Mississippi entrepreneurs Paul and Breanna Sweet didn’t just want a business. They wanted something lasting — a way to support their eight children and build generational wealth.

“In order to build something generational and achieve the financial things we want, it’s going to come from running a business,” Paul said. “That was the driving force behind starting to look at what we could do. That got our gears turning.”

That realization led the couple to launch Sweet Waters Real Estate Imaging, a new Brandon-based company providing professional real estate photography and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved drone imaging services for agents throughout the Jackson area, particularly Rankin and Madison counties.

The business grew naturally out of Breanna’s creative background. Paul said her experience in visual media helped the couple recognize an opportunity in a growing housing market near Jackson.

“This was in our wheelhouse, especially Breanna’s,” he said. “She’s been doing graphic design, video editing, videography, and photography. It came together as a good fit for our skills and background, and we saw it was achievable on our own using the platforms available to deliver a high-quality product.”

“I love seeing other people’s homes inside and out,” she said. “I love taking what is a stressful time for people and giving them the best photography possible so they have a good opportunity to sell their home.”

Sometimes the results surprise sellers.

“After we take pictures and show the final product, people sometimes say, ‘I didn’t realize my house looks so good,’” she said. “That’s a compliment to what we’re doing, but it also gives them a confidence boost, and that’s exciting.”

From Idea to Launch

To get started, the Sweets worked with the Mississippi State Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Counselor Flint Brent helped them develop their business plan and connected them to the Lending Team at Communities Unlimited (CU).

After reviewing what they needed to get the business off the ground, the Sweet family pursued startup capital through CU and worked with Economic Development Loan Officer Chris Tillman. Their loan, thanks to the support of the Sachs Family Foundation, closed in December 2025.

The financing also helped the couple make a key decision. Rather than purchasing into a franchise, they launched independently.

“We’re thankful for the guidance in the review process that pointed out some concerning things about it,” Paul said. “CU told us they believed in the business opportunity and would still be open to working with us if we did it on our own.”

“That has enabled us to do much more with the business overall and offer a wider service area and different uses for the equipment beyond residential real estate,” Paul continued. “Seeing what we can do now and the systems available to run this business efficiently has been eye-opening and exciting for our clients.”

Investing in Equipment — and Opportunity

The loan allowed the Sweets to purchase equipment necessary for professional real estate imaging.

“We used a lot of the loan for equipment — top-of-the-line cameras, a DSLR camera, and a 360 camera,” Breanna said. “It uses LiDAR laser technology and creates a floor plan while we take photos. We also had to get a drone and an FAA commercial drone license, plus website setup and back-office expenses.”

Without financing, she said, the business would likely not exist.

“We would not have been able to get the equipment we needed without it,” Breanna said. “We have eight kids, so we don’t have extra money laying around to go buy a drone.”

Looking Ahead

For now, Breanna operates the business full time, with a long-term goal of Paul joining her as the company grows. The Sweet family have set high goals as they get the business off the ground.

“The first stage is for us to work with 20 to 30 realtors each month,” Paul said. “Within a year, we want to build to 40 to 50. At that point we’re generating six-figure gross revenue and can scale to other areas and hire photographers. It’s very scalable and has a lot of potential.”

As Sweet Waters Real Estate Imaging begins photographing homes across the Jackson region, the Sweets hope their business will do more than help houses sell.

“This is the best way to build something generational, accomplish our financial goals, support our family, and build something lasting and impactful,” Paul said. “And we’re thankful for the process and for Chris and getting to this point where we’re launching.”

Take a behind-the-scenes look at Sweet Waters Real Estate Imaging in action.