24 February 2025

By Dante Ramirez

Growing up, I never had a clear vision of what I wanted to do with my life. After high school, while many of my friends were packing their bags for college, I found myself standing still—uncertain and directionless. College never felt like the right path for me, not because I was afraid of hard work, but because I simply didn’t know what I wanted to work toward. So, instead of rushing into something I wasn’t sure about, I decided to take the time to figure it out.

That journey of self-discovery wasn’t easy. It was filled with trial and error, highs and lows, moments of excitement, and plenty of frustration. But through it all, I discovered something invaluable: my passion for drones.

My first venture into the working world was with video editing. It started as a hobby—cutting together small clips, learning the ins and outs of different software, and spending countless hours on YouTube teaching myself the craft. Eventually, I managed to pick up a few small gigs for people. It felt rewarding to get paid for something I had taught myself, but the work was inconsistent, and I struggled to find clients. Each time I thought I was gaining momentum, it would slow down again. The feast-or-famine nature of freelancing was tough, and it left me feeling like I was constantly playing catch-up. Over time, I began putting together some videos that I was truly proud of, and I started to recognize the value of my growing skill set.

Looking for more stability, I pivoted into copywriting. I figured it was a skill I could learn and apply to businesses. I dove into research, read books, and practiced writing sales pages and ad copy. But after a few months, I realized something crucial: I didn’t enjoy it. The work felt dry, and I wasn’t excited about it. That was my first lesson in understanding that making money alone isn’t enough—I needed to actually enjoy the work I was doing.

Still determined to find my path, I transitioned into social media management. This felt like it had more potential for creativity. I took on a few gigs, managing accounts, creating content, and even using some of my video editing skills to enhance brands’ online presence. For a while, it seemed promising. The money was decent, and I liked certain aspects of it. But once again, I hit a familiar wall—the struggle to find clients. And over time, the excitement faded. It started to feel more like a chore than a career I could see myself building. However, I gained something important from that experience. Combining my video editing skills with my understanding of social media, I learned how to create well-edited, captivating videos that grabbed attention and performed well online. I realized that knowing how to produce quality content was only part of the equation—understanding what resonates with audiences and how to package it for maximum impact was just as crucial.

Feeling a bit lost, I decided to try something completely different: door-to-door sales. I got a job selling solar panels. It was tough work—knocking on doors in the heat, facing rejection over and over again. I quickly realized that sales wasn’t my calling. While I respect the hustle and the resilience it builds, I knew deep down it wasn’t for me.

I was beginning to feel like I was running out of options—like I was destined to drift from job to job, always searching but never finding. Then, everything changed. I stumbled across the drone industry.

I can’t remember exactly how I first discovered it—whether it was a YouTube video, an article, or a social media post—but I remember the feeling. It was different. When I looked at video editing, copywriting, or sales, my thought process had always been, “I can do that.” But with drones, it was, “I want to do that.” That subtle shift was everything.

The idea of flying drones for work—capturing stunning aerial footage, helping companies document progress, or assisting with inspections—lit something inside me. It combined creativity with technology, and it felt like something I could genuinely be passionate about. For the first time in a long while, I felt excited about my future.

As I started researching the drone industry, I quickly realized it was far bigger and more advanced than I had imagined. Drones weren’t just cool toys; they were transforming industries. Construction, real estate, agriculture, insurance—the demand for skilled drone pilots was growing rapidly. But it wasn’t just about flying for fun; it required certification and knowledge.

That’s when I learned about the FAA Part 107 certification. I knew that if I was serious about making this my career, this was the first step. I buckled down, studied for about a month, and recently, I passed the test. It was a proud moment. It felt like I had finally taken a real, concrete step toward building something lasting.

Of course, passing the test was only the beginning. Now, I was facing a new challenge: figuring out where to start. The drone industry has so many different paths—real estate, construction progress monitoring, roof inspections, insurance documentation, mapping, and more. It was overwhelming at times, trying to decide which direction to go in.

I spent hours watching YouTube videos, reading online forums, and reaching out to other pilots to get a sense of the industry. I learned about the importance of building a portfolio and how offering free work to local businesses could be a great way to get my foot in the door. I started practicing with my drone, capturing footage of my own neighborhood, friends' properties, and anything I could think of to sharpen my skills and build confidence.

I also began networking within the drone community. I joined online groups, participated in forums, and started conversations with experienced pilots. I quickly realized that the drone community is filled with helpful, supportive individuals who are eager to see newcomers succeed. That sense of community gave me an added boost of motivation and made me feel like I was joining something much bigger than myself.

But I knew one thing: I was all in. This wasn’t another experiment. This wasn’t me dabbling to see if I liked it. This was my future.

While searching for ways to get started, I came across The Droning Company. I saw it as an opportunity—a platform to connect with others in the industry, showcase my skills, and hopefully, land those first few jobs that could kickstart my career. So, I signed up. And now, here I am—writing this pilot story.

I don’t have decades of experience. I don’t have a long list of clients or a massive portfolio. What I do have is hunger. I’m a self-starter, a self-teacher, and I’ve proven to myself that I can learn and adapt to anything. I’m hardworking, honest, and reliable. Above all, I am driven by the desire to build a future for myself—one where I wake up every day excited to work, proud of what I do, and confident that I’m creating a life I can be proud of.

I know the road ahead won’t be easy. I know there will be setbacks and challenges. But I also know that this time, it’s different. I finally found something I want to do. And that makes all the difference.

So, if you’re a company looking for someone who will give it their all, who will show up ready to work, eager to learn, and committed to delivering high-quality results—I’m your guy. Let’s build something great together.

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