mpweimar

Final Week of Ent 655 and the Master of Entrepreneurship Program

It has been an incredible journey through the Master of Entrepreneurship program at Western Carolina University. I have worked with incredibly talented classmates and learned from faculty with an immense amount of entrepreneurial experience.

I can remember looking at the first syllabus for Ent 645 (Entrepreneurial Marketing) and thinking “what have I done to myself”? It was daunting to look at the rigorous amount of work that was required. I found that by refining my time management skills and asking for help when needed, I was able to forge my way through the class.

I have read some really great business books during the program. I think one of my favorite books might be the first required reading, Duct Tape Marketing (2011). It is a Jungle in There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights, and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring (2011). There was even an opportunity to meet with the author on a zoom call this year.

To say I feel inspired and optimistic is an understatement. The Master of Entrepreneurial program has given me knowledge and skills that I will use to reach new levels.

To all of my classmates that are also graduating with M.E. Degree this semester, I would like to say congratulations and best of luck in all of your future endeavors!

Jantsch, J (2011) Duct Tape Marketing, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN, ISBN 978-1-5955-5465-9

Schussler, S (2011) It’s a Jungle in There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring, Sterling Publishing, ISBN 978-1-4027-9277-9

Local Small Business

Our required reading for “Ent 655 Starting a New Venture” is an outstanding resource for the small business seeking funding to expand or continue to operate their business. The author (Cortese) runs through many ways a small business could leverage their community in order to operate successful cash flow.

The book discusses local crowdfunding, credit unions, as some unconventional methods such as the direct public offering. Social media had just come on the scene when this book was written. Leverage social media in order to get your message to the community is even more essential today.

Cortese closes out each chapter with a summary of pros and cons of the fundraising methods that were previously discussed. In addition, many of the summaries contain resources which are invaluable and I have begun to research if they could be applicable to my business.

The book discusses how local small businesses can use their community to leverage fund raising. However, I believe it is just as important to understand how you can leverage your business as a benefit to the community in your sales pitch to your clients.

Cortese, A (2011), Locavesting The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit from It, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-1-118-97273-1

Play Ball!

It is spring in North Carolina. Spending time outdoors in the warm weather is on the minds of many people. Whether your activity is hiking, campout, or outdoor sports most of us will be outside this spring and summer.

It also means Little League teams across the area will begin to compete. Parents, coaches, and athletes are ready for a great season. Everyone is ready to get back to normal considering the way 2020 went.

Every year, pictures of the team and your kid are offered by ground photographers. They do a great job of capturing moments and memories of this year’s team. If you are on the board of directors of your local league, wouldn’t it be great to offer parents a unique perspective of the game? Consider still aerial photographs or aerial videos of the games.

Our company can catch the big game from a bird’s eye view. Package prices are available. At this time, NC Aerial Imaging Services is a hypothetical business. However, we will be launching soon. Please sign up for our newsletter for updates!

A Day at the Beach

The other day I found myself unexpectedly in Atlantic Beach, NC. It was not so unexpected that I could not pick up my drone from my home on the way there, however. I thought since I was going to be at the beach anyway, I would try to get some aerial pictures of the pier and water.

Mother nature had other plans. When I arrived the wind speed was at least 20 miles per hour more than inland. It is not too unusual for the beach. The DJI Mavic Mini drone that I currently own will not handle that kind of wind speed. “A rule of thumb says that the wind may be up to two-thirds of the drone’s maximum speed (Mario).” The Mavic Mini drone has a maximum speed of 29 miles per hour putting it right at the edge of the recommended wind gusts for flight. There is nothing illegal about flying in high winds, but there are some safety considerations.

First consideration is that the drone should be facing away from the pilot when launching the drone. High winds could potentially blow the drone at the pilot. I had my propeller guards on, but it could still potentially cause injury.

When flying the Mavic Mini drone during strong winds, the DJI FLy app will give a message that warns of high winds and requests the drone land immediately. High winds cause the return to home (RTH) function to disable and the drone could be in the sky uncontrolled.

In addition to safety concerns, the drone could also be damaged. A slight shift in the winds could launch my drone into the ocean or be lost elsewhere. Having to locate my drone is not something I was not planning to do.

With all these considerations, I will have to try another day at the beach with my Mavic Mini drone. Maybe next time conditions will be more suitable for flying. It is best to operate safely and cautiously. There is no picture worth injury or damage.

Mario, https://tipsfordrones.com/can-a-drone-fly-in-strong-winds/, Retrieved on 4/28/2021

https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/Mavic_Mini/Mavic_Mini_User_Manual_v1.0_en.pdf, Retrieved on 4/28/2021

Connecting to Nature

In Chapter Ten of “Locavesting” the author discusses the farm to table trend. Farm to table sources locally grown and raised food from farmers. Not only is it fresher and healthier, but it supports your local economy. Amy Cortese states in her book, “ A study by the University of Georgia concluded that if each of the states 3.7 million households spend $10 per week on produce grown in Georgia, more than $1.9 Billion would be pumped into the state’s economy (2011).” There is no question that the idea of eating locally grown produce and meat has its health benefits and has a positive impact on your community’s economy.

It made me think of another trend we are seeing in the homebuilding industry known as agrihoods. Agrihoods are homes surrounded by community farmland and nature. Many people that are now able to work remotely are moving to rural areas and connecting with nature. Having your own small farm or large community garden allows you to have easy access to fresh produce all of the time. In addition, it encourages community in the neighborhood. Agrihoods are popping up all over the nation.

Selling a home in an Agrihood justifies the need for aerial photography and videography even more than ever. There is no way that a realtor could convey the beauty of the property from the ground. In addition, homeowners may need extra help surveying their large property and ensuring their plants are healthy and growing strong.

I am looking forward to seeing this trend continue. People connecting with people and nature is a wonderful thing.

Cortese, A (2011) Locavesting The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit From It, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN 978-1-118-97273-1

https://agrihoodliving.com/faqs/, Retrieved on 4/25/2021

The Impact of a Small Business

Small business is vital to a local economy. Sixty-eight out of one hundred dollars stays in the local economy when spent at a small business as opposed to forty-three out of one hundred dollars when spent at a corporation (Fundera.com) . Many people in the media and politics talk about the importance of small business, but at times it seems as though small business owners are low on the list of priorities. More important than keeping your dollar local, small businesses are your neighbors, friends, and family members. It is important to support them. According to SBA.gov, small business employees 58.9 million people or roughly 47% of the private workforce in 2018. This is a significant number. Its significance shows small businesses’ impact on the national economy.

NC Aerial Imaging Service is a locally owned small business. It is owned and operated by myself. I wish to start and grow my business in Greenville and Eastern North Carolina. NC Aerial Imaging Services can help the real need of businesses in the area to market and sell their product through aerial pictures and videos. It is my dream to be able to help contribute to our economy by adding jobs to our local economy.

Please consider your local businesses when you decide where to spend your money!

https://www.fundera.com/blog/local-business-statistics, Retrieved on 4/22/2021

https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/advocacy/2018-Small-Business-Profiles-US.pdf, Retrieved on 4/22/2021

Cortese, A (2011), Locavesting The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit From It, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-1-118-97273-1

Exam Prep

I am very excited to be finally beginning the preparation to take the certification knowledge exam to fly drones commercially. It is an exam that every drone pilot should take regardless of the use of the drone. The exam covers many concepts. In this blog post, I will give an overview of the first section of the exam which includes many of the F.A.A. regulations. It is important to understand your basic flight concepts and acronyms as the exam will be full of them. The rules and regulations section of the exam covers safety concerns, such as who can fly the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) and how high. In addition, it covers basic rules such as how to register your drone with F.A.A.

In addition to rules, the next section I am working on is airspace. Understanding use of airspace is extremely important for the drone pilot. Because it is shared with manned aircraft, the F.A.A. requires drone pilots to understand the various airspace classes that manned aircraft use on a regular basis. This is for the safety of everyone.

The test is considered to be rigorous and technical, however understanding the material covered will take a drone pilot to the next level. Even hobbyists should know this important information. To use your drone as a function of business, it is a federal requirement.

Darnell, D (2015-2020), Drone FAA 107 License Study Guide:Everything you need to know to pass your 107 Test the First Time, The Drone Boss, ISBN 1727096533

Audio Learn Content Team, Narrated by Harris, L, FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Audio Learn by AudioLearn Content Team, Audible

Federal Aviation Administration Announces Major Changes to Drone Regulations

At the end of 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration made several changes to the regulations that affect Part 107. Usually hearing about new government regulations would make one think of restrictions to an industry. However, many of these changes are beneficial to the drone industry. It makes perfect sense. In order for the industry to advance into drones performing everyday tasks, these changes are necessary.

Drone pilots operating under Part 107 will now be able to fly at night without a waiver. Proper equipment is necessary. “The small unmanned aircraft must have lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least three (3) statute miles that has a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision (FAA.gov).”

The new rule allows drone pilots to fly over people as well. It is not intended the drone will not fly over congregations of people over a long period of time. It is only meant to fly over people incidentally as it travels.

Pilots can now fly over vehicles. Vehicle owners must be notified if the drone will fly overhead for an extended period of time. This notice is not necessary if the overhead flight is just incidentally during the normal flight path.

In addition, it seems as though the Part 107 certification will not require a test past to be passed every two years. After the initial certification, the F.A.A. website mentions that “online recurrent training” will be required. The website is not clear about what that means exactly, but it makes sense that constant training and updates on new regulations will make pilots better than to require a test to be passed every other year.

Amazon has been testing the use of drones to deliver packages (CNN). Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 is required for Amazon to make deliveries which is different from the Part 107 changes that will affect most drone pilots. Changes in the regulation are necessary for drones to become more mainstream in society. As technology advances drones will have even more uses in society. It is exciting to learn about the new changes to come and how it might positively impact the industry.

https://dronerush.com/part-107-license-flight-over-people-night-flight-faa-rules-22220/, Retrieved on 2/27/2021

https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people/, Retrieved on 2/27/2021

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/31/tech/amazon-drone-faa-approval/index.html, Retrieved on 2/27/2021

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