We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ariana Lugo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ariana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea of working with drones came to me in 2019 after reading an article about the future of technology in drones. At the time, I was just beginning my teaching career, instructing middle school students in business courses. I knew I likely wouldn’t be able to teach a drone-related course at the middle school level, so I began exploring opportunities to teach at the high school level instead.
The idea stuck with me, and when I eventually had the chance to teach at a high school, I pitched the course to the principal and the district’s CTE director. Both approved it, and in 2022, my vision came to life. Since then, I’ve been expanding my knowledge of the drone industry, and about two years ago, I took a leap and began teaching kids about drones through my own business.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, I’m Ariana Lugo, founder of a drone education initiative designed to spark curiosity, build technical skills, and empower young minds through hands-on STEM experiences. My journey into the drone industry began with a single spark which was an article I read in 2019 about the future of technology. At the time, I was teaching middle school business courses, and while I knew drones wouldn’t fit into that curriculum, the idea never left me. I saw drones not just as flying gadgets, but as gateways to engineering, coding, mapping, and real-world problem solving. When I transitioned to teaching high school, I pitched a drone course to my principal and the district’s CTE director. They said yes and in 2022, my vision took flight. Since then, I’ve expanded my knowledge in drone technology, earning certifications such as the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, and NFPA 2400. I have recently launched my own business to bring drone education directly to students.

Drone Kids Flight Academy offers afterschool programs & summer camps with hands-on drone training with STEM integration. As well as drone workshops for schools, community centers, and youth organizations. We also provide individual drone flight lessons.

One of our goals is to help as many kids from various communities and expose them to drone technology and the world of aviation. We want to create an inclusive, imaginative learning environment where every child feels seen, capable, and inspired. My programs blend technical rigor with playful creativity, making STEM approachable and exciting.

I’m always proud when I get to see kids fly a drone for the first time. Watching them troubleshoot, collaborate, and realize they’re capable of mastering technology. That’s the mission. We’re here to elevate STEM education, one flight at a time. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community leader, I invite you to join us in shaping the next generation of innovators and pilots of their own careers.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My business partner and I have known each other for over 20 years, we first met back in middle school. Even then, we clicked instantly. We always had a natural rhythm when working together.

Over the years, we dabbled in small ventures, always finding ways to support each other’s ambitions. I vividly remember helping him when he was launching his first solo business. I wasn’t just cheering from the sidelines, I was offering ideas, helping with logistics, and doing whatever I could to see him succeed.

We’d always talked about building something together, but for the longest time, we couldn’t land on an idea that truly excited us both. That changed when the drone business came into the picture. This time, it felt different. We both saw the potential, and more importantly, we both felt the passion. So we decided to go all in with not hesitation. Since then, we’ve had each other’s backs every step of the way. We hold each other accountable, challenge each other to grow, and celebrate every win, big or small. It’s more than just a business partnership we have a bond built on trust, shared vision, and decades of friendship.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I first decided to launch my drone education business, I didn’t have a major investor or a large savings account. I started with just $500 of my own money, which went entirely toward purchasing equipment and materials. The first phase of the business began with an afterschool program in Durham, NC, where I saw a unique opportunity to test my concept in real time. I used that program as a platform to introduce kids to drone technology, blending hands-on learning with core STEM principles.

Every dollar earned from that initiative was reinvested into the business with buying new equipment, developing curriculum, and refining the experience in preparation for our summer camp program. This past summer, we secured our first partnership, and we’re now planning to expand with two or more partnerships for summer 2026. As a business, we’ve committed to scaling slowly and sustainably by reinvesting our earnings. That grassroots approach has kept us grounded and allowed us to build a company that’s deeply connected to the community and responsive to what students truly need. With that initial investment, we’ve been able to more than triple our return in less than two years and we’re just getting started.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dronekidsflightacademy.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dronekidsflightacademy
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/dronekidsflightacademy/