Today we’d like to introduce you to Roman Molla.
Roman, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My family and I moved to the states in 1994 from Riga, Latvia (the former Soviet Union) when I was 14 years old and settled in Boston, MA. I finished high school and college in Boston and moved to Atlanta in 2002. Back at that time, Atlanta was a lovely city that offered attractive opportunities, although today, over a decade later, it is almost unrecognizable. I always had an entrepreneurial side to me and started a few small businesses, if you can call it that 🙂 throughout high school and college. From a landscaping company, graphic design gigs and computer technical support I always enjoyed looking for business opportunities and giving it a try. That spirit must have carried on from my father who always had to hustle to support a family of 7 in the old days of the Soviet Union. My dad is the hardest working, and wisest man I have ever known and I owe both him and my mother the world for giving my siblings and me the opportunity to come to this country and realize our dreams. Although not every business was a runaway success, my experiences have taught me a ton about myself and general business practices that I could not have learned in any school.
Atlanta was a great place for me to grow in my knowledge of business through my work. I started here as a project manager in a highly successful hotel renovation company that helped me develop skills in people management, accounting, general service industry and an overall business hustle. From there I had an opportunity to start a new business with two other partners that was specialized in property renovation and management services for foreclosure residential real estate industry that was emerging in 2009 from the housing industry downturn. At the height of my involvement in that company we employed over 250 employees and contractors and had revenues in the millions. One of the best takeaways from 4 years running that business for me was that technology has a huge positive effect on running a business if you educate yourself and take advantage of it. By being the first construction company in that space to build and utilize a custom cloud-based software, we were able to positively affect our bottom line and stay ahead of our competition. This and other experiences throughout my business life has paved the way for me to branching out into the unknown world of drones and starting FlyWorx LLC.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, it was not a smooth road by far. From the move to a new country, learning a new language to being made fun off by other kids in school for being an immigrant.
Business challenges such as starting new companies from zero, dealing and managing employees, cash flow issues, and many other challenges it has been very tough at times. I would like to quote a Bible verse from James 1:12 that has helped me through many of these challenges: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” In my experience, as long as you don’t let these issues get you down, work hard and keep believing in yourself and what you are doing anything is possible!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
FlyWorx LLC is a leading drone services company in the southeast and has been in business going on four years. We specialize in providing services for real estate marketing, industrial inspections, and Film & TV production. It has been a perfect storm for our industry. As this technology has matured over the last few years being based in Atlanta has been a God send for us. From the robust real estate market, colleges such as Georgia Tech doing drone research in commercial aerial inspection among other uses and a booming movie and TV production in the state has allowed us to grow and develop our products. We are one of the only local go to drone and production companies for many high-end TV & movie projects taking place in the state. From Tylor Perry’s Studios Boo Madea Halloween, CBS TV shows such as MacGyver & Dynasty, AMC TV shows such as The Walking Dead & Ride with Norman Reedus to numerous other TV shows and movies. What sets us apart is our people by far! We are all technology geeks and creatives at the same time. I believe that these strengths have allowed us to be a leader in this field.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Atlanta is a bustling and fast-growing city that has changed to be almost unrecognizable in the time that I have been here. Our entrepreneurial climate is ripe for startups and people that want to enter this exciting world. From start-up incubators such as Atlanta Tech Village to Georgia Tech’s ATDC, lower cost of living and quality of life in the city, in my opinion, Atlanta is a place to be. Especially if you are like me and have ideas to build exciting startups that will benefit and better humankind. Come to Atlanta, and you will not be disappointed!
Contact Info:
- Address: FlyWorx LLC
1417 Mayson St.,
Atlanta, GA 30324 - Website: www.flyworx.co
- Phone: (844) 359-9679
- Email: info@flyworx.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyworx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flyworx.co/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/flyworx?lang=en
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/FlyWorxATL
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