Leighton Howe: Using Paternity Leave to Launch an Excavation Business

What if the key to launching your dream business was buried inside your day job benefits?

In this insightful episode of the Skid Steer Nation Podcast, Ryan Deemer sits down with Leighton Howe of SiteCo Excavation to uncover how he leveraged two full 12-week paternity leaves to secretly build the foundation of a now-thriving excavation business. No fancy launch, no full-time commitment at first—just grit, a used Cat 304, and an “if it works, it works” attitude.

Packed with real-world advice and honest reflections, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how Leighton grew his company from a side hustle to a full-blown operation with employees, equipment, and momentum—all without burning bridges or overspending.

Key Insights:✅ Built on Paternity Leave: Learn how Leighton maximized time off from Cummins to build SiteCo Excavation while still receiving a paycheck.

✅ Systems Before Scaling: Discover the importance of documenting simple daily routines before trying to grow your crew or take on more jobs.

✅ The Power of Saying No: Hear how learning to set boundaries helped Leighton protect his time and sanity as demand grew.

✅ Family-Driven and Cash-Funded: From his brother running backend ops to his retired dad getting a CDL to drive trucks, SiteCo is powered by trust and teamwork—not debt.

Why This Episode Matters:If you’re working a day job but dreaming about launching something of your own, this episode is proof that it’s possible—and smart—to start small and steady. Leighton’s story is for every operator, contractor, or land management pro who’s juggling kids, jobs, and a bigger vision.

🔗 Connect with Success:

👉 Visit SiteCo Excavation’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100029017224834

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

👉 Throttled Up Marketing: Struggling to get your excavation or land service business noticed? With industry-specific expertise, we help businesses like yours build a professional web presence, automate marketing, and generate quality leads. Learn more at ⁠https://www.getthrottledup.com/

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