Skid Steer Nation

Ryan Deemer
  • 4.9 (43)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join the Skid Steer Nation podcast to discover how excavation and land service business owners are finding innovative solutions to grow their businesses. Our in-depth interviews provide valuable tips on everything from customer acquisition, sales and marketing, to employee recruitment and management, all while being entertained by our dynamic host. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to take your business to the next level!

  1. 4D AGO

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

    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/

    1h 16m

  2. JAN 8

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

    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/

    1h 27m

  3. 12/31/2025

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

    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/

    1h 7m

  4. 12/17/2025

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

    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/

    1h 2m

  5. 12/03/2025

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

    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/

    56 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    Mike McQueston: From Busy and Broke to Profitable Excavation Work

    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/

    1h 16m

  7. 11/05/2025

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

    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

    25 min

  8. 10/29/2025

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

    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

    1h 35m
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4.9
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Join the Skid Steer Nation podcast to discover how excavation and land service business owners are finding innovative solutions to grow their businesses. Our in-depth interviews provide valuable tips on everything from customer acquisition, sales and marketing, to employee recruitment and management, all while being entertained by our dynamic host. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to take your business to the next level!

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Deemer
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ryan Deemer
  • Show Website
    Skid Steer Nation

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