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/