Advertise on podcast: 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/

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 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/

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/

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/

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 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/

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/

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/

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

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

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 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/

When Andrew Michael left his job as a diesel tech during the chaos of COVID, he didn’t chase scale—he chased control, family, and purpose. What started as renting equipment and testing the waters led to buying his first skid steer and embracing a solo operator model. But what really makes this episode stand out? Andrew’s mindset. This isn't just about clearing land—it’s about clearing mental clutter, owning your story, and showing up for your family and clients in a way most business owners never figure out. If you’ve ever battled imposter syndrome, wrestled with niching down, or wondered if staying small is actually smart, Andrew’s story hits hard. Takeaways: ✅Renting vs. Owning: Andrew rented equipment for three years before finally buying his own skid steer—and the confidence that came with it was the real game changer.✅Niching Is a Strength: Early on, he tried to do “anything brown or green,” but narrowing his focus helped build a reputation and reduce burnout.✅Mindset over Machines: Success in this business isn’t about horsepower—it’s about what’s happening between your ears.✅Solo by Design: Andrew doesn’t want 30 employees or a fleet—he wants to be known as a specialist, and it’s working.✅Pressure Creates Performance: From family life to business decisions, Andrew uses pressure to fuel growth, not fear.Why it MattersThis episode hits home for blue-collar business owners trying to balance growth, purpose, and peace of mind—without selling their soul or sacrificing their family. Links: 🔹 Visit Michael Way Acre’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/michaelwayacres🔹 Shop American-Made Attachments: https://skidsteernation.com/ 🔹 Need More Leads for Your Excavation Business? Visit Throttled Up Marketing: https://www.getthrottledup.com/

Joe Borowski didn’t plan to become a concrete contractor—but the market had other ideas. In this episode, Ryan Deemer sits down with the owner of Hawthorne Excavating to talk about how pouring a single hot tub pad turned into 90% of his workload. Joe shares what it’s like managing growth, staying hands-on, and slowly building a real business—not just a job. He also gets real about what it takes to keep standards high without burning out, how he’s setting up two crews for future expansion, and why communication matters more than fancy equipment. Takeaways: ✅ Joe got his start as a union operator at 18—but bought his first excavator instead of a new truck. ✅ Concrete wasn’t the plan, but customer demand made it impossible to ignore. Now it drives most of his revenue. ✅ He’s learned more from redoing jobs the right way than from the ones that go perfectly. ✅ Joe is shifting from operator to leader, learning how to train, trust, and let others figure it out. ✅ He's realizing time—not money—is the most valuable asset in business, and he's starting to build processes to reclaim it.Why It Matters: If you’re in excavation or hardscaping, learning to offer concrete—or partner with someone who does—can unlock bigger, better-paying jobs and more referrals. Links: 🔹 Visit Hawthorne Excavating LLCs’ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HawthorneEx 🔹 Shop American-Made Attachments: https://skidsteernation.com/ 🔹 Need More Leads for Your Excavation Business? Visit Throttled Up Marketing: https://www.getthrottledup.com/