EDL 013: How to Start a Drone Business and Go Full-Time: Keson Drayton’s Success Story

05/13/25 • -1 min

Want to start a drone business in 2025 and get paid to fly? This episode reveals how Keson Drayton turned a career layoff into a profitable freelance drone business—using hustle, mindset, and the “Costco effect” to win clients. From picking up a Phantom 4 to building D Flight Productions into a recognizable name across Denver, Keson shares how he went from zero bookings to full-time drone pilot, without outside funding, gear obsession, or shortcuts. Whether you're learning real estate drone photography, looking to land your first FAA Part 107 gig, or just tired of waiting for the “perfect time,” this is the roadmap you’ve been waiting for. In this episode, Keson explains: How he started a full-time drone pilot business from scartch Why real estate drone photography is still the best entry market How to find drone jobs using Zillow, outreach, and local leads What the Costco Effect means—and how it grows your business Why learning to edit your own footage is a superpower How to handle slow months and stay in the game The mindset required to build a brand and keep moving forward ? Want to Make Money Flying Drones? DroneU gives you the blueprint to start and grow a real drone business: ?? FAA Part 107 prep ?? 40+ courses on flight skills, real estate, mapping, and business ?? Pricing guides, client acquisition, and weekly coaching ?? Supportive community of top-tier drone pros ? Start here ? https://www.thedroneu.com ? Know someone ready to take the leap? Share this episode with them—they need to hear Keson’s story. Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Keson Drayton: engineer turned drone entrepreneur 07:00 – First drone (Phantom 4) + FAA airspace mistake ? early learning moment 16:00 – Laid off from corporate ? launched full-time drone career 25:00 – Launching D Flight Productions + getting FAA Part 107 certified 35:00 – How to get real estate drone clients using Zillow and direct outreach 43:00 – The “Costco Effect” for building brand awareness 50:00 – Mental health, motivation & staying focused as a solo drone pilot 55:00 – Daily growth habits: client follow-up, skill sharpening, FAA compliance 01:01:00 – Where to connect with Keson + booking drone jobs in Colorado ?Resources & Links Connect with Keson: ? Instagram – @dflightproductions ? TikTok – @DPKey (Drone Pilot Key) ? LinkedIn – Keson Drayton ? Book Drone Services – 720-477-0513 Stuck between a safe job and chasing your drone dream? ? Download our FREE Drone Pilot Starter Kit Includes: FAA checklist, pricing template, and plug-and-play proposal to help you land your first client with confidence. ??https://learn.thedroneu.com/bundles/drone-pilot-starter-kit ? Keep Watching ? More drone pilot success stories: Jason Flakes on storytelling and government gigs ? [insert link] Stay Connected ? Hit Like if you learned something new ? Subscribe and turn on notifications ? Share this with a pilot or creative stuck at a crossroads

Previous Episode

ADU 1383: Drones as first responders and regulations on DSP operations

What should DSP know from a first responder regulations perspective. Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's Experience Training in June. Our first three Experience Training events sold out in less than a week; and it's time to take flight again! Our all-inclusive 5-day training paired with a 2-day competition will challenge you, inspire you, and prepare you. In this unique training event, limited to no more than 10 participants, you will be immersed in an experienced-based learning environment. You'll take flight daily and often, and you'll master cutting-edge drone techniques along the way. You'll learn from experienced pilots who've been where you're trying to go; and you'll build repeatable systems to scale your business. Click HERE to book your seat today !! On today's episode we discuss about drone operations as first responders and how DSP operations can be impacted by FAA regulations. Our question for today is from James, who would like to learn more about managing drone flights from a regulations perspective and the details therein. On today's show we discuss what the FAA regulations have to say about drones operating in a first responders role and how pilots can be better equipped to handle such scenarios while staying compliant to FAA requirements. We also delve into aspects of drone flights such as data management and drone applications like deliveries and surveying along with discussing the multiple opportunities available for pilots and going over how drone pilots can be prepared to achieve success in the drone industry. Tune in today !! 5-Day Free Course: Thriving Drone Real Estate Business Transform your drone operations into a thriving real estate-focused business. Learn client management, pricing for profit, and creating high-value deliverables. Grow My Drone Business Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Click here for access to Skywatch for all your drone insurance purposes ! Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneuADU 1382: Build my own drone to do photogrammetry work? Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps: [02:11] Today's question on drones as first responders and how it impacts other DSP operations [4:13] - FAA changes on regulations and waivers to allow advanced drone operations [10:05] - data management of drone flights [16:20] - how are drone deliveries evolving today [21:30] - drone surveying and opportunities in the surveying industry [34:23] - How to excel in the drone delivery space

Next Episode

ADU 1384: What do changing tariffs mean for pilots and How should pilots navigate tariffs

Have new tariffs been signed and what are the implications for pilots. Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's Experience Training in June. Our first three Experience Training events sold out in less than a week; and it's time to take flight again! Our all-inclusive 5-day training paired with a 2-day competition will challenge you, inspire you, and prepare you. In this unique training event, limited to no more than 10 participants, you will be immersed in an experienced-based learning environment. You'll take flight daily and often, and you'll master cutting-edge drone techniques along the way. You'll learn from experienced pilots who've been where you're trying to go; and you'll build repeatable systems to scale your business. Click HERE to book your seat today !! On today's episode we discuss about the impacts of the changing tariff environment for drone pilots and what it means for regulations and options that pilots have to navigate tariffs. We discuss about the details of regulations surrounding tariffs and if it impacts existing drones and specifics of the soon to be signed tariffs. We look into the timing to procure drones with the ups and downs of tariff conversations with nations esp China and if future deals will impact pricing of drones. We also discuss some upcoming DJI drones and if it makes sense to purchase new drones vs purchasing an used drone. Tune in today on this short information packed episode !! 5-Day Free Course: Thriving Drone Real Estate Business Transform your drone operations into a thriving real estate-focused business. Learn client management, pricing for profit, and creating high-value deliverables. Grow My Drone Business Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Click here for access to Skywatch for all your drone insurance purposes ! Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneuADU 1382: Build my own drone to do photogrammetry work? Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps: [00:55] What should you do now considering the changes in tariffs [04:08] Drones already owned by pilots - Do tariffs impact them [06:34] Today's question on tariffs and impacts to flying drones [07:43] Section 1709 and why it matters to pilots [16:33] Why it is not a good time to purchase drones [23:01] Is the Mavic 4 Pro a good purchase? And how does it compare with Inspire [27:05] A summary of our response to today's question