Drone to 1K Podcast by Drone Launch Academy

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 business * Built relationships with construction companies, universities, and solar farms * Secured recurring contracts worth $10-12K each from clients like Texas A&M University and SeaWorld * Created impressive time-lapse progression videos that won him new clients * Plans to scale his business nationwide by hiring pilots in other cities Whether 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/

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 weekends * How he convinced his employer to become his biggest client after initially facing resistance * The specifics of construction progression monitoring and how drones save clients thousands of dollars * His approach to building recurring revenue with strategic flight schedules * Practical advice for drone pilots looking to break into the construction industry Whether 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 [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/

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 cost * Growing revenue by 30% through strategic business acquisition * Tips for new drone entrepreneurs on client acquisition * Building a successful drone service business from scratch Key Insights: * Negotiated a 2-year payment plan with the previous business owner * Focused on expanding existing client base and service offerings * Importance of knowing your niche and building relationships Learn 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/

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 photography * The power of networking and strategic partnerships * Innovative approaches to service delivery in the photography business * Scaling a business from $35K to $540K in just a few years * Insights into drone photography and real estate media production Connect 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 [https://courses.dronelaunchacademy.com/p/landing_real_estate_clients_through_instagram?coupon_code=PODCAST&product_id=4832523]

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 [https://sso.teachable.com/secure/58782/checkout/4832513/intro-to-drones-in-agriculture?coupon_code=PODCAST]