The sky’s the limit for Chad Carpenter’s new aerial surveying company.
Based in Cabot, the business can serve customers in a range of fields, including engineering, forestry, agriculture, construction, and land titling.
With a specialized drone, Carpenter said he can accomplish in hours what would normally take days or weeks, while providing more data and precision.
“I’ve been in the land survey business for over 15 years, and as this technology emerged onto the scene, my current company did not want to embrace it. I saw the potential of how much work could be accomplished just with the drone platform, so I decided to strike out on my own,” he said.
When Carpenter began pursuing his idea, he learned about the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.
“In my search for help on starting my business, ASBTDC was mentioned to me twice, first by a gentleman at Arvest Bank and then again by the Cabot Chamber,” he said.
1 Year to Launch
He started working with the ASBTDC at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in June 2023. Over the next year, the center equipped him to launch his new business.
“Everything ASBTDC has done for me has been amazing. I literally walked in off the street knowing very little about starting a business and left armed with all the tools and knowledge to make it all the way to the finish line,” he said.
ASBTDC Business Consultant Nicolas Mayerhoeffer became Carpenter’s wingman of sorts, providing support for the first-time business owner.
Through one-on-one consulting, Mayerhoeffer coached Carpenter through the financing process and helped him put together a robust business plan and financial forecast.
As a result, Carpenter obtained startup financing from Arkansas Federal Credit Union, along with the Small Business Boost program through FHLB Dallas.
“Nicolas personally helped me to understand the ins and outs of what banks would need and want from me. He guided me every step of the way, including what steps came first.
“I firmly believe without Nicolas’ help and guidance, I may have given up along the way. He always had an answer to all my questions, and provided me with a wealth of information. His personality and approach to his work makes him very easy to talk to, and I always left our meetings motivated and well informed,” said Carpenter.
Military Experience a Big Asset
While new to business ownership, Carpenter has years of relevant experience. In addition to his land surveying work, he spent 10 years in the Army, where he was an air traffic controller and avionics technician.
As a veteran, Carpenter is proud his company is the first in Arkansas with a drone that can operate on military installations. He sees government contracting as an immediate opportunity to grow his business.
“The significance of being allowed in military air space is the ability to take government jobs on Little Rock Air Force Base, Camp Robinson, Fort Chaffee, and the Pine Bluff Arsenal, all of which go through constant construction projects to update their facilities,” he said.
Carpenter had some fun with naming the business Aerial Surveying Service, LLC.
“My business name is a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. I believe when people realize the acronym and see the logo, they might get a chuckle but will also remember the name,” he said.
To learn more, contact Carpenter at chad@ourdronepilot.com or 501-454-4338 or visit the Aerial Surveying Facebook page.
