S6/EP 2 Cody Retlich of Midwest Aerial Productions and DroneAdair

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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!