Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Buelterman.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I had been in mortgage lending for 24 years and I saw that there was a gap in listing agents’ marketing of their listings. Specifically, the lack of neighborhood-focused videos that helps buyers truly understand what it’s like to live there. I recognized that drone footage is essential for marketing a listing, so I obtained my drone certification. The certification requires passing an exam based on the fundamentals of a pilot’s license, making it quite challenging to pass., but I did pass. While studying for my exam, I learned to fly my drone and developed video editing skills to create compelling content that highlights both the property and its surrounding area. I honed my skills through self-study, learning from videos and tutorials and adapting the most effective techniques into my own style.
To introduce this concept to the market, I’ve hosted breakfasts and events for real estate agents where I present my work and demonstrate the value of neighborhood-focused video marketing—an approach that remains largely untapped in real estate marketing. I regularly attend networking meetings to present my videos and marketing approach as well.
A little over a year later, while attending a networking event, I connected with a professional in the construction field and shared the work I do. He asked if I offered drone mapping—something I wasn’t yet familiar with at all. I told him I would look into it and was confident I could learn it. After much research, I found a great training resource and began learning the fundamentals of drone mapping. It’s a complex and highly technical process, but I was eager to learn, expand my skill set and take on the challenge.
Drone mapping involves flying a specialized drone over a designated area, capturing a series of overlapping images. These images are then processed using software that stitches them together to create a single, comprehensive view of the entire area. My next step was to purchase a specialized drone that created the type of mapping I wanted to do.
To date, I have worked with a large remodeling company in San Diego, providing both video content and drone mapping so they can track the progression of a multi-million-dollar home build. I am focused on developing partnerships with more construction and remodeling companies through networking within the industry.
I’ve found that this service is largely underserved within my industry groups, and as a woman in a male-dominated field, I offer a distinct and valuable perspective.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Pivoting to a new career comes with its own set of challenges, but stepping into a field I had little experience in was especially daunting. Still, I was driven to pursue something that would both challenge me and be fun..
Learning to fly a drone, understanding the rules and regulations, and developing video editing skills was demanding—but also incredibly rewarding.
When I started exploring drone mapping, I didn’t realize how technical it was, but I recognized the industry was evolving and increasingly relying on drone technology. I knew that with persistence, I could be part of that change while doing work I truly enjoy!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m especially proud to provide services that are not offered within the real estate community and not widely offered within the construction communities I’ve been part of. As a woman in a male-dominated field, I value the expertise I’ve built and the perspective I bring. My journey reflects the tenacity and determination that have carried me to where I am today.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
This is the third business I have started and I have been to 37 countries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebridgetoyourfrontdoor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgetyfd_sandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.buelterman/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-buelterman-27352724/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCcFgVhTkR6MUGV-7dtG3ZkQ
