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Aerial Pioneers: A Fallbrook company on the rise

Jerry Bedoya

What started as a hobby has evolved into a successful business for young Fallbrook resident, Alex Santorineos. Raised in Chicago, Alex and his brothers. Tim and Paul, became interested in drone technology as a means of recreation while still in high school. Four years later the three brothers founded the industry recognized Aerial Pioneers, an innovative technology company based in Fallbrook and Chicago.

By utilizing drone technology and infusing their creative and artistic eye, Aerial Pioneers adds value to businesses by providing high resolution aerial photography and videography at an affordable price.

Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles operated by a ground-based controller and used in a variety of commercial and military applications. Shortly after acquiring their first drone the brothers recognized its versatility and upgraded to a more sophisticated one. This newer drone enabled them to better integrate their passion for photography and cinematography, which in time propelled them into their new venture.

Alex and his brothers began photographing and producing short films utilizing the aerial capabilities of their new drone. Soon their Instagram amassed more than 60,000 followers as people took note of their stunning aerial photography. A local TV station in Chicago picked up the story to highlight their artistic efforts and budding entrepreneurial desires. At the time Alex was 19, Tim was 16 and Paul was 13.

While still in high school, the Santorineos brothers decided to commercialize their interest in drones and aerial photography. With their father, a successful businessman in his own right, mentoring them, they set out to become pioneers of this new medium by delving into drone technology while pairing it with their love of photography and videography.

Although Alex is a FAA licensed and experienced drone pilot, businessman and entrepreneur, he unequivocally states that, "First and foremost, I'm an artist." The combination of the two unquestionably bodes well for potential clients.

Early on the FAA was unsure how to regulate this new technology, but soon thereafter required all drone pilots who operated commercially to be licensed. The FAA also requires commercially operated drones to maintain a minimum 1 million-dollar insurance policy; Aerial Pioneers carries a 10 million-dollar insurance policy.

Aerial Pioneers maintains a clientele consisting primarily of residential and commercial real estate brokers. They also provide aerial monitoring and progress reports for various construction, insurance and other infrastructure sites. Alex's service area spans from the Mexican border to Santa Barbara, and eastward to the Nevada state line.

Once client contact is made, Aerial Pioneers conducts mapping, evaluates airspace and, when needed, applies for FAA waivers should said airspace be regulated. If site locations are remote, Alex will request additional photos and conduct further research and mapping. He is usually on-site and shooting within five to seven days of initial contact, and from there it takes just 24 hours for the clients to receive their end product.

According to Alex, "Customer service is key to our success and as such Aerial Pioneers attempts to reflect that in every client contact." Alex is in constant communication with his brothers in an effort to deliver uniformity of service and to ensure their company's core principles are not only met, but surpassed. According to Alex, "Exceeding our client's expectations is what we strive for."

Because of a streamlined business model, Aerial Pioneers provides top-tier quality at great value. Not only are they reasonably priced, licensed and fully insured, they also provide clients with the added benefit of their artistic flare. Alex said that when shooting a project, "It's as if I'm painting on a canvas rather than just taking pictures."

Aerial Pioneers is an industry recognized company. This past April, and in collaboration with another production company, they won the Best Short Narrative at a local film festival (DigiFest) in Temecula. They also won the Telly Awards, Best Aerial Cinematography, and another for their aerial footage of the "Super-bloom" in Lake Elsinore.

The bulk of Aerial Pioneers work is assisting brokers in marketing their residential and commercial listings through aerial photography and videography. According to the Multiple Listing Service, 68% of homeowners utilizing aerial imagery sell their properties faster than those employing standard images/photos. Moreover, Soldbuyers.com claims that 83% of homeowners prefer realtors who utilize drone technology.

According to Alex, "The more people comprehend the data provided by these agencies the more they're likely to utilize drone technology in marketing their home or business."

Alex Santorineos is a savvy, young businessman who speaks as openly about entrepreneurship as he does his own company. He claimed that creating a business when you're young is advantageous as it allows one to take risks they otherwise wouldn't take had they had a family to support. Alex believes young entrepreneurs have little to lose and everything to gain, and that early failures are not failures in the traditional sense as they provide invaluable business lessons.

Alex believes young entrepreneurs must learn not to associate tough times with the feeling of pain or they'll eventually give up. He goes on to say that young entrepreneurs must recondition themselves to experience pleasure during hard times by visualizing the end goal and embracing every experience and teachable moment.

"If you allow yourself to associate feelings of pain with hard work and failure then you'll get nothing accomplished and easily succumb to the hard times." ... Alex Santorineos

 

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