Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Skalisky.
Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into entrepreneurship honestly came from two very different parts of my life colliding together: grief and passion.
After my brother passed away, my family and I were devastated. During that time, I found myself planning his celebration of life, and I poured everything into creating something that truly reflected who he was. I didn’t want it to feel cold or impersonal. I wanted people to laugh, tell stories, feel connected, and celebrate the kind of person he was.
What started as one of the hardest moments of my life unexpectedly showed me how powerful meaningful events can be. I realized that events are not just decorations and schedules. They are experiences people carry with them forever. That experience became the foundation for Events On The Gogh.
I wanted to create a business focused on experiences that bring people together in a genuine way. From paint nights and birthdays to celebrations, community events, and photography, our goal has always been helping people create memories they will actually remember. We built Events On The Gogh around creativity, connection, and making events feel personal rather than cookie-cutter.
At the same time, another passion of mine was growing behind the scenes: drones, photography, and videography. I had spent years flying drones while living in Europe and became fascinated with the way aerial imagery can completely change how people see the world. That eventually led to the creation of Patriot Drone Operations.
Patriot Drone Operations combines professional drone training, aerial photography, and real-world flight education. As a female veteran-owned business, we wanted to make drone education approachable while emphasizing safety, professionalism, and practical application. Whether we are teaching new pilots, capturing aerial media, or helping people build confidence flying, the goal is the same: helping people grow through creativity and skill-building.
Looking back, neither business started from a perfect business plan. They started from life experiences, passion, and wanting to create something meaningful. Today, both businesses continue to grow because they are built on authenticity, connection, and the belief that experiences matter.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. Like most small businesses, there have been a lot of challenges behind the scenes that people do not always see.
One of the biggest struggles was starting a business while still processing grief. Events On The Gogh was created from one of the hardest moments of my life, so there was a constant balance between building something meaningful while also healing personally. There were days where motivation came naturally, and other days where everything felt emotionally exhausting.
Another challenge has been building businesses from the ground up without massive investors or a huge team behind us. A lot of people see the finished events, photos, or videos, but they do not see the late nights, trial and error, learning marketing, handling websites, managing finances, creating content, networking, and wearing ten different hats at once. Especially in the beginning, it felt like every lesson had to be learned the hard way.
As a female veteran-owned business owner in industries that can sometimes be male-dominated, especially in the drone and aviation space, there have also been moments where I felt underestimated. That honestly became motivation for me to work harder, become more knowledgeable, and build businesses that speak for themselves through professionalism and quality.
One of the hardest parts overall has probably been learning how to grow sustainably while still maintaining the personal touch that makes our businesses unique. We never wanted to become something that felt generic or disconnected from people. We care deeply about the experiences we create, and that level of care takes time, energy, and consistency.
But every obstacle has also helped shape who we are today. The challenges forced us to become adaptable, creative, resilient, and intentional about the kind of businesses we wanted to build. Looking back, I think those struggles are a huge part of why both businesses feel so personal and meaningful to us now.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I wear a few very different hats, and I think that combination is part of what makes my story unique.
I currently serve full-time as an active duty Major in the United States Army Air Defense Artillery branch, where I now work in homeland defense planning and protection operations. Throughout my military career, I have worked in leadership, operations, and planning roles supporting air and missile defense missions both in the United States and abroad. A large part of my work today focuses on protecting critical infrastructure, force protection, and coordinating complex defense operations at a strategic level.
What I am most proud of in my military career is the opportunity to lead people, solve difficult problems, and contribute to missions that genuinely matter. The Army has taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to operate under pressure while still taking care of people. Those lessons heavily shaped how I approach business ownership and leadership outside of uniform as well.
Outside of the military, I co-founded Events On The Gogh and Patriot Drone Operations, which are two businesses built around creativity, experiences, and education.
With Events On The Gogh, we specialize in event planning, paint nights, and photography experiences that help people create meaningful memories. With Patriot Drone Operations, we focus on drone training, aerial photography, and helping new pilots learn to fly safely and confidently.
I think what sets me apart is the ability to combine structure and creativity. My military background taught me discipline, planning, and leadership, while entrepreneurship allowed me to build something personal and artistic. Most people do not expect someone working in homeland defense and missile defense planning to also be running paint nights, photography events, and drone operations, but I think that balance is exactly what makes me who I am.
At the center of everything I do, whether in uniform or in business, is people. I genuinely care about creating experiences, building connections, mentoring others, and leaving things better than I found them.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am always trying to learn and improve, both professionally and personally, so I spend a lot of time listening to podcasts, reading leadership books, and finding resources that help me stay disciplined, creative, and balanced.
One podcast I listen to regularly is the Huberman Lab podcast. I really enjoy the science-based approach to topics like stress management, sleep, focus, performance, and overall health. Working in high-stress environments while also running businesses makes those topics incredibly relevant for me.
Some books that have had a big impact on me include Extreme Ownership, which reinforced a lot of leadership principles I’ve experienced firsthand in the military, and Atomic Habits because it emphasizes how small consistent actions create long-term success. I also really enjoyed Leaders Eat Last for its focus on leadership, trust, and building strong teams.
On the business and creative side, I spend a lot of time using platforms like Canva for marketing and design work, and I’m constantly learning through photography, drone, and small business communities online.
Honestly, I think one of the biggest things that helps me perform well is staying curious. Whether it is leadership, aviation, psychology, creativity, or entrepreneurship, I genuinely enjoy learning from people who are experts in their field and applying those lessons to my own life and work.
Pricing:
- One thing many people do not realize is that hiring an event planner can actually help save money in the long run. Through Events On The Gogh, we work closely with local vendors and venues, understand realistic budgeting, and know where to find quality options without overspending. We help clients avoid costly mistakes, last-minute purchases, and unnecessary stress while still creating memorable experiences.
- We intentionally try to keep our event services flexible and approachable for different budgets because we believe meaningful events should feel personal rather than overly complicated or financially overwhelming.
- With Patriot Drone Operations, our primary focus is hands-on drone education and helping new remote pilots learn how to operate safely and confidently in the real world. Our goal has always been to make quality training accessible without pricing it out of reach.
- One thing we are proud of is offering in-person beginner drone training courses that often cost less than the drone itself, while still providing several hours of hands-on instruction, safety training, FAA guidance, and real-world flight experience. We want people to leave feeling confident, knowledgeable, and safe operating their equipment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eventsonthegogh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsonthegogh?igsh=bzd6Z2c2bzFtOWZz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CGE7coD4B/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/events-on-the-gogh/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/events-on-the-gogh-san-antonio
- Other: https://www.patriotdroneoperations.com
