In June of this year, I had a revelation: I didn’t have a business—I had a job. If I wasn’t out in the truck, the business wasn’t making money. This realization hit me after joining the Millionaire Business Network (MBN), which I now call my “business class.” MBN taught me to work on my business instead of for it. During the Launch Party, Abe Shreve took time to personally explain how MBN could transform my business. That conversation became the catalyst for a flood of thoughts about my future, my goals, and my family.

Through MBN, I met Mike Davis, a MAPPS coach who helps MBN members identify where they are, where they need to be, and how to achieve success. Mike has profoundly impacted both my business and my life. He taught me that my success in nuisance wildlife removal could expand if I approached each project not just as an operator but also as a content creator. This insight sparked the beginning of my new journey with video production and drone work. Mike also shared strategies for framing shots effectively and setting parameters for inspections. Truly, Mike Davis is a game-changer!

I’m currently in learning phase one. While I’m not new to flying drones, capturing footage for purposes beyond inspections is entirely new to me. Previously, I recorded videos to zoom in on areas of concern, find entry points, and identify issues quickly for the homeowner. These videos were recorded in Sport mode—jerky, overexposed, and lacking any artistic or technical value.

Recently, I had the opportunity to purchase a second-hand DJI Mavic 3 Pro at an excellent price. A good friend of mine, a talented videographer and Emmy winner, used this very drone for capturing footage for movies, commercials, and real estate projects. Acquiring the Mavic 3 Pro has opened a world of possibilities for both me and Final Trace Wildlife Solutions.

With this drone, I began to see how I could supplement my income and add greater value to my wildlife business through drone photography and videography. However, this journey has exposed how little I knew about cameras—ISO, shutter speed, aperture settings, smooth drone movements, or postproduction. I didn’t realize that what I saw on the drone’s remote screen wasn’t the final footage. After my first outing, when I reviewed the dull, grayish-brown footage, my immediate thought was, “What is this crap?” I had no idea how to transform this footage into something professional and captivating. This opened up what felt like a bottomless pit of questions and self-doubt—or so I thought.

Follow along on my journey to becoming a highly recommended, Part 107 Certified drone videographer! In this new series, I’ll discuss the development of 30-, 60-, and 90-day plans for this venture, explain how to set up your drone camera in simple terms, and share techniques for capturing footage from different angles. I’ll also cover how to land your first paying client and how drones can add value to an existing business. I look forward to sharing lessons learned and helping you reach the next level of success!