Meet Tanner Harris of Blue Nose Aerial Imaging in Stapleton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanner Harris.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tanner. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been a professional pilot for almost 20 years. I started my career as a Naval Aviator and currently fly for a major airline here in Denver – although the future of that career path looks uncertain due to COVID-19. The idea of starting my own business began back in 2015. At the time, I was stationed in Oklahoma City with the US Navy and the use of personal drones was becoming more prevalent and affordable. As you might imagine, the regular severe weather in “tornado alley” makes for a thriving roofing industry. My hunch was that after a storm, very few people wanted to actually climb on top of their roof, so what better way to inspect its condition than to use high-resolution imagery from a drone? This idea seemed like it had potential and could prove to be a valuable service for homeowners, construction companies, and insurance agencies alike.

Fast forward five years and I had made absolutely zero progress towards starting my own business. During that time, my wife and I had moved across the country twice with the Navy, had two kids, and we both were undergoing major career transitions. When my grandfather passed away in September, I had a chance to spend some time with my father, who encouraged me to revisit the drone business idea. So, that’s where I’m at today – trying to build a business while raising a family in the time of COVID!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After months of work setting up the business, buying equipment, and getting certified by the FAA, I decided to finally launch the website and announce our grand opening. The very next week, the shelter-in-place order for COVID-19 was declared. Awful timing. On the bright side, because my airline career has significantly slowed down since then, it has provided me with the opportunity to be at home with my kids and devote myself to developing my small business.

Blue Nose Aerial Imaging – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Blue Nose Aerial Imaging is an emerging, veteran-owned, drone services provider. Licensed by the FAA and fully insured, we provide high quality, affordable aerial imaging solutions that are custom tailored for each client. Our services include roof and solar panel inspections, real estate photography, special events, commercial marketing, Orthomosaic mapping and more.

Looking to the future, I’m most excited about our newest specialty service – precision agriculture. Technology in the drone industry has quickly advanced in recent years and many drones now incorporate sophisticated cameras and sensors onboard. Capable of picking up subtle differences in plant reflectance, this data is then rapidly analyzed to provide critical plant health information and field conditions to farmers in order to help maximize their yields and efficiently manage their operation.

As a start-up, we’re still trying to find our groove, but I think we’re on the right track. In fact, we’ve received so much interest that we’re in the process of franchising. My hope is that Blue Nose Aerial Imaging will create a low-cost opportunity for new entrepreneurs to overcome common barriers to entry, offering them a chance to chart their own course in the face of economic uncertainty.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When I attempt to define success, I’m always reminded of this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success.”

Those are words to live by. I try to let these values influence not only my relationships with others, but with the endeavors I place my time and energy into as well. I think we do right by the people around us if we approach life with a “servant leadership” mentality – a belief in something larger than yourself, by listening to others, empathizing, holding ourselves accountable, and by continually focusing on the development of other people and our communities. If we can accomplish these on a regular basis, things usually work out pretty well. And if they don’t, you’ll have likely fostered meaningful relationships along the way to rely on for support, understanding, and guidance for the next steps of your journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bluenoseaerial.com/
• Phone: (703) 615-7196
• Email: tanner@bluenoseaerial.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluenoseaerialimaging/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluenoseaerialimaging/
• Other: linkedin.com/company/blue-nose-aerial-imaging

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