Meet Ethan. He\u2019s the owner of Skyview Strategies where modern drone technology is leveraged to solve traditional problems. On any given day, Ethan can be found using a customized commercial drone to pressure wash water towers, clean hotel roofs or exteriors, or even provide infrared surveying services. Using this technology, Ethan is able to access hard to reach areas, conduct large jobs with a much smaller footprint, reduce impacts on business operations, and provide a significantly safer experience for everyone involved.<\/p>\n
While Ethan didn\u2019t always know he wanted to work with drones for a career, he has had an increasing desire since college to be on the cutting edge of technology and shape the future. After getting a degree in Computer Science from Davidson, he began working for a successful drone technology start-up. The obsession with drones, and the future of their technology, grew exponentially from there.<\/p>\n
Ethan worked his way up from a drone tech to development and training. He learned what customers wanted and saw the opportunities opening wide for him. He desired to make as much impact as he could in the drone space, while also honoring his entrepreneurial spirit. So, in 2022 Ethan made the jump into entrepreneurship and Skyview Strategies was born.<\/p>\n
He knew a lot about drones and the technical side of things, but not nearly as much about being a business owner and all that it entails. That\u2019s where the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center entered his story, particularly Meg, the center\u2019s director.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeg has been like business therapy,\u201d Ethan said with a laugh. \u201cI have a tendency to bang my head on a wall, even if it\u2019s something that I can\u2019t speed up. She\u2019s helped me step back and reassess from another perspective, considering new ways to approach things.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Small Business Center not only offered Ethan support through Meg\u2019s individual business counseling, but also through connections with subject matter experts. For Ethan, this meant gaining valuable insights from an accounting and tax expert, as well as a human resources expert.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m good at operating a drone,\u201d said Ethan. \u201cI had no idea how to set up payroll.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what advice he would give to another early-stage entrepreneur, Ethan said, \u201cDon\u2019t be reluctant to ask for help. It\u2019s often the only way you can get things done. You can only white knuckle so much. Connections are so important.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why he continues to rely upon the resources of the Small Business Center. Ethan is actively pursuing more commercial clients and hopes to see that area of his business grow rapidly.<\/p>\n