Andrew Michael: The Power of Staying Small and Thinking Deep

Andrew Michael: The Power of Staying Small and Thinking Deep

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/

Avsnitt(128)

Christian Lefley: 77th of 77 — Now Running the Same School’s Contracts

Christian Lefley: 77th of 77 — Now Running the Same School’s Contracts

Try TULBOXX Free — AI estimating & invoicing for contractors. First 5 estimates free, no credit card: www.tulboxx.comGraduated dead last…Now he’s paid by the same school…And built a business off word ...

22 Apr 1h 24min

Nicholas White: He Could've Started at 16. He Waited Until 40

Nicholas White: He Could've Started at 16. He Waited Until 40

Try TULBOXX Free — AI estimating & invoicing for contractors. First 5 estimates free, no credit card: www.tulboxx.comNicholas White grew up around excavation.His father has been in the dirt business h...

8 Apr 1h 11min

Daniel Snell: The $4,000 Mistake That Taught Him How Commercial Work Really Works

Daniel Snell: The $4,000 Mistake That Taught Him How Commercial Work Really Works

He lost $4K over one line of missing wording. Not bad work. Not bad equipment. Just one mistake in a contract.Daniel jumped into excavation young with “$10K and a dream”… but commercial work hit him h...

1 Apr 1h 1min

Cody Cocas: Why “Nice Customers” Almost Cost Him His Business

Cody Cocas: Why “Nice Customers” Almost Cost Him His Business

He was mowing customers’ lawns… after finishing their job.Not charging for extras… because he liked them.That mindset almost killed his margins—until he flipped to utilities.Cody Cocas went from small...

25 Mars 1h 22min

John Seaman: The Day He Fired His Entire Crew (And Rebuilt a Stronger Company)

John Seaman: The Day He Fired His Entire Crew (And Rebuilt a Stronger Company)

Most contractors complain about employees.John Seaman fired his entire crew in one day.What he built after that changed how his excavation company runs forever.Running excavation crews in the mountain...

4 Mars 1h 5min

Jack Eso: The $4M Move Most Contractors Are Afraid to Make

Jack Eso: The $4M Move Most Contractors Are Afraid to Make

He went from renting a skid steer on weekends to landing $4 million in work in 60 days.But the real shift wasn’t equipment — it was systems.And the biggest lesson? Stop racing to the bottom on price.J...

25 Feb 1h 3min

Jeremy Whitson: Why Too Much Work Nearly Broke His Excavation Business

Jeremy Whitson: Why Too Much Work Nearly Broke His Excavation Business

He walked away from a VP position with 208 employees.Bought one excavator. No real plan.Then learned the hard way that “booked out” doesn’t mean profitable.Jeremy Whitson left a 21-year career in the ...

18 Feb 1h 36min

Sheldon Gould: What 25+ Years in a Small-Market Contracting Business Really Teaches You

Sheldon Gould: What 25+ Years in a Small-Market Contracting Business Really Teaches You

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 ...

4 Feb 59min

Populärt inom Business & ekonomi

framgangspodden
varvet
rss-jossan-nina
rss-svart-marknad
rss-borsens-finest
badfluence
avanzapodden
uppgang-och-fall
svd-tech-brief
bathina-en-podcast
fill-or-kill
lastbilspodden
rss-dagen-med-di
rss-kort-lang-analyspodden-fran-di
tabberaset
rss-inga-dumma-fragor-om-pengar
24fragor
kapitalet-en-podd-om-ekonomi
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
borsmorgon