Afleveringen

  • Christian Lefley: 77th of 77 — Now Running the Same School’s Contracts

    Christian Lefley: 77th of 77 — Now Running the Same School’s Contracts

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Try TULBOXX Free — AI estimating & invoicing for contractors. First 5 estimates free, no credit card: www.tulboxx.com

    Graduated dead last…

    Now he’s paid by the same school…

    And built a business off word of mouth.

    Christian Lefley finished 77th out of 77 in his class—and now does paid work for that same school district. This episode isn’t about motivation—it’s about what actually matters when you’re running a skid steer, answering nonstop calls, and figuring things out the hard way. From burying a rented excavator to turning down big jobs, this is real contractor life.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ Dead last doesn’t mean dead end: School didn’t click—but business did

    ✅ Your punishment can turn into profit: What got him in trouble now pays him every year

    ✅ You don’t need perfect systems to start: Most of it is learned under pressure

    ✅ Missed calls = missed money: If you can’t respond, you’re losing jobs—simple

    ✅ Good work builds everything: Word of mouth still beats chasing leads

    Why it Matters:

    If you’re in excavation, skid steer work, or property maintenance, this shows you don’t need a perfect start—you need to execute and stick with it.

    LINKS:

    Try TULBOXX Free — First 5 estimates free, no credit card: www.tulboxx.com

    ➡️ Reach out to Christtian — Windwood Property Services: https://www.instagram.com/christian_lefley/

    ➡️ Shop Attachments — Skid Steer Nation: https://skidsteernation.com/

    ➡️ Contractor Marketing — Throttled Up: https://www.getthrottledup.com

  • Nicholas White: He Could've Started at 16. He Waited Until 40

    Nicholas White: He Could've Started at 16. He Waited Until 40

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Try TULBOXX Free — AI estimating & invoicing for contractors. First 5 estimates free, no credit card: www.tulboxx.com

    Nicholas White grew up around excavation.

    His father has been in the dirt business his entire life.

    He waited until he was almost 40 to join him — and it took a vaccine mandate to finally make it happen.

    Most guys in excavation started young. Nicholas took the long way around — machinist, CDL trucker, Coca-Cola driver, nuclear journeyman machinist at a US Navy shipyard, engineering technician. Then COVID hit, the shipyard issued the mandate, and the decision he'd been putting off for 25 years got made for him.

    He bought a John Deere 200D, called his dad, and they built WPM Excavation in southern Maine from the ground up.

    TAKEAWAYS:

    ✅ The Career Nobody Expected — Nuclear journeyman machinist. Engineering technician. COVID mandate. That's what it took to finally get Nicholas into the excavator full time.

    ✅ Working With Your Father — His dad is 70, still putting in 10-12 hour days, and owns four of the six excavators. The dynamic took years to get right.

    ✅ The Job He Should've Walked Away From — He tried to make bad materials work on a pond job. Customer was unhappy. Here's what he learned and what he does differently now.

    ✅ "I Trained My Competition" — The 17-year-old he hired, developed, and eventually lost to the GC across the street.

    ✅ Low Overhead as a Moat — In a saturated local market, keeping costs lean is the strategy that lets you outlast the guys who overborrowed.

    LINKS:

    Try TULBOXX Free — First 5 estimates free, no credit card: www.tulboxx.com

    ➡️ Follow Nicholas — WPM Excavation: www.wpmexcavation.com

    ➡️ Shop Attachments — Skid Steer Nation: https://skidsteernation.com/

    ➡️ Contractor Marketing — Throttled Up: https://www.getthrottledup.com

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  • Daniel Snell: The $4,000 Mistake That Taught Him How Commercial Work Really Works

    Daniel Snell: The $4,000 Mistake That Taught Him How Commercial Work Really Works

    · Skid Steer Nation

    He lost $4K over one line of missing wording. Not bad work. Not bad equipment. Just one mistake in a contract.

    Daniel jumped into excavation young with “$10K and a dream”… but commercial work hit him hard. One missed detail in a bid cost him thousands—and that was just the start. This episode is about what actually happens when you move into commercial site work: slow pay, tight margins, and contracts that can bury you if you’re not careful.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ You’re not losing money on dirt, you’re losing it on wording. One missing “budgetary” note cost him $4,000. Contracts matter more than the machine.

    ✅ Commercial jobs don’t pay fast, plan for it. 45-day waits with $50K–$80K floating out there will choke you if you’re not ready.

    ✅ Your reputation gets you in, your paperwork keeps you alive. Word of mouth got him commercial jobs. Contracts almost took him out.

    ✅ Give customers 3 options and stop getting shopped. Good / Better / Best pricing helped him close more residential jobs without competing on price.

    ✅ Being a great operator won’t scale your business. The real test = can your company run without you? He calls it the “2-week test.”

    Why it Matters: If you’re moving into commercial excavation or site work, this is the stuff that decides if you stay in business.

    Links:

    ➡️ Visit DMS Excavation’s Facebook Page – Follow Daniel Snell’s excavation journey. https://www.facebook.com/dmsexcavation

    ➡️ Build your business with the right attachments. Shop Attachments at Skid Steer Nation: https://skidsteernation.com/

    ➡️ Marketing built for contractors. Marketing Help at Throttled Up: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Cody Cocas: Why “Nice Customers” Almost Cost Him His Business

    Cody Cocas: Why “Nice Customers” Almost Cost Him His Business

    · Skid Steer Nation

    He was mowing customers’ lawns… after finishing their job.

    Not charging for extras… because he liked them.

    That mindset almost killed his margins—until he flipped to utilities.

    Cody Cocas went from small residential jobs to multi-million dollar utility contracts in under 18 months—but not the way most guys think. The turning point wasn’t more leads or better equipment. It was realizing that being “a good guy” in residential work was costing him real money—and forcing a hard pivot into contract-based utility work that actually scales.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ Stop “liking your way” out of profit – Cody admits he gave away work just because he liked customers, and it crushed margins early on

    ✅ Utilities = boundaries – Contract work (stormwater, drainage, energy) removed emotion and made pricing, scope, and payment predictable

    ✅ Relationships beat luck – His biggest opportunity came from a connection he helped years earlier that came back around when he needed it most

    ✅ You don’t need to know everything – Your job as an owner is removing roadblocks, not being the best operator or estimator

    ✅ Fix one problem at a time – Trying to clean up everything in your business at once leads to doing nothing well

    Why It Matters:

    If you’re stuck doing low-margin residential work or struggling to scale your dirt work business, this shows what it takes to move into real contract work that grows.

    Links:

    ➡️ Visit TSF Construction’s website – Follow Cody Cocas’ excavation journey. ⁠https://thesavagefarm.com/

    ➡️ Build your business with the right attachments. Shop Attachments at Skid Steer Nation: ⁠⁠https://skidsteernation.com/⁠

    ➡️ Marketing built for contractors. Marketing Help at Throttled Up: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.getthrottledup.com⁠⁠

  • John Seaman: The Day He Fired His Entire Crew (And Rebuilt a Stronger Company)

    John Seaman: The Day He Fired His Entire Crew (And Rebuilt a Stronger Company)

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Most contractors complain about employees.John Seaman fired his entire crew in one day.What he built after that changed how his excavation company runs forever.

    Running excavation crews in the mountains of North Carolina means steep slopes, landslides, and million-dollar homes sitting on unstable ground. John Seaman built his company around solving the jobs nobody else wants to touch.

    But the real turning point in his business wasn’t a project — it was the day he fired his entire crew and rebuilt the culture from scratch.

    In this episode, John breaks down how transparency with numbers, accountability in the field, and smarter scaling helped him grow a site development company that now handles complex projects across multiple states.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ The Day He Fired EveryoneAfter coming back from a trip and realizing his crew had shut down work on their own, John fired the entire team and rebuilt the company culture from the ground up.

    ✅ Why Most Contractors Scale Too FastAdding a second crew before the first one runs independently can lose money on both crews.

    ✅ Saving Million-Dollar Homes on LandslidesJohn’s team is known for emergency slope stabilization projects — including saving a $23M home with a million-dollar retaining wall.

    ✅ Transparency With Numbers Changes EverythingEvery employee in his company knows what a job sells for, what it costs, and whether the company made money.

    ✅ The System Most Contractors IgnoreTracking time and knowing your real daily overhead can make or break an excavation company.

    Why It Matters:

    If you run an excavation, land clearing, or site work business, this episode shows how culture, systems, and financial discipline determine whether your company scales—or collapses.

    Links:

    ➡️ Visit JC Property Professionals’ website – Follow John Seamans excavation journey. www.jcpropertyprofessionals.com

    ➡️ Shop Attachments at Skid Steer Nation: ⁠https://skidsteernation.com/ – “Build your business with the right attachments.”

    ➡️ Marketing Help at Throttled Up: ⁠⁠https://www.getthrottledup.com⁠⁠ – “Marketing built for contractors.

  • Jack Eso: The $4M Move Most Contractors Are Afraid to Make

    Jack Eso: The $4M Move Most Contractors Are Afraid to Make

    · Skid Steer Nation

    He went from renting a skid steer on weekends to landing $4 million in work in 60 days.But the real shift wasn’t equipment — it was systems.And the biggest lesson? Stop racing to the bottom on price.

    Jack Eso of RoseBrooke Site Development breaks down how he scaled from a side hustle to a 10-man operation doing site work, utilities, concrete, and full residential packages in North Carolina. This episode isn’t about hype — it’s about margins, structure, and building a company that doesn’t fall apart when you step away.

    If you’re tired of guessing at numbers, chasing every job, and feeling buried in your own business… this one hits home.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ 50% Gross Profit Rule (Residential): Jack stopped chasing the “going rate” and built his pricing around what his business actually needs — not what competitors charge.

    ✅ $300K–$350K Revenue Per Employee: He tracks revenue per team member to know exactly when it makes sense to hire.

    ✅ Automated Sales Follow-Up: Email, voicemail drops, and video walkthroughs of estimates increased professionalism — and conversions.

    ✅ Outsourced Estimating = Time Freedom: Hiring a commercial estimating firm helped him land $4M in projects without becoming the bottleneck.

    ✅ Say No Early: Fiberglass pools? Done. If it doesn’t fit the system, it’s not worth the lesson.

    Why It Matters:

    If you're running crews, bidding bigger jobs, or trying to stop undercharging — this episode shows how to build real structure without losing control.

    Links:

    ➡️ Visit Rosebrooke Site Development’s website – Follow his Jack Eso’s excavation journey.https://rosebrookelh.com/

    ➡️ Shop Attachments at Skid Steer Nation: ⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠ – “Build your business with the right attachments.”

    ➡️ Marketing Help at Throttled Up: ⁠https://www.getthrottledup.com⁠ – “Marketing built for contractors.”

  • Jeremy Whitson: Why Too Much Work Nearly Broke His Excavation Business

    Jeremy Whitson: Why Too Much Work Nearly Broke His Excavation Business

    · Skid Steer Nation

    He walked away from a VP position with 208 employees.Bought one excavator. No real plan.Then learned the hard way that “booked out” doesn’t mean profitable.

    Jeremy Whitson left a 21-year career in the automotive industry to build Whitson Farms Excavation from scratch. What he didn’t expect? That cash flow—not equipment—would be the real battle. In this episode, Jeremy breaks down commercial work, stormwater systems, estimating discipline, and why too much work nearly wrecked his company.

    This one is about growth pressure, schedule chaos, retention checks, and building a team the right way.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ Too Much Work Is Worse Than Not Enough – Overbooking commercial projects nearly cost him his reputation when rain delays stacked jobs on top of each other.

    ✅ Commercial = Cash Flow Discipline – 45–90 day pay cycles and 5–10% retention mean subs are often funding the project.

    ✅ Bid Like You’ll Win Every Job – Don’t throw numbers out hoping to land one. If you bid it, plan to execute it.

    ✅ Know Your Daily Break-Even – Insurance, fuel, moving equipment, bidding time—it all counts.

    ✅ Focus on What You’re Great At – He stopped doing septic installs himself and partnered instead. Efficiency beats ego.

    Why It Matters:

    If you’re running excavation, utilities, or site work, this episode will sharpen how you think about growth, estimating, and protecting your reputation in commercial projects.

    Links:

    ➡️ Connect with Jeremy Whitson – Follow his excavation journey. https://www.facebook.com/wfexcavationco

    ➡️ Shop Attachments at Skid Steer Nation: https://www.skidsteernation.com – “Build your business with the right attachments.”

    ➡️ Marketing Help at Throttled Up: https://www.getthrottledup.com – “Marketing built for blue-collar contractors.”

  • Sheldon Gould: What 25+ Years in a Small-Market Contracting Business Really Teaches You

    Sheldon Gould: What 25+ Years in a Small-Market Contracting Business Really Teaches You

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Running a contracting business in a small town isn’t glamorous—and Sheldon Gould doesn’t pretend it is. With over 25 years in lawn care, snow removal, land leveling, and property maintenance, Sheldon shares what it actually takes to survive when competition is tight, prices keep climbing, and growth feels slow.

    This episode is for contractors who are still showing up every day and wondering how to build a business that lasts.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ Longevity beats hype: Why staying profitable and trusted for decades matters more than fast growth

    ✅ Small towns come with real limits: He breaks down what competition, undercutting, and pricing pressure look like when your market is under 1,000 people

    ✅ Growth doesn’t mean more machines: Sometimes one attachment or service tweak beats buying a whole new fleet

    ✅ Why “local recognition” works better than big marketing numbers: How a few hundred local followers outperform thousands of random views.

    ✅ Calculated risk vs. blind risk: Expanding only after demand shows up—not before—can keep you alive long enough to grow.

    Why It Matters:

    If you’re grinding in a small market, feeling stuck, or wondering why growth feels harder than it should—this episode proves you’re not broken, and neither is your business.

    Links:

    ➡️ Check out Sheldon Gould’s S&N Custom Lawn Care Facebook Page:⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/sheldon.gould.9

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Nate Morello: Why “More Equipment” Isn’t the Same as a Better Business

    Nate Morello: Why “More Equipment” Isn’t the Same as a Better Business

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Most excavation and heavy civil contractors don’t fail because of bad work—they fail because of poor cash flow, bad equipment decisions, and overcomplicated growth.

    In this episode, Nate Morello breaks down how he’s built a lean excavation business by focusing on payment schedules, job rhythm, and technology that replaces labor instead of adding overhead. If you’re running municipal, commercial, or excavation work and feel like the business is starting to control you, this episode will hit close to home.

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ Cash flow beats contract size: Nate explains why payment schedules, retainage, and holdbacks matter more than landing “big” municipal jobs.

    ✅ Technology should replace labor, not add stress: Grade control, rotators, and attachments only work if they fit your operation—not because someone else has them.

    ✅ Don’t buy gear for ego: Nate breaks down how screener buckets, rotators, and attachments paid off only because they matched his workflow.

    ✅ Rhythm over perfection: Over-perfecting jobs kills momentum—focus effort where the customer actually sees value.

    ✅ Time is the real cost: Renting, hauling, waiting, and delays quietly eat profit faster than most operators realize.

    Why It Matters:

    If you’re trying to grow without losing control—or wondering why the work feels harder even though you’re “busy”—this episode shows how experienced operators think long-term.

    Links:

    ➡️ Check out Nate Morello’s MC Build Facebook Page:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/mcbuildnh

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. ⁠⁠⁠ https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Richard Piendak: The Exit Strategy Most Contractors Never Prepare For

    Richard Piendak: The Exit Strategy Most Contractors Never Prepare For

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Richard Piendak didn’t just survive five decades in paving—he built, scaled, sold, and then kept working anyway. In this episode, Richard breaks down the hard-earned lessons most contractors only learn the expensive way: when to grow, when to slow down, and why simplicity beats size.

    If you’re trying to build a business that actually lasts—and doesn’t burn you out—this episode will hit home.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ Scale exposes cracks – Growth doesn’t fix problems; it magnifies them. Bad systems and weak leadership show up fast when you add people.

    ✅ Employees make or break the business – Richard explains how treating crews like family (and testing skills, not resumes) built loyalty and consistency.

    ✅ Debt isn’t the enemy—bad decisions are – He shares how avoiding smart debt early slowed growth, and what he’d do differently today.

    ✅ Build to sell, even if you never do – Clean books, solid processes, and real leadership are what made his exit possible.

    ✅ Be a warrior, not a worrier – One mindset shift that carried him through recessions, oil embargoes, and 20% interest rates.

    Why It Matters:

    This episode is a masterclass for excavation, paving, and hardscape owners who want long-term stability—not just more jobs and more headaches.

    Links:

    ➡️ Check out Richard’s Paving Inc Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KingofPaving

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. ⁠⁠⁠https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Caley Stecker: The Quote Is the Quote — Stop Guessing & Start Getting Paid

    Caley Stecker: The Quote Is the Quote — Stop Guessing & Start Getting Paid

    · Skid Steer Nation

    You’ve probably underbid a job, got halfway through, and realized you’re working for free. Caley Stecker from C & C Land Management (Holden, Missouri) lays out exactly how he stopped doing that — and why most contractors stay stuck because they’re scared to price like a real business.

    This episode isn’t a “feel-good” story. It’s a straight-up playbook on pricing, scope control, customer expectations, and running your schedule without chaos owning you.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ If you’re not a little nervous about your price, you’re probably too cheap. Caley explains why contractors leave money on the table trying to “stay competitive.”

    ✅ Hourly work punishes you for getting good. He breaks down why day-rate pricing protects your profit even when you get faster and more efficient.

    ✅ Your quote should include what you won’t do. Caley started adding “not included” items (seed, straw, sod, etc.) after getting burned by customers assuming extras.

    ✅ Add clauses for reality (rock, soil conditions, water table, etc.). He even built a “suitable soil conditions” clause so the job stops until a real conversation happens.

    ✅ Stop calling yourself a “small business.” Caley explains how the words you use shape how customers treat you — and how you treat yourself.
    Why it Matters:

    Because in excavation and land work, profit disappears fast when you guess pricing, stay vague on scope, or let scheduling chaos run your week.

    Links:

    ➡️ Check out and follow C & C Land Maintenance LLC’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086860041430

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. ⁠⁠https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Affordable GPS Machine Control for Contractors? Real Costs, Setup, and What’s Changing in 2026

    Affordable GPS Machine Control for Contractors? Real Costs, Setup, and What’s Changing in 2026

    · Skid Steer Nation

    To kick off 2026, Ryan Deemer shows up in a different way — as the guest on the Blue Collar Business Podcast.

    And they jump right into a question a lot of contractors have been asking for years: is GPS machine control finally affordable… or is it still just for the big outfits?

    They talk real numbers, simple setup, and why this kind of tech can help you move dirt faster, cut down rework, and keep your best guys from wanting to leave.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ The number that got everyone’s attention: GPS machine control for around $13,000 — not $60K+.

    ✅ Most contractors don’t need the “top tier” systems: Ryan says only a small percentage actually need full 3D modeling setups.

    ✅ This tech can help you retain good operators: once a guy gets used to working with tools like this, he doesn’t want to go back to the old way — even for more pay.

    ✅ Fast install + simple use matters more than fancy features: Sy admits he’s usually scared to touch his own equipment screens… but this system felt simple enough to use without stressing about messing it up.

    Why it Matters:

    Because the second GPS becomes affordable and simple for everyday contractors, it changes hiring, production, and how competitive you stay moving forward.

    Links:

    ➡️ Subscribe to the Blue Collar Business Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcast

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠⁠⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. ⁠⁠https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Mike Johnson: The Contractor Mindset Shift That Stops Stress From Following You Home

    Mike Johnson: The Contractor Mindset Shift That Stops Stress From Following You Home

    · Skid Steer Nation

    As we head into a new year, this episode hits on something most contractors feel but rarely say out loud. Mike Johnson runs a snow removal crew, a hardscape operation, and a growing team—but the real shift came when he realized success didn’t matter if he carried stress everywhere he went.

    Mike breaks down how he reclaimed peace, rebuilt trust in his team, and stopped letting work steal from his home life.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ If you can’t shut your brain off at night, you don’t have a work problem—you have a peace problem.

    ✅ Letting go of control isn’t a mindset—it’s a hiring move.

    ✅ One mistake can cost a contract… but how you handle it can win loyalty forever.

    ✅ Social media doesn’t reward perfect… it rewards real.

    ✅ Marketing isn’t about making the phone ring—it’s about who’s calling.

    Why it Matters :

    If you’re stepping into the new year determined to build a better business and a better life, this episode gives you a grounded place to start.

    Links:

    ➡️ Visit & Follow Mike’s Facebook Page (Pro Snow Removal): https://www.facebook.com/GoProSnow

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. ⁠⁠https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Matt Hobbs: The Guy Who Turned Facebook Posts Into Booked-Out Work

    Matt Hobbs: The Guy Who Turned Facebook Posts Into Booked-Out Work

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Matt Hobbs isn’t a marketing guy—he’s a land-clearing operator who figured out how to use Facebook like a weapon. In this episode, he breaks down the real reason his schedule filled up while others are still waiting on calls.

    From posting breakdowns and workouts to building a referral network that includes his competitors, Matt shares how being human—not perfect—is what builds trust that wins jobs.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ Stop hiding behind the equipment – Posting your face and voice is what makes people pick you over the other guy.

    ✅ Marketing doesn’t need to be polished – Just post daily, be honest, and show up. That’s it.

    ✅ Breakdowns make you relatable – Matt books more jobs by being real than by being flawless.

    ✅ Don’t wait to give back – Whether it’s Facebook advice or buying kids' shoes, giving keeps your head right.

    ✅ Build guardrails, not distractions – Matt shares how focusing on one goal helped him stop chasing shiny objects.

    Why It Matters:If you think jobs are won only by price or polish, this episode will show you how real-world trust gets built—and why it matters more than any piece of gear.

    Links:

    ➡️ Visit ARG Outdoor Services’ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094632253362

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. ⁠https://getthrottledup.com/

  • The Unhinged Rancher: Why “Weird” Content Wins (and How to Make It Pay)

    The Unhinged Rancher: Why “Weird” Content Wins (and How to Make It Pay)

    · Skid Steer Nation

    This episode is a break from the usual dirt-business guest… and that’s the point. The Unhinged Rancher runs a ranch with 1,100–1,200 cows and somehow turned yelling at cows, turtles, and skid-steer projects into a real income stream. The best part: he lays out simple content rules that contractors can copy—how to hook people fast, deal with hate comments, and pivot platforms when the algorithm changes.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ Humor is a tool, not a gimmick: he uses it to keep people watching, then keeps them with consistency and real-life work.

    ✅ Balance is a battle: ranch work doesn’t pause for “content day,” so he built a system to film while working—not instead of working.

    ✅ Monetization isn’t magic: the money came after attention—merch, platform payouts, partnerships—built off repeatable posting habits.

    ✅ Your circle matters: he’s intentional about being around people who are doing more, thinking bigger, and pushing forward.
    ✅ Ignore the comment section when a video pops: bigger reach brings more random hate—don’t let people who don’t pay your bills steer the wheel.

    Why it Matters:If you’re an operator or contractor trying to get leads, hires, or attention online, Kyle’s approach shows how to turn everyday work into content that actually moves the needle.

    Links:

    ➡️ Subscribe to The Unhinged Rancher’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheUnhingedRancher

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. https://www.skidsteernation.com

    ⁠➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Mike McQueston: From Busy and Broke to Profitable Excavation Work

    Mike McQueston: From Busy and Broke to Profitable Excavation Work

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Most guys in dirt work hit that point where they’re slammed with jobs, but the bank account doesn’t match the workload. That was Mike McQueston—busy, worn out, and wondering where the money was going. In this episode, he breaks down how tightening up pricing, choosing better jobs, and leaning into landfill mowing turned his excavation business from “just getting by” into a real profit-maker.

    If you’ve ever looked at your books and thought, “Something’s not right here,” this episode is worth your time.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ How Mike used landfill mowing contracts to create steady, repeat work.

    ✅ Simple pricing shifts that stopped him from working long hours for thin margins.

    ✅ Why he now says no to bad-fit jobs—even when the work is there.

    ✅ The mindset shift from “I need more jobs” to “I need the right jobs.”

    ✅ How protecting family time keeps him from letting the business run his life.

    If you’re an excavation or land management contractor who’s constantly busy but not seeing the profit, this episode shows you how to tighten up your business so the numbers finally make sense.

    Links:

    ➡️ Follow Mike and see what he’s building with Muddy Brook Enterprises: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083094322062

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. https://getthrottledup.com/

  • Ryan Deemer: When It’s Time to Redefine What’s Next

    Ryan Deemer: When It’s Time to Redefine What’s Next

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Sometimes the hardest part of running a business isn’t the long hours or tough calls — it’s figuring out what comes next. In this episode, Ryan opens up about his own season of reflection: what it means to step back, redefine the vision, and start building with purpose again. No guest this week — just a raw, real talk between Ryan and you about leadership, growth, and the next evolution of Skid Steer Nation.

    Takeaways:

    ✅ How creating space to think — even just 20 minutes a day — can completely change the direction of your business.

    ✅ The mindset shift from “being the boss” to serving your team and why that’s where real growth happens.

    ✅ Why Ryan is rebranding the Skid Steer Nation Podcast and what his upcoming book Out of the Weeds means for contractors everywhere.

    ✅ A behind-the-scenes look at the new software project, Toolbox, built to help small business owners simplify operations with AI-powered tools.

    ✅ The most powerful lesson Ryan’s learned lately: learning to say no — and how it protects your time, clarity, and vision.

    Why It Matters:Because owning a business isn’t just about grinding — it’s about building something that actually gives you freedom, not another job.

    Links:➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. ⁠https://www.skidsteernation.com⁠

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. ⁠https://www.throttleupmarketing.com

  • Sy Kirby: How Respect and Relationships Built SY-CON Excavation

    Sy Kirby: How Respect and Relationships Built SY-CON Excavation

    · Skid Steer Nation

    When Sy Kirby started SY-CON, he wasn’t chasing fame—he was chasing integrity. In this episode, Sy breaks down how staying true to your word and building respect in the field can open doors that marketing never could.

    From turning wrenches in a mechanic shop to running crews that handle utilities and excavation across Tennessee, his approach to leadership is brutally honest and refreshingly simple: treat people right, do the job right, and the rest follows.

    Takeaways

    ✅ Reputation travels faster than marketing: Sy explains how reliability and relationships have built more business than any ad ever could.

    ✅ From fixing trucks to leading crews: How years as a mechanic shaped his understanding of efficiency and equipment care on job sites.

    ✅ Lessons in scaling smart: Why he keeps his company lean and focused instead of chasing every opportunity that comes along.

    ✅ No shortcuts in leadership: How showing up alongside your crew earns more respect than any title.

    ✅ Balancing work and life: What it really takes to grow a business while keeping your family and sanity intact.

    Why it Matters:This episode hits home for any contractor trying to grow without losing their reputation or control of their business.

    Links:

    ➡️ Visit and Subscribe to Sy Kirby’s YouTube channel⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@Sy-Con

    ➡️ Shop Attachments: Build your business with the right attachments. https://www.skidsteernation.com

    ➡️ Marketing Help: Marketing built for blue-collar contractors. https://www.throttleupmarketing.com

  • Ryan Haar: Why He Still Runs the Skid Steer That Nearly Broke Him

    Ryan Haar: Why He Still Runs the Skid Steer That Nearly Broke Him

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Most guys don’t talk about the bad deals they’ve made. But Ryan Haar does, and his story will sound familiar to anyone who’s bought a “great deal” machine that turned into a money pit. Injectors failed, the drive motor quit, and what should have been a win nearly sank him before he got started.

    But instead of bailing, Ryan stuck with that skid steer, learned the hard lessons, and built Elite Excavation in Olin, Iowa.

    In this episode, Ryan opens up about what that experience taught him about persistence, referrals, and marketing in a crowded market. His journey proves that sometimes the worst machine can teach you the best lessons.

    Takeaways:

    ✅The nightmare skid steer purchase that nearly stopped him—and why he still runs it today

    ✅How one driveway job turned into five more through simple word-of-mouth

    ✅Why old-school flyers plus creative videos helped him stand out in a saturated Iowa market

    ✅His personal motto: “Cost to floss—strap in and hold tight” and what it means for business

    Why it Matters:

    Every contractor knows the sting of bad equipment—but Ryan’s story shows how grit and consistency can turn setbacks into stepping stones.

    Links:

    🔹 Visit Elite Excavation’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555780441041

    🔹 Shop American-Made Attachments: ⁠www.skidsteernation.com

    🔹 Need More Leads for Your Excavation Business? Visit Throttled Up Marketing: ⁠⁠https://www.getthrottledup.com/

  • Brent Boitano: Building a Business by Saying No to the Wrong Work

    Brent Boitano: Building a Business by Saying No to the Wrong Work

    · Skid Steer Nation

    Brent Boitano didn’t scale his excavation business by taking every job that came his way—he grew by getting crystal clear on what he doesn’t do. In this episode, Brent shares the overlooked power of saying “no,” how he built trust in a small-town market, and why focusing on quality over volume has paid off for Boitano Excavation.

    Brent also opens up about what it takes to hire people who show up with the right mindset—and why you shouldn’t expect your employees to care as much as you do. If you're running a growing excavation or land services business, this is a no-BS conversation you’ll want to hear.

    Takeaways:✅Don’t chase every dollar – Brent explains why turning down the wrong jobs has helped him build a more sustainable, high-quality business.

    ✅Be the guy who gets the call back – His strategy is simple: show up on time, do great work, and don’t disappear.

    ✅Hiring mindset over skillset – Brent looks for workers who want to learn and take pride in doing things the right way—even if they’ve never run a machine before.

    ✅Reputation is your best marketing – In a small community, word-of-mouth can make or break your business. Brent shares how to earn trust job after job.

    ✅Let go of the growth-for-growth’s-sake mindset – Brent’s business is profitable and respected because he’s not trying to do it all.
    Why it Matters:If you’re tired of burnout and want to build a business that lasts, Brent’s approach to boundaries, hiring, and quality-first work is a game plan worth hearing.

    Links:

    🔹 Visit Boitano Excavation’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054446142567

    🔹 Shop American-Made Attachments: ⁠https://skidsteernation.com/⁠

    🔹 Need More Leads for Your Excavation Business? Visit Throttled Up Marketing: ⁠https://www.getthrottledup.com/

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