We were lucky to catch up with Adrian O’Dell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Adrian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.
In the drone industry, particularly within the construction services space, innovation is driven by the need for efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Our journey in this space has been shaped by a relentless commitment to researching industry challenges and providing practical, effective solutions. By deeply understanding the problems faced by architects, general contractors, and other construction professionals, we’ve been able to apply drone technology in ways that were once unimaginable, ultimately improving both the speed and quality of construction projects.
One of the core innovations we’ve brought to the industry is the use of drones for real-time site mapping and monitoring. Traditionally, construction managers would rely on manual surveys and outdated mapping methods, which were time-consuming and prone to error. By utilizing drones equipped with advanced imaging technology, we’ve transformed this process into one that is faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective. This allows teams to make data-driven decisions on the fly, reducing delays and improving project outcomes.
We’ve also found success in working with architects and engineers to incorporate 3D modeling workflows into the design and planning phases of the construction life cycle. Drone technology helps creates these models quickly and efficiently often saving time and money. LiDAR payloads are able to be attached to a drone to create survey grade results that have proven invaluable to our clients.
Another key breakthrough has been in site inspections. Safety on construction sites is a top priority, but inspections often involve sending personnel into hazardous areas. Drones, however, provide an opportunity to inspect hard-to-reach locations without putting workers at risk. By capturing high-resolution imagery and thermal data, drones can detect structural issues, monitor material integrity, and even check for energy inefficiencies—delivering comprehensive reports in a fraction of the time it would take a manual inspection.
We’ve also focused on educating the market, helping businesses realize the full potential of drone technology. For many in the construction sector, drones might have seemed like a novelty at first. But through dedicated research and sharing insights on how drones can streamline workflow and reduce costs, we’ve helped businesses embrace these tools as essential assets. This education is crucial—it’s about demystifying the technology, showing how it can be integrated seamlessly into existing processes, and illustrating the tangible benefits it brings.
In short, innovation in the drone industry for construction isn’t just about the technology itself—it’s about the creative solutions we develop to meet industry needs. By constantly researching new challenges and educating the market on viable solutions, we’ve not only advanced our careers but have also played a part in reshaping the future of construction. Through these efforts, we’ve proven that drones are not just tools; they are powerful instruments of change that drive efficiency, safety, and success. As we are only scratching the surface, we look forward to seeing what more we can do in the future!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
At ARO Aerial, we are passionate about using cutting-edge drone technology to provide high-quality aerial photography and specialized drone services across various industries. Our journey began with a deep fascination for both technology and creativity. We recognized that drones were quickly becoming game-changers in multiple sectors, and we saw an opportunity to combine our technical expertise with our love for capturing stunning imagery.
We got our start by focusing on real estate photography, offering property owners and agents a fresh perspective with breathtaking aerial shots that help properties stand out in competitive markets. From there, our services evolved as we saw the vast potential drones had to offer. Today, ARO Aerial is a trusted partner for industries like construction, agriculture, and events, providing everything from 3D mapping and inspections to thermal imaging, LiDAR and virtual tours.
What sets us apart is our commitment to innovation and education. We don’t just fly drones—we use them as powerful tools to solve real-world problems. In construction, for instance, we provide detailed aerial inspections that reduce downtime and improve safety by allowing teams to monitor progress from above without stepping foot on potentially hazardous sites. In real estate, our breathtaking aerial photography and video services give properties a competitive edge that traditional photography can’t match.
What we are most proud of is our ability to continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible with drone technology. We’re dedicated to staying ahead of the curve, constantly learning, testing, and innovating to ensure that our clients always have access to the latest and best solutions. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional results with professionalism, reliability, and a personalized touch, making sure every project we work on is tailored to meet our clients’ specific needs.
For us, it’s not just about providing a service; it’s about making a real impact on our clients’ success. Whether it’s increasing sales for real estate agents, improving efficiency for construction teams, or capturing incredible footage for events, our goal is always to add value. If there’s one thing we want potential clients and followers to know, it’s that at ARO Aerial, we’re more than just drone pilots—we’re innovators, problem-solvers, and partners who are committed to taking your business to new heights.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A story that truly illustrates our resilience involves a pivotal moment early in our journey with ARO Aerial. We had been working hard to establish ourselves and demonstrate our skills in the commercial real estate and construction services industry, but we were still relatively new to the market. One day, we bid for a project with a large architecture and engineering firm—a project we knew could be a game-changer for us. However, despite our best efforts, we were not selected.
Rather than feeling discouraged, I viewed this as an opportunity to prove ourselves. I reached out to the company’s decision-makers and offered to complete a small part of the project for free—essentially a trial run. My goal was simple: to demonstrate that we could deliver high-quality results and that we were genuinely committed to meeting their needs, not just closing a sale. I wanted them to see our passion, attention to detail, and our ability to exceed expectations.
The company agreed to take a chance on us, and we delivered the work with excellence—on time, within the project scope, and going above and beyond in terms of the quality of the data and images we provided. This effort not only impressed them, but it also showed that we were capable and willing to invest in a long-term relationship. We weren’t just looking for a one-off project; we aimed to be a trusted partner in their business.
Over time, our initial free work led to many paid projects with that company. They saw the results firsthand and began to rely on us for larger and more complex assignments. Fast forward to today, and that same company has become our biggest client. What began as a setback turned into one of our most valuable relationships—a testament to the power of resilience, commitment, and the importance of investing in relationships, even when the immediate reward isn’t guaranteed. This experience reinforced our belief that building trust and delivering exceptional service is far more valuable than simply closing a deal.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A defining moment in the evolution of ARO Aerial occurred when we decided to pivot from offering entry-level drone services to positioning ourselves in the high-end, enterprise-level market. In the early stages of our journey, we primarily focused on providing affordable aerial photography and basic drone services aimed at real estate agents, small businesses, and other clients with modest needs. While this market was accessible and helped us build our reputation, we quickly realized it was becoming oversaturated. As more companies entered the field, competition intensified, and the value of our services began to diminish. It became clear that to stand out, we needed to differentiate ourselves and offer something more advanced.
The decision to pivot was not easy. We knew that to enter the high-end market, we would need to invest in costly survey-grade equipment, such as LiDAR sensors and specialized thermal imaging tools. While these tools are essential for precision work, they come with a significant initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs. For many businesses, this level of investment can pose a substantial barrier to entry. However, we recognized that this was the only way to elevate our services to meet the growing demands of enterprise clients who require the highest levels of accuracy, data reliability, and reporting.
By investing in LiDAR technology and becoming certified as a Level 1 sUAS Thermographer, we positioned ourselves to offer premium services like high-precision mapping, 3D modeling, and thermal inspections—solutions that many smaller companies cannot provide due to the costs and technical expertise required. These services are invaluable in industries such as construction, infrastructure, and energy, where accuracy and data integrity are critical for decision-making and compliance.
In addition to upgrading our technical capabilities, we made another strategic move: we became a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) registered with the state of Ohio and the city of Columbus. This certification reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion and opens unique opportunities for us to work with government contracts and large corporations specifically seeking to engage with minority-owned companies. This differentiation is significant in the local market, where many competitors are not certified, allowing us access to new avenues for growth and partnerships.
Ultimately, our transition into the high-end enterprise market, combined with our technical advancements and MBE certification, sets us apart from most service offerings in our area. We are no longer competing on price alone; we deliver unparalleled quality, precision, and expertise. Our ability to offer services like LiDAR and thermal imaging positions us as a leader in the drone services industry, while our minority-owned status allows us to tap into a unique and valuable client base that values excellence and diversity. This shift has not only expanded our service offerings but has also enabled us to build stronger, more lasting relationships with clients who appreciate innovation, trust, and reliability.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aroaerial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroaerial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aroaerial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aroaerial/
- Twitter: https://x.com/inc_aro
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aroaerial5176
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aro-aerial-columbus
