Star City Six – Jeff Gaston
Locally owned and operated, Digital Sky (www.DigitalSky.com) is the premier marketing leader in video production, branding development, and commercial UAV. Jeff Gaston is the co-owner of Digital Sky.
Tell us a little about your business.
Digital Sky has been around for 4 years now. We have two divisions: Creative, which handles video production and marketing, and Inspection, which encompasses 3D modeling, mapping, and inspection through the use of fixed wing and propeller drones.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Work/Life balance. I’ve worked nonstop since I was young, so that’s literally all I have ever known. It is very hard for me to not work 7 days a week.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
At age 15 I started my own DJ company, All Around Sound of Nebraska. I had employees and did events all over Nebraska/Kansas for 10 years. I sold it to a company in Colorado at age 25. The amount of leadership, ambition, and talent that I had in business at that age was too often overlooked.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
A few years ago I had it made. Six-figure job, big house, big toys, married, you name it. I came home to my wife having an affair. I got divorced, but didn’t care because I still had my best friend by my side, a yellow lab named Bean. A few months after the divorce, Bean Dog got liver cancer and died. He was all I had. At that point I realized that I could get the house, the truck, the toys any day for the rest of my life but I’d never get him back. I found out money meant nothing the day he died.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Simple equation: Grill + Craft Beer + Cigar + Music = Relax.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I have holes in both of my eyes. I was born with glaucoma and from a multitude of surgeries I have permanent holes in my eyes. I’m currently blind in my left eye.
What are you the most proud of?
My first podcast, Leff2Deff. I started it 2 years ago and had an audience of listeners spanning 41 countries. I’ve since ended it, but by popular demand, I’m releasing a business podcast/web series this year.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Anything can be learned” from Steve Harms, MetalQuest Unlimited.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) by Garth Brooks.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
Plastic surgeon. Something about the combination of extreme precision in surgery and being able to help people feel good about themselves has always intrigued me.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
My all-time favorite is American Desperado by Jon Roberts and Evan Wright.
What is your favorite TV show?
The Office.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Vincenzo’s.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Bill Moos. I’m not interested in the football aspect, but the business side of his life. I study body language and how the mind works a lot and the way he handles himself during press conferences is incredible.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 840-0997; Email: Jeff@DigitalSky.com; Website: www.DigitalSky.com.