Marketing a Drone Company in 2025

In this episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead welcomes Cassidy Will, founder of Labradorly Marketing, to discuss her journey from recent college graduate to a rising entrepreneur at the heart of North Dakota’s UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) ecosystem. Cassidy shares how her roots in Grand Forks, a fortuitous internship, and a web of community connections led to the creation of her boutique marketing consultancy, now serving key players in the drone and VTOL space. The conversation delves into the intricacies of marketing within the UAS sector, the pivotal role of events like Verticon and Exponential, and how Cassidy helps early-stage companies like Meadowlark and The Hive build strategic visibility. Packed with insight into the unique business climate of North Dakota and the fast-evolving aerospace innovation landscape, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, marketers, and aviation professionals alike. Episode Highlights: Cassidy’s unexpected journey into entrepreneurship during COVID-19 The origin story of Labradorly Marketing Key differences in marketing strategies for UAS compared to traditional sectors The strategic role of industry conferences in aerospace growth How Grand Forks and The Hive are fostering innovation in North Dakota Cassidy’s vision for the future of her business and consulting in the UAS space Key Points with Timestamps: [00:00:00] Cassidy reflects on her original post-college career expectations and her surprising turn toward entrepreneurship [00:01:42] Launching Labradorly Marketing from an internship and community mentorship [00:02:54] Explanation of The Hive as a UAS-focused tech accelerator and Cassidy's marketing role there [00:04:11] The complexity of marketing in the UAS industry due to multi-sector client types [00:06:14] Meadowlark’s branding phase and the importance of early-stage strategic visibility [00:06:44] Why UAS conferences like Verticon and Exponential are business-critical for deal-making and growth [00:08:23] Cassidy’s love for the Grand Forks business climate and its support for young founders