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 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/

4 Mar 40min

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/

25 Feb 29min

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/

11 Feb 31min

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

4 Feb 34min

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

28 Jan 49min

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Nugent, founder of Wing Walker Aerial Photography in Seattle, who shares his journey from reluctant police drone operator to successful drone business owner. Matt reveals how he built a thriving side business generating $5,000+ monthly while maintaining his full-time career in law enforcement.Learn how Matt:Transitioned from basic police drone work to specialized photogrammetryAdapted his business after losing a major clientDeveloped unique nighttime drone mapping techniquesBuilt recurring revenue through civil engineering and development clientsRecently landed his biggest month ever at $20,000Whether you're just starting your drone business or looking to scale existing operations, Matt offers practical insights on finding your niche, building client relationships, and delivering professional results.Connect with Matt:https://www.wingwalkerphotos.com/Instagram: @wingwalkerphotosEmail: matt@wingwalkerphotos.comFREE TRAINING: How to Start a Drone Business in 2025 — Even If You Have NO Experience:https://training.dronelaunchacademy.com/free-drone-business-training-2025/  _____Use the code PODCAST300 to get the Drone to $1k Course with a $300 discount! https://dronelaunchacademy.com/drone-to-1k-2023/ _____

21 Jan 43min

We're excited to announce that Season 7 Episode 1 of the Drone to $1K Podcast is out!Our guest for this episode is Chris Knipp of Sky Media 423. Highlights from this episode:Unexpected Beginning: Chris's drone journey started with a Mavic Mini purchase in late 2019 for his church's kids ministry during COVID, creating engaging online content by incorporating aerial footage into their productions. His background in film industry work and storytelling through children's ministry laid the groundwork for his visual style.First Commercial Success: Without even planning to start a business, Chris landed his first paid drone job filming an 880-acre property for developers, earning his first $1,000. This unexpected success opened his eyes to the commercial potential of drone services.Business Evolution: Sky Media 423 has grown into a diverse media company, offering real estate photography and videography, event coverage, family portraits, and branding videos.Be sure to check out the full episode to learn more about Chris's journey!Get the Drone 101 course for just $1 with a coupon code SEASON7 here- https://courses.dronelaunchacademy.com/p/drones-101?coupon_code=SEASON7&product_id=1893165

14 Jan 35min

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!

12 Mar 202449min