Interviews

Adam Zayor of FlyGuys

An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Adam Zayor (founder and CEO) of FlyGuys, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of FlyGuys – what problem were you trying to solve and why?

I was working as a project manager for a large-scale industrial construction firm in 2014. We started using drones for marketing images and videos to showcase projects. As soon as I saw the data, I realized that this data could be used for construction progress monitoring, project controls, inspections, and a whole host of other things. Once I began to realize that this technology could be applicable to many more industries, I knew I wanted to get into the market. I realized early on that capturing the data was going to be the bottleneck to scaling any number of drone solutions, so this is what we now focus on: scalable, cost-effective, and timely data collection solutions.

What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?

One of the biggest hurdles I encountered was recognizing and accepting the reality of the business world and the level of greed that accompanies it. Another big one was the realization of my own limitations, and of course, the importance of money, which I now equate with energy and potential.

What does the future hold for FlyGuys?

FlyGuys is in a positive place – we have funding, we have leadership, we have structure, and we have a plan. FlyGuys will continue to grow over the next five years. We will continue to capture market share and will continue to develop new ways to support this growing industry.

What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Lafayette?

Lafayette is fortunate enough to have a really wonderful business incubator, The Opportunity Machine run by Destin Ortego, which provides startups with a ton of help. FlyGuys has benefited tremendously from their programs. We have a number of local startups that are doing some impressive and creative things. One startup in particular that captured my attention is Something Borrowed Blooms.

What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Surround yourself with capable, self-sufficient people. Always encourage people to speak their minds. Apologize if you make a mistake. Save as much money as you can before you start. Create healthy wellness habits to keep stress in check and find a good honest mentor early on.

 

For more exclusive interviews, see our full Profile of a Founder series