. If a reservation includes catering, three business days are required. If the cancellation notice is received within the allotted time, the client will receive a full refund. If not, the reservation will not be refunded. If recurring cancellations (three in one year) become a problem, Aileron has the right to limit client rights to make reservations.

    We will always work with the client to fairly reconcile and minimize everyone’s losses in the event of a cancellation. If recurring cancellations (three in one year) become a problem, Aileron has the right to limit a client’s ability to reserve space.

  • Why do I have to wear a security badge when at the campus?

    Because of the people we host at the campus each day, we feel it appropriate to take additional safety precautions. Therefore, most days, the exterior doors will be locked, and your badge will provide you access in and out of the building. In the event of an emergency, our security staff would be able to quickly tell how many people are still in the building.

  • If I am on the Adventurer or Journey pass, why can’t I host my church’s planning meeting at the campus?

    Even though a planning session is business related, the use of the campus must be for the benefit of the primary organization associated with the individual hosting the meeting. You may reserve space for your business but not other entities you may have associations with such as churches, trade organizations or networking groups.