Story & Lesson Highlights with Patrick Harlan of Birmingham, AL

We recently had the chance to connect with Patrick Harlan and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Patrick, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am proud that I was able to carve out a life and a career with the person that I love. As improbable as it is, we got to both pursue the careers that we wanted and we got to do it together. Hers is more structured and mine happens to be less traditional. I was able to come up with an idea and see it through all while traveling the country driving a box truck for various construction projects. I had to utilize my resources very carefully in order to pursue my end goal of doing drone work full time. I had to constantly view social media and the internet to learn more about the various makes and models of drones that exist today and the different types of software that is utilized. I had to also learn how and why the software runs a certain way in order to better understand which type of aircraft is utilized and why. I am proud of the work and commitment I did because it truly helped me pursue my end goal and I was only able to do it because someone special believed in me.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Patrick Harlan and I started my own company called AirReelers, it was a crazy dream that became a reality. I create content for brands and fly drones and shoot video for a living, while also editing as well. I have worked in various sectors such as: commercial real estate, residential real estate, insurance providers, law enforcement, critical infrastructure, as well as drone light shows. I run a fleet of drones and have had the pleasure of working with large name brands such as Porsche, Progressive, and Pinehurst. While simultaneously, helping launch apps and create AI models for various businesses.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That person would definitely have to be my fiancé. She has made want to be come a better person and better future spouse. The media/drone world works very different and it is very easy to get “lost in the sauce” but with her continued support and understanding, I have been able to do some incredible things that I thought I would never get to do.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
That there are no free rides. If you want something you must work for it, there is no short cut period. At times you will have to suffer, but those are the times where an individual proves that they are capable. Work leads to suffering, suffering leads to perseverance, perseverance leads to success. That’s just the formula, that’s how it works. That’s a lesson I learned from goalkeeper training in soccer.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
To be honest I don’t know. I don’t know how I come across to other people. I just know that I am me. And even that perception of another person is also me. I believe we are all an amalgamation of different parts of life. I can be smart, serious, goofy, dumb, caring, and insensitive. But in the end, we all do that. We are all our true selves whether we want to believe it or not. So to better answer your question, my response is what I tell my fiancé all the time: “Sweetheart, I am smart and dumb all at the same time, I just view the world differently”.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When have you had to bet the company?
When I got into critical infrastructure, I had to get more required certifications and buy more gear that costs additional resources. I honestly didn’t know if the venture would pan out so that’s why I had to do everything by the book. I can’t afford to deviate and just do my own thing, do and say whatever I want. I built my company so that I could get married and have family and that I something I always remember when I go to work.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Patrick Harlan
Angelina Bolaños

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Is the public version of you the real you?

We all think we’re being real—whether in public or in private—but the deeper challenge is

Highlighter Series
Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?

We asked some of the most interesting entrepreneurs and creatives to open up about recent

Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we