Skid Steer Nation – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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

She went through a divorce, shut down a business, and started over—seven months pregnant, running a skid steer, and refusing to quit. Stephanie Brooke isn’t just building driveways—she’s rebuilding her life, one load of gravel at a time.

In this real-as-it-gets episode of the Skid Steer Nation Podcast, I sit down with Stephanie and her dad Richard—the team behind Precision Gravel and Earth Solutions. We talk about the hard lessons that come from business breakups, starting from scratch, and what it takes to grow a company that actually fits the life you want. If you’ve ever thought about throwing in the towel, this one will hit home.

Key Insights:

✅ Start Smart, Even When It’s Hard: Stephanie’s first business didn’t have a solid foundation—but her second one does. Learn how she approached Precision Gravel differently from day one.

✅ The Power of Business Agreements: Stephanie learned the hard way that even if you trust your business partner, you still need a clear, written agreement—especially if that partner is your spouse.

✅ Marketing with Vulnerability: From DirectTV sales to building a local brand, Stephanie shares how being authentic and showing your face online wins more trust (and work) than just polished photos.

✅ Bouncing Back with Clarity: After a painful business dissolution, Stephanie partnered with her retired father to launch a more focused, niche excavation business—with the aim of building not just driveways, but long-term client relationships.

Why This Episode Matters:

This episode is essential for professionals in the excavation and land services industry who are navigating challenges—whether relational, financial, or operational.

Stephanie’s journey demonstrates that clarity, structure, and authenticity are more valuable than perfection. If you’ve ever wondered how to come back from a setback stronger, this episode is your blueprint.

🔗 Connect with Success:

👉 Visit Precision Gravel and Earth Solutions’ website: https://www.precisiongravelandearth.com/

👉 Skid Steer Nation: Your go-to destination for American-made skid steer attachments: https://skidsteernation.com/

👉 Throttled Up Marketing: Build your excavation brand, automate your outreach, and generate leads: https://www.getthrottledup.com/

Join us next week as we bring you more stories from professionals shaping the excavation industry!

“It will never be the right time if you wait until it is the right time to make the full time jump”.

Our guest for today’s episode is Ryan Moranz, a successful professional who made well into the 6 figures for the last 8 years in the automotive industry. However, when he lost his job last month for no real reason, he decided to take a leap of faith and started his own land service business.

Despite the fear and uncertainty that came with leaving a successful career in the car business, Ryan lifted his head up and took only 4 hours off before starting his LLC the next day. His drive to succeed and commitment to detail and 100% customer satisfaction has led to approximately $50,000 in contracted revenue within just a few short weeks!

In this episode, Ryan shares his inspiring journey of taking control of his own destiny, and the challenges and triumphs he faced while building a successful business from scratch. Tune in to hear how Ryan turned a setback into an opportunity for growth and success.

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Visit We Diggin It Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090317598067

Looking to take your business to the next level?  See how we can help: https://www.groundbreakinggrowth.com/

Need quality American Made Attachments for your skid steer? Visit: https://www.skidsteernation.com/

Get ready to be blown away by the story of Reese, the young entrepreneur who started with a simple lawn mowing business at just 15 years old and has now landed six to seven-figure contracts in the excavation industry. 

It's hard to believe that someone so young has accomplished so much, but Reese is living proof that age is just a number when it comes to success.

Despite being only 22 years old, Reese's excavation business is thriving, and he is winning contracts for jobs worth six to seven figures. Having started with a lawn mowing venture at the age of 15, Reese has accomplished an extraordinary level of success in just seven years, which many entrepreneurs aspire to achieve. Reese generously shares his knowledge, offering practical advice and techniques that you can utilize to advance your own business.

In this podcast, you'll discover the secrets of Reese's success and gain insights into the key differences between marketing to residential and commercial clients. 

You'll be amazed at the practical advice and techniques that Reese generously shares, giving you the tools you need to take your own business to the next level. 

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the youngest and most successful entrepreneurs in the industry!

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Join Reese’s Private Facebook Group for like minded excavation entrepreneurs:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1656203401444155

Looking to take your business to the next level?  See how we can help:

https://www.groundbreakinggrowth.com/

Need quality American Made Attachments for your skid steer? Visit:

https://www.skidsteernation.com/

Get ready to dive into an inspiring and uplifting episode as we uncover the story behind Mason Rickner's meteoric rise in the excavation and septic industry! This exhilarating conversation with the owner of K & M Excavating and Septic will leave you feeling energized and motivated to conquer your own challenges.

Join us as Mason shares his journey from a struggling start-up to the go-to septic system company in his area, installing 10-20 septic tanks per month. Discover how he turned initial hardships into opportunities for growth, and how his unique upsell formula adds an impressive 10-20% revenue to his thriving business.

We'll dig deep into the secrets of Mason's success, exploring the systems and processes he's implemented to streamline operations, maximize efficiency, and scale the business. You'll walk away with invaluable insights, tips, and advice on creating your own winning strategy, whether you're in the excavation sector or any other industry.

Don't miss this captivating episode that combines perseverance, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit to unearth the formula for success in the excavation and septic world. Tune in now and get ready to be inspired!
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Visit K&M Excavation and Septic website:

https://www.kmexcavationandseptic.com/

-Need American-made Quality Skid Steer attachments? Visit Skid Steer Nation at:
https://www.skidsteernation.com/

Increase your earning potential and stand out in a crowded market by focusing on a specific niche can be the key to success.

Our guest for today's episode is Philip Egnatz, owner of Southlake Land Management based in Lowell, IN. He’s a full time union heavy equipment operator before starting his own company as a side hustle back in 2019.

In this episode, Philip talks about his motivation in putting up his own business, the equipment he used to run when he started and the challenges he faced along the way. He also shares some valuable insights on providing value to the customers by going above and beyond their expectations.

He also shares a setback he experienced that somehow is affecting his business from growing. He emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for the job and meeting the high standards he sets for himself.

Listen until the end as Ryan will also share some tips on how to effectively market yourself to help your side hustle turn into a full time gig.
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-Need American-made Quality Skid Steer attachments? Visit Skid Steer Nation at:

https://www.skidsteernation.com/

Tom Gardocki, known as The Dirt Ninja on his YouTube Channel (76,000 subscribers), has made a name for himself in the excavation industry. His educational content has not only won him more contracts but also partnered him with large brands in the industry.

As Tom says, "It only takes one video for you to get noticed!"

Sitting in his fathers lap operating heavy equipment at just 4 years old, Tom's experience and knowledge in the trades are unmatched. By the age of 10, he could confidently run heavy equipment independently on job sites, a remarkable achievement that demonstrates his dedication and aptitude.

In this episode, Tom shares his journey from posting videos on social media to gaining a global following. He also talks about his decision to start his own business after working for his parents, the struggles he faced while bidding on commercial projects, and how technology has enabled him to take on more projects than companies twice his size.

Tune in to hear from The Dirt Ninja himself!

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-Visit The Dirt Ninja website:

https://thedirtninja.com/

-Need American-made Quality Skid Steer attachments? Visit Skid Steer Nation at:

https://www.skidsteernation.com/

Our guest for this episode is CameRon Hogate, owner of Gravel Boss. His business specializes in gravel delivery, trucking and snow removal located in Palmer, AK.

Listen as CameRon and Ryan discuss key factors that contribute to building a successful business and the importance of having a correct framework to help achieve that goal.

They’ll also talk about some tips when hiring and retaining employees in the company. How to give each employee their purpose that’s in line with your company’s mission and vision.

This episode will also cover useful tactics for effective social media marketing.  What are some of the best practices for creating a strong social media presence, including defining your target audience, crafting compelling content, and utilizing analytics to measure success.

Stay tuned until the end as CameRon also shares his most unforgettable experience at a job site which you’d definitely not get to see(hopefully) everyday!

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-Visit Gravel Boss website:
https://ordergravelonline.com/

-Need of American-made Quality Skid Steer attachments? Visit Skid Steer Nation at:
https://www.skidsteernation.com/

How do you turn your ideas into reality and eventually achieve them before 30?

Our guest today is Dale Sievert. He currently works full time as a mechanical engineer in one of the world's largest automotive wire harness suppliers while managing his own land clearing business in Saline, Michigan.

In this episode, Dale shares his experiences and how growing up on the farm helped him develop his passion and start a business while working a full time job at a young age.

-Visit Dale Sievert's website for Quote Requests near Saline, MI:

https://dslandworkforestry.com/?fbclid=IwAR3kHZ3OqNcXDdzKjKdZeeLZK6ZqOqFPjzIFMymPOz2hUp2cdsln3N59v9A

-Need of American-made Quality Skid Steer attachments? Visit Skid Steer Nation at: https://www.skidsteernation.com/