Barrett Stubbs, a 35-year-old entrepreneurship and information technology student at Ivy Tech Indianapolis, is no stranger to reinvention. After serving eight years in the Marine Corps, pursuing a career as a music producer, and even working as a ski patrol, Stubbs has now found his calling as an entrepreneur.
Alongside his business partners, Bryant McMahon and David Risner, Stubbs is on the verge of launching a groundbreaking venture: Secure Drone Delivery as a Service (SDDaaS), which will securely deliver medication by drone. With a working prototype completed and funding in the works, Stubbs is poised to revolutionize how medications reach patients, particularly the elderly and those in rural areas.
A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention
Stubbs’ path to entrepreneurship was anything but linear.
After graduating high school, he struggled to find his footing in college, eventually enlisting in the Marine Corps.
“I did eight years in the infantry in the Marine Corps Reserves, and that provided me with a lot of structure and core values that shaped who I am today,” Stubbs recalls. However, an injury forced him to reconsider his future. “I was either going to get a desk job or remain in the infantry, so I chose to get out.”
After leaving the military, Stubbs explored various career paths, including music production, where he found success opening for notable EDM artists like Dillon Francis and Armin van Buuren. But by his early 30s, he realized he needed a more stable and structured path.
“I realized I didn’t want to have this lifestyle going into my 30s, and now I’m 35 looking towards my 40s,” he says.
Through Veteran Affairs, Stubbs returned to Ivy Tech, where he initially pursued informatics before adding entrepreneurship to his studies. It was during this time that he and his business partner saw an opportunity in the emerging drone technology space.
“We saw a number of things in the space that wanted to explore, and technology advanced to make that possible,” Stubbs explains. “So we pulled the trigger.”
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A Game-Changing Idea: Secure Drone Delivery
Stubbs’ company, which started as a concept for delivering cannabis, has evolved into a secure drone delivery service for medications. The idea was born out of a desire to make healthcare more accessible, especially for those who struggle to access pharmacies.
“The number one thing that smokers don’t like to do is leave the house,” Stubbs jokes. “But we realized this could be a game-changer for medical deliveries.”
The key technological breakthrough came with the ability to operate drones beyond the visual line of sight using nationwide cellular coverage.
“Previously, you had to see the drone within 200 yards, which doesn’t make sense for deliveries,” Stubbs explains. “Now, drones can operate on cellular signals, making long-distance deliveries feasible.”
The company’s prototype features a secure safe with eight compartments, each locked until biometric verification is completed.
“The customer scans their face, taps their phone on the safe, and retrieves their package,” Stubbs says. “It’s a game-changer for convenience, especially for elderly patients who need recurring medications.”
Building a Dream Team
Stubbs credits much of the company’s progress to his co-founders, Bryant McMahon and David Risner. Risner, who works in safety, brought critical expertise in risk assessment and operational hazards.
“Dave knows safety like the back of his hand,” Stubbs says. “He’s the face of the company, the president, and he balances me out.”
McMahon, a talented coder, developed the compliance system for verifying IDs and integrating it into the application.
“Brian is one of the smartest coders I’ve ever met,” Stubbs says. “He reverse-engineered the compliance part, and that’s when we knew we had to bring him in.”
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Overcoming Challenges and Securing Funding
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Initially, the company faced resistance due to its cannabis-focused origins. “A lot of people wouldn’t work with us when we were ‘Deliver Weed,’” Stubbs admits. However, after rebranding as a holding company, they gained traction. The team has secured funding from friends and family,, and is now in talks with a potential angel investor who has expressed interest in their venture.
“We’re looking at beta testing our concept with Men’s Health Solutions in Carmel this spring,” Stubbs says. “We have FAA approval, and everything is lined up. We’re just waiting on the funding to come in.”
Ivy Tech: A Second Chance and a Launchpad
For Stubbs, Ivy Tech has been more than just a school—it’s been a place of personal and professional growth.
“Ivy Tech gave me a second chance,” he says. “I flunked out in 2009, but they didn’t treat me like an older student when I came back. It felt natural, and the remote learning options have been incredibly accommodating.”
Stubbs says the assortment of resources and the opportunity to build a schedule that works for him are two of his favorite things about Ivy Tech. He says he is not really interested in another institution.
“Honestly, it’s just been the best time. I’ve nothing bad to say about Ivy Tech. I’ve honestly gained so much from this entire experience,” Stubbs shared. “I’ve been asked a number of different times if I wanted to transfer and pursue other degree paths, and I’ve always adamantly said no because I am beyond happy here. I’m here for the ride as long as you guys will have me!”
Stubbs credits his professors, particularly Tearra Dotson and Steven Thrash, for their guidance and support.
“They’ve been there for me in more ways than one, not just with business advice but also personal growth,” he says. “I’ve grown as a person, a business owner, and even as a student. I never thought I’d say I love learning again, but I do.”
Looking Ahead
Stubbs is on track to graduate this year with two associate degrees in informatics and entrepreneurship, and he’s considering adding cybersecurity to his credentials.
“I’m hoping by the time I earn my degrees, we’ll be at a point where I can start paying myself from the company,” he says. “If not, I’ll continue with certifications and ongoing learning at Ivy Tech.”
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “It’s never too late to start,” Stubbs says, quoting the movie A Knight’s Tale. “You can always change your stars,” he paraphrased. “I started this journey in my early 30s, and I’m so glad I did. I wouldn’t want to be 35 without this.”
With a working prototype, FAA approval, and funding on the horizon, Stubbs and his team are ready to take flight. Their innovative approach to drone delivery could transform healthcare accessibility, proving that with resilience, reinvention, and the right team, anything is possible.
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About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
