Drone to 1K Podcast by Drone Launch Academy

S7/EP 7 Jeremy Proctor of Central Texas Aerials

In this episode of the Drone to 1K Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Proctor, owner of Central Texas Aerials. Jeremy shares his remarkable journey of turning a therapeutic hobby into a thriving drone business that generated nearly $70K in revenue during his first full year.After being laid off from his corporate tech job in July 2023, Jeremy transformed his drone side hustle into his primary source of income. Based in New Braunfels, Texas, he strategically positions himself to serve both the San Antonio and Austin markets, capturing lucrative construction progression documentation contracts.Jeremy reveals how he:Used Bark.com as his primary lead generation tool, investing $4-5K to secure approximately $70K in businessBuilt relationships with construction companies, universities, and solar farmsSecured recurring contracts worth $10-12K each from clients like Texas A&M University and SeaWorldCreated impressive time-lapse progression videos that won him new clientsPlans to scale his business nationwide by hiring pilots in other citiesWhether you're just starting your drone business or looking to take it to the next level, Jeremy's practical advice and inspiring success story demonstrate how determination and strategic positioning can lead to significant growth, even in challenging circumstances.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this video to help other drone entrepreneurs on their journey!https://www.centexaerials.com/ 

S7/EP 6 Michael Lilley of Wet Dog Drone Serivces

Join us for a conversation with Michael Lilley, founder of Wet Dog Drones, as he shares his journey from drone enthusiast to successful construction site documentation specialist. Michael reveals how he built a thriving drone business while working a full-time job in the construction industry.In this episode, Michael discusses:His unconventional 1AM workday schedule and how he manages his drone business on weekendsHow he convinced his employer to become his biggest client after initially facing resistanceThe specifics of construction progression monitoring and how drones save clients thousands of dollarsHis approach to building recurring revenue with strategic flight schedulesPractical advice for drone pilots looking to break into the construction industryWhether you're interested in the construction world, progression update photography, or building a drone business with sustainable income, Michael's story demonstrates the power of persistence and industry expertise.Get the Progression Shots workshop for just $1 here- https://courses.dronelaunchacademy.com/p/how-to-take-project-progression-shots?coupon_code=WETDOG&product_id=5946200 Connect with Michael: https://wetdogdrones.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/wet-dog-drone-services/https://www.linkedin.com/in/wetdogdrones/ 

S7/EP 5 Cody Retlich of Midwest Aerial Productions

In this episode of the Drone to 1K Podcast, host David Young talks with Cody Retlich about:Acquiring a drone service business (MKE Drones) for minimal upfront costGrowing revenue by 30% through strategic business acquisitionTips for new drone entrepreneurs on client acquisitionBuilding a successful drone service business from scratchKey Insights:Negotiated a 2-year payment plan with the previous business ownerFocused on expanding existing client base and service offeringsImportance of knowing your niche and building relationshipsLearn more about Cody's drone business journey and strategies in the Drone to 1K course! https://dronelaunchacademy.com/drone-to-1k-2023/ Connect with Cody:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-retlich/https://www.droneadair.com/https://www.midwestaerialproduction.com/

S7/EP 4 Jon Jeffress of Deep South Focus

In this episode, we dive into Jon Jeffress's incredible journey from weekend car show photographer to a successful real estate media production entrepreneur. Learn how he transformed his business, navigated the challenges of growth, and built a half-million-dollar company in Mobile, Alabama.📸 What You'll Learn:How Jon pivoted from automotive to real estate photographyThe power of networking and strategic partnershipsInnovative approaches to service delivery in the photography businessScaling a business from $35K to $540K in just a few yearsInsights into drone photography and real estate media productionConnect with Jon:https://www.deepsouthfocus.com/https://www.instagram.com/deepsouthfocus_re/https://www.instagram.com/deepsouthfocus/Get the workshop for just $1 here- https://courses.dronelaunchacademy.com/p/landing_real_estate_clients_through_instagram?coupon_code=PODCAST&product_id=4832523 

S7/EP 3 Brandon Beal of Elevation Aerial Application

Our guest for this episode is Brandon Beal of Elevation Aerial Application. 🚁 Highlights from this episode:Getting Started: Brandon came from a traditional aviation background working with helicopters before transitioning to drones in 2017. He moved to Virginia during COVID to pursue his dream of agricultural drone operations.The Business: Starting with a $50,000 loan, Brandon and his business partner launched Elevation Aerial Application, focusing on spraying and fertilizing Christmas tree farms, corn fields, and pastures using DJI Agras T40 drones.Growth & Impact: In their first year, they generated $50,000 in revenue. By their second year, they've expanded to three drones and reached $170-180,000 in revenue. Their services help farmers reduce chemical usage by 30% and decrease reliance on manual labor, particularly in Christmas tree operations.Innovation: They're now developing a client portal where farmers can track their fields, request services, and manage application records - showing how they continue to evolve and improve their agricultural drone services.Get the Introduction to Drones in Agriculture workshop for just $1 here- https://sso.teachable.com/secure/58782/checkout/4832513/intro-to-drones-in-agriculture?coupon_code=PODCAST