Drone to 1K Podcast by Drone Launch Academy

We're excited to announce that Season 6 Episode 10 of the Drone to $1K Podcast is out!Our guest for this episode is Juan Quinones of LuxyDrone.https://www.instagram.com/juan.c.quinonez/ Juan Quinones, founder of FPV Creator Pro and Luxy Drone, shared his journey, highlighting his transition from videography to FPV drone flying.🚁 Highlights from this episode:Discovering FPV: Juan's fascination with FPV drones began when he witnessed an impressive aerial display at a yacht party. Persistence and Learning: Despite numerous setbacks, including struggling with the simulator for about 90 hours over a year, Juan navigated through challenges like understanding LiPo battery safety and repairing drones.Skills Development: Juan improved his skills in repairing drones and mastered FPV flying techniques which led him to landing gigs in luxury real estate.Business Expansion: Juan used his skills to expand his business ventures with FPV Creator Pro and LuxyDrone. He started offering courses and services in the FPV industry.And much more!

We're excited to announce that Season 6 Episode 9 of the Drone to $1K Podcast is out!Our guest for this episode is Guillermo Wenzel of Drone Sky Visuals.Guillermo, founder of Drone Sky Visuals, came back to the podcast to talk about how he's been doing since his last appearance on the podcast in 2019.🚁 Highlights from this episode:Juggling Jobs: At first, he was working both his drone business, Drone Sky Visuals, and a regular job at a construction company.Getting Drones into Business: He managed to convince the construction company to use drones by showing them how they could help with impressive aerial photos.Branching Out: Guillermo talked about how he started looking into different areas like Building Information Modeling and moved beyond just real estate because that market was getting crowded.Business Takeoff: His business took off in 2022 with exciting gigs, leading to a significant increase in revenue.And much more!

 Season 6 Episode 8 of the Drone to $1K Podcast is out!Our guest for this episode is Noah Ruiz of Soaring Eagle Technologies.Noah Ruiz, founder of Soaring Eagle Technologies, transitioned from capturing photos of houses to specializing in infrastructure inspection with drones.🚁 Highlights from this episode:Inspiration and Early Ventures: Noah started his drone journey after witnessing the profitability of the technology in various industries, initially focusing on capturing images and videos of residential properties and construction sites.Transition to Infrastructure Inspection: Recognizing the immense potential in infrastructure inspection, Noah shifted his business focus accordingly, investing in advanced equipment like the Falcon 8 drone to enhance capabilities.Success with APS Contract: Noah secured a lucrative contract with APS (Arizona Public Service), generating approximately $120,000 in revenue over four quarters, solidifying his company's presence in the industry.And much more!

Our guest for this episode is Zach Pieper of Quantum Land Design and Arrowview Services.Zach worked for Caterpillar in civil engineering and then ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing Quantum Land Design and Arrowview Services. These companies specialize in services for contractors and civil engineering, respectively.🚁 Highlights from this episode:Drone Integration in Construction: Zach's utilization of drones in construction and civil engineering, leveraging his diverse background in farming, mining, heavy construction, and earthmoving contracting.ArrowView's Drone Data Services: ArrowView Services specializes in providing drone data services for civil engineers and surveyors, offering 3D models and contour maps tailored to diverse client needs.Quantum Land Design's Contractor-Facing Services: Quantum Land Design focuses on contractor-facing services, including machine control models and drone data services tailored specifically for contractors in the field.

Our guest for this episode is Matt Harvey of Edge Drone Services. https://edgedroneservices.com/Here are the main highlights of this episode:Matt's journey into the drone industry began while he was still in college, sparked by a conversation at a construction company where he was employed.He and his friend formed a partnership and started their own drone services company. Initially, they focused on projects in construction, like replacing bridges and promoting real estate.Matt faced challenges and learned valuable lessons while working with a partner, eventually buying out his friend's share.He shifted to subcontracting work, especially in the utility sector. Matt found profitable opportunities during hurricane seasons and natural disasters like wildfires. His contract work involved inspecting assets such as distribution and transmission lines.He discussed the logistical challenges of traveling extensively for work, particularly between Florida and California.Matt emphasized the importance of adapting to industry changes and seizing opportunities.

Welcome back to the Drone to 1K podcast! In Season 6, Episode 5, host David Young catches up with Pedro Silva of Drones by Dro. Pedro shares his journey from part-time drone enthusiast to running a thriving drone business full time. Tune in for valuable insights on starting and growing a drone business, including Pedro's transition to full-time drone work and his success with search engine optimization that boosted his business.https://www.dronebydro.com/ 🚁 Highlights:Pedro's journey from part-time to full-time drone business.Deep dive into search engine optimization strategies.Exploring the different drone services that propelled Pedro's success.Overcoming challenges and personal loss while building the business.Tips for growing your client base and navigating the drone industry.👕 Special Offer:Love the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it, and send it to david@dronelaunchacademy.com to receive a free Drone Launch t-shirt!

Welcome back to Season Six, Episode Four of the Drone to 1K Podcast! 🚁 In this episode, David Young sits down with  Blake Skor of CT Aerial Photo, LLC. Blake, at just 18 years old, shares his inspiring journey into the world of drone photography and videography. One highlight of the conversation is how Blake fearlessly pursued opportunities, showcasing the power of strategic outreach and overcoming obstacles.🔍 Topics Covered:Blake's strategic outreach approach: From cold calling ski resorts to landing paid gigs.Overcoming the fear factor: How Blake tackled challenges and made things happen.The pivotal moment: Blake's first paid job at a ski mountain, turning a portfolio-building opportunity into a $100 success.Diving into the business side: Formation of CT Aerial Photo LLC and the transition from free work to a profitable side hustle.Utilizing online job platforms: Insights into platforms like droners.io and Sold by Air for expanding opportunities.Tips for success: Blake shares valuable advice for aspiring drone entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of persistence and networking.👕 Free Drone Launch T-Shirt Offer!Enjoying the podcast? Leave an honest review, screenshot it, and email support@dronelaunchacademy.com to receive a free Drone Launch t-shirt as a token of our appreciation.🎙️ Meet Blake Skor:Connect with Blake and learn more about his drone journey and CT Aerial Photo, LLC.🌐 Visit CT Aerial Photo's Website- https://www.ctaerialphoto.com/

Our guest for this week's episode is Jeff Hughes of Campfire Video Solutions.https://campfirevideos.com/ Jeff's journey started from a job where he made videos to promote a home inspection company.Then, during the pandemic, he tried out drones for real estate photos and videos and became a licensed drone pilot.Here's a quick look at what we talked about:From Making Ads to Flying Drones: Jeff started with making ads, and then he got into using drones for even cooler shots.Pandemic Project: Find out how Jeff got into drones during the pandemic, taking cool shots of houses.Free to Paid: Jeff shared his plan of doing free work to build up his portfolio, which eventually led to getting paid for doing cool projects.Smart Moves: Learn why doing free work can actually lead to getting paid for bigger projects, with a real example of scoring a big job for a home builder.Drone Decisions: Jeff talks about choosing between DJI and Autel drones, explaining what's good and not so good about each.

Join us as we chat with Cody Retlich of Midwest Aerial Productions (MAP) and DroneAdair.  In this episode of Drone To $1K, Cody shares his stories and experiences, giving us a peek into the exciting realm of aerial innovation.🔍 What to Expect:College Spark: Cody's interest in drones took off during a college project on drones and agriculture, sparking a passion that reshaped his career.Changing the Game: Explore how MAP shifted from local drone services to a successful brokerage model, growing fast and building strong client relationships.Notable Moments (2017-2020): Get into the exciting projects that defined MAP's journey, including collaborations with insurance clients, cell tower inspections, and a special project at the Ryder Cup.Behind the Scenes of Ryder Cup: Take an exclusive peek at MAP's role in the Ryder Cup, where Cody and the team delivered stunning aerial content, including thrilling FPV flyovers.Reflections and Lessons: Cody looks back on his drone journey, sharing insights and lessons learned, providing a unique perspective on MAP's success until 2020.🎙️ Tune in for an engaging conversation with Cody Retlich and discover the evolution of the drone industry and the innovative strategies that contributed to MAP's success. Follow now for more inspiring stories from various industries!

We're excited to announce that Season 6 of the Drone to $1K Podcast is officially here!Our first podcast guest of season 6 is Brian Koester of Southbay Drone Services.Brian's journey began with real estate photography, evolving into a broader range of drone services. Brian shares insights on:Transitioning from real estate to diverse drone services.The role of digital marketing and websites in his growth.Shifting focus to construction and mapping services.Using photogrammetry for projects and the value of ortho mosaic mapping.      And much more!

Welcome to the final episode of Drone to $1K, Season 5! In today's episode, we have a special guest, Thomas Wasinski from Ariel Agents. Thomas shares his fascinating journey from starting drones as a side hustle to turning it into a full-time career. He has worked with renowned companies like HBO, the NFL, and even the Cleveland Browns. Thomas's story is truly inspiring, as he went from an unrelated profession to becoming an Emmy award-winning drone pilot.In this episode, Thomas discusses how he got connected with Drone Launch through Eric Hellinger, a previous podcast guest. He shares his experiences working with the Cleveland Browns and HBO's Hard Knocks, where he had the opportunity to showcase his drone piloting skills and even won several Emmys. Thomas emphasizes the importance of providing value to clients by offering specialized services tailored to their specific industries.As the drone industry becomes more competitive, Thomas advises aspiring drone pilots to identify their target markets and find ways to stand out. He suggests focusing on delivering valuable content that meets the unique needs of each industry. Thomas also highlights the potential of subscription-based services, such as providing regular updates for construction projects, which can generate steady revenue streams.Join us for this engaging conversation as Thomas dives into the details of his journey and offers valuable insights for drone enthusiasts and professionals alike. Don't miss out on this final episode of Drone to one K, Season 5!Make sure to like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more inspiring stories and valuable drone-related content. And if you want to support us, leave a review and get a chance to win a free t-shirt! Stay tuned for Season 6 and exciting new episodes.Connect with Thomas-https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaswasinskihttps://www.aerialagents.com/

In this episode of Drone to 1K podcast, David interviews Robert Nix, a drone business owner of RE Drone SC. David and Robert discuss Robert's journey from a hobbyist drone pilot to a full-time drone business owner, offering tips and tricks for those starting from scratch.Robert is from South Carolina and took a drone launch course several years ago. He and David connected and have stayed in touch ever since. Robert has seen his drone business grow over time, starting from taking his Part 107 license to now doing it full-time.During the episode, David teases some hilarious moments, including an incident where Robert was mistaken for someone else while filming and got into a funny situation. Robert shares valuable tips, tricks, and stories for aspiring drone entrepreneurs who want to build a successful drone business from scratch.Tune in to this episode to hear Robert's inspiring journey in the drone industry, his experiences, and insights that can help you in your own entrepreneurial endeavors.Connect with Robert here:https://redronesc.com/https://www.instagram.com/redronesc/https://www.facebook.com/redronesc/https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-nix-61504a31/

This week’s guest is Curtis Kloc from Inspections Over Coffee. Inspections Over Coffee is an inspection company that uses drones to help inspect roofs. The company also sells franchises, and Curtis says that everyone that purchases a franchise also has to get licensed and learn how to use drones to inspect roofs. Curtis also works with real estate agents and agencies and educates them about inspection work, which builds credibility for his company and often leads to more business. Curtis gives lots of great advice about running a business during this episode, so be sure to give it a listen!   Connect with Curtis Website: https://www.homeinspectionsovercoffee.com/ Facebook: Inspections Over Coffee Instagram: @inspectionsovercoffee Twitter: @CoffeeInspect YouTube: Inspections Over Coffee   Have a Drone Business? Want to be Interviewed for the Drone to $1K Podcast? Complete this questionnaire: Drone to $1K Business Owner Application   Training from Drone Launch Academy Part 107 Exam Prep Course ($50 off) Aerial Photo Pro Course ($50 off) Aerial Video A to Z Course ($100 off) Aerial Roof Inspection Pro Course ($100 off) Drones 101 Course ($20 off)   Other Places to Listen iTunes Stitcher Spotify TuneI

Our guest this week is Pedro Silva from Drone by Dro. Since getting his Part 107 license, Pedro has worked on a variety of drone photography and videography jobs, including construction work, real estate listing photos and videos, and even a video for a hospital that recently did a huge renovation. (The video he created for the hospital actually won an award!) Pedro's been able to quit his job as a waiter and focus on building Drone by Dro full-time. An interesting thing about his business is that since he lives near Washington, DC, he has to request special authorization to fly in the restricted airspace that surrounds the US capitol. To hear more about Pedro's business and how he's been able to get authorization to fly in the restricted airspace around Washington, DC, be sure to listen to this week's podcast episode!   Connect with Pedro: Website: https://www.dronebydro.com/ Instagram: @dronebydro Twitter: @dronebydro   Have a Drone Business? Want to be Interviewed for the Drone to $1K Podcast? Complete this questionnaire: Drone to $1K Business Owner Application   Training from Drone Launch Academy Part 107 Exam Prep Course ($50 off) Aerial Photo Pro Course ($50 off) Aerial Video A to Z Course ($100 off) Aerial Roof Inspection Pro Course ($100 off) Drones 101 Course ($20 off)   Other Places to Listen iTunes Stitcher Spotify TuneI

This week's guest is Chris Francescani from Sunset Beach Films. Chris was a journalist and reporter for 25 years. Now, he uses drones to create marketing and promotional videos for local businesses in Eastern Long Island. Chris has been able to find new clients by joining chambers of commerce and networking with business owners who could use social media drone videos to promote their businesses. Be sure to listen to this week's Drone to $1K Podcast episode to hear more about Chris and his journey of starting a drone business! And be sure to play this week's two truths and a lie game for a chance to win a Drone Launch prize: https://dronelaunchacademy.typeform.com/to/DFYpPnDo   Connect with Chris: Website: https://sunsetbeachfilms.com/ Instagram: @sunsetbeachfilms Facebook: Sunset Beach Films   Have a Drone Business? Want to be Interviewed for the Drone to $1K Podcast? Complete this questionnaire: Drone to $1K Business Owner Application   Training from Drone Launch Academy Part 107 Exam Prep Course ($50 off) Aerial Photo Pro Course ($50 off) Aerial Video A to Z Course ($100 off) Aerial Roof Inspection Pro Course ($100 off) Drones 101 Course ($20 off)   Other Places to Listen iTunes Stitcher Spotify TuneI  

Our guest this week is Grant Puckrin from 19th UAS Precision. Grant's drone business started out doing real estate photography and videography. Now, Grant wants to expand into the agriculture industry. Growing up on a farm, Grant experienced firsthand the hard work and long hours that farmers put into their jobs. He wanted to find a way to use drones to help them save time and resources. Grant bought a multispectral drone AND a spraying drone and is waiting on his paperwork to be finalized before he can get started with his crop spraying services. To hear more about Grant's drone work, be sure to listen to this week's Drone to $1K Podcast episode! And don't forget to play this week's two truths and a lie game: https://dronelaunchacademy.typeform.com/to/ZYlImGKT   Connect with Grant: Website: https://19thdesigns.com/ Facebook: @19thuasprecision Instagram: @19thuasprecision YouTube: 19th Designs   Have a Drone Business? Want to be Interviewed for the Drone to $1K Podcast? Complete this questionnaire: Drone to $1K Business Owner Application   Training from Drone Launch Academy Part 107 Exam Prep Course ($50 off) Aerial Photo Pro Course ($50 off) Aerial Video A to Z Course ($100 off) Aerial Roof Inspection Pro Course ($100 off) Drones 101 Course ($20 off)   Other Places to Listen iTunes Stitcher Spotify TuneI

Our guest this week is Joe Morgan from Eyes Above Texas Imagery. Joe's been a Part 107-licensed drone pilot since 2017. Since then, he's gained tons of experience in the drone industry. He's skilled in photography & videography, mapping & photogrammetry, and inspection work. Over the past several years, Joe's built a reputation as a safe and professional drone service provider that always delivers quality work. To hear all about Joe's drone work and his advice for aspiring drone business owners, give this week's Drone to $1K Podcast episode a listen! And don’t forget to play our 2 truths and a lie game for a chance to win one of this week's prizes: https://dronelaunchacademy.typeform.com/to/D92UH9Un And if you want to join Drone Launch Connect for just $1 for your first month, just click here: www.dronelaunchconnect.com   Connect with Joe: Website: https://www.eyesabovetx.com/ Instagram: @eyesabovetx Facebook: @eyesabovetexasimagery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-morgan-340463154/   Have a Drone Business? Want to be Interviewed for the Drone to $1K Podcast? Complete this questionnaire: Drone to $1K Business Owner Application   Training from Drone Launch Academy Part 107 Exam Prep Course ($50 off) Aerial Photo Pro Course ($50 off) Aerial Video A to Z Course ($100 off) Aerial Roof Inspection Pro Course ($100 off) Drones 101 Course ($20 off)   Other Places to Listen iTunes Stitcher Spotify TuneIn

Eric Hellinger from Vivid Flight Media is our guest for this week's episode. Eric only started flying drones about a year and a half ago, and he's already running a successful drone business that specializes in providing FPV videos. If you're not familiar with FPV, it stands for first person view. Eric has created FPV videos for a variety of businesses and organizations, from schools to laboratories to wineries. To hear more about Eric and the cool FPV drone jobs he's worked on, give this week's episode a listen! And if you want a chance to win a Drone Launch prize, don’t forget to play our 2 truths and a lie game: https://dronelaunchacademy.typeform.com/to/fCVZxvX2 Plus, you can join our brand new online community, Drone Launch Connect, for just $1 for your first month: www.dronelaunchconnect.com If you want to check out any of the videos/resources Eric mentioned in this episode, here are links to some of them: The FPV bowling alley video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgS54fqKxf0 Joshua Bardwell's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JoshuaBardwell   Connect with Eric: Website: https://www.vividflightmedia.com/ Instagram: @hellinger_fpv Facebook: @VividFlightMedia YouTube: Hellinger FPV   Have a Drone Business? Want to be Interviewed for the Drone to $1K Podcast? Complete this questionnaire: Drone to $1K Business Owner Application   Training from Drone Launch Academy Part 107 Exam Prep Course ($50 off) Aerial Photo Pro Course ($50 off) Aerial Video A to Z Course ($100 off) Aerial Roof Inspection Pro Course ($100 off) Drones 101 Course ($20 off)   Other Places to Listen iTunes Stitcher Spotify TuneIn

Season 5 of the Drone to $1K Podcast is here! This week, Dusty Jolley joins us as our first podcast guest of season 5. Since getting his Part 107 license back in 2020, Dusty has been able to quit his job in insurance (which he was miserable at) so he can pursue 2 of his hobbies: flying drones and welding. Over the past couple of years, Dusty's been doing a variety of drone work, including cinematography, mapping, and even FPV. Aaaand, we're excited to announce that Dusty is now part of the Drone Launch team in an awesome new role. (We'll tell you more about it during this episode.) To learn more about Dusty, some of the cool drone jobs he's done, and his new role at Drone Launch Academy, listen to this week's episode! And if you want a chance to win a Drone Launch prize, don’t forget to play our 2 truths and a lie game: https://dronelaunchacademy.typeform.com/to/NByITabu   Connect with Dusty: Instagram: @_d_jolley   Have a Drone Business? Want to be Interviewed for the Drone to $1K Podcast? Complete this questionnaire: Drone to $1K Business Owner Application   Training from Drone Launch Academy Part 107 Exam Prep Course ($50 off) Aerial Photo Pro Course ($50 off) Aerial Video A to Z Course ($100 off) Aerial Roof Inspection Pro Course ($100 off) Drones 101 Course ($20 off)   Other Places to Listen iTunes Stitcher Spotify TuneIn