The Pagel Uncensored Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Darren Peters, owner of Peters’ Patio & Landscape in SE Minnesota. With 22 years in the landscape industry and 15 years running his own company, Darren has seen it all — from employee frustrations to equipment mishaps (yes, even pallet forks getting destroyed). What makes Darren stand out? Even after 15 years of ownership, he’s still out in the field, working side by side with his crew. We dive...

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Bauer, the man behind Paragon Excavation and Land Clearing—a one-man band who runs his business exactly the way he wants to. An OG fan since the early days, Nick shares how he walked away from seven years as a diesel mechanic, hopped in a skid steer, and built his own excavation and land clearing company with no regrets. We cover it all: * Running a business completely solo (and why he refuses...

In this episode of Pagel Uncensored, we sit down with Dalton Campbell — an OG fan, community supporter, and hardworking entrepreneur who runs two businesses: ✅ Buzz Lawn Care & Snow Removal – keeping properties clean and clear year-round. ✅ Buzz Impressions – a warehouse and printing company serving local businesses. Dalton shares his journey of growing both companies, what it’s like balancing family life with two hustles, and ...

In today’s episode, Rich Hume, owner of NE Acreage Group INC. in Leominster, MA, shares some of the wildest stories we’ve ever heard from a business owner. Rich built his commercial maintenance and parking lot sweeping company from the ground up, but the road hasn’t been easy — or ordinary. Along the way, he’s faced situations most entrepreneurs could never imagine, including: * A stolen car smashing head-on into one of his sweeper...

Meet Dan Mason, a man who was born with a rare condition called prune belly syndrome — a disorder that affects the abdominal muscles and urinary system, often making everyday life a struggle from the start. But Dan’s story isn’t about what he can’t do — it’s about what he’s built in spite of it. From running his own small engine repair business to working hard for a landscape company, Dan proves that grit, determination, and a blue...

On this episode of Pagel Uncensored, we sit down with a man who quite literally sleeps, eats, and breathes fencing. With a family-owned business spanning 40 years — and he’s only 36 himself — fencing isn’t just a job, it’s an obsession. From building posts to building a legacy, he shares what it’s like to grow up in the fence world, the challenges and triumphs of running a family trade business, and why fences are more than just wo...

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Bazor, owner and operator of Bazor Sons Concrete out of Renton, Washington. Steve shares how he built his concrete business, why “Concrete = Big Business”, and how his company stands out by offering an unmatched 10-year warranty on all their work. We also talk about his journey from being the winner of Giveaway #12 to hauling home a brand-new Lamar dump trailer — and how that helped fuel his ...

In Episode 207, Pink Salt Started It All…, we sit down with Gary Gomoll, the owner of Winnebago Lawn & Snow out of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Gary’s entrepreneurial journey began in the most unexpected way — selling pink salt out of his garage. Today, his business has grown to include two thriving locations, serving the community with top-notch lawn and snow services. We dive into his start-up story, the challenges and wins along the ...

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Clayton Rajek, owner of Elite Hardscapes LLC out of Cadet, Wisconsin, for a candid conversation about what it really means to take control of your future. Clayton shares how leaving behind the hotel stays and duffle-bag lifestyle led him to build a business not just for himself—but for his family. Tired of seeing the same faces every day and fed up with working under someone else’s r...

In this raw and revealing episode, we sit down with Nicolas Reetz, founder of All Seasons Services based in Clinton Township, Michigan. Nicolas opens up about the struggles, setbacks, and pivotal moments that shaped his path from hitting rock bottom to building a respected business empire in the landscaping and snow removal industry. With unfiltered honesty, he shares what it took to rebuild his life, create opportunity from advers...

In this episode, we sit down with the unstoppable Jeni Oyen-Reed, a dynamic entrepreneur who wears multiple hats with ease. Based in Lancaster, Wisconsin, Jeni is not only the owner of Alternative Recycling, a local business redefining how rural communities handle waste and sustainability, but she also thrives as a real estate agent, helping clients navigate the housing market with insight and care. We dive deep into how Jeni balan...

In this episode, we sit down with Dakota Stramka, the owner-operator of Riverview Property Management out of Illinois. Dakota shares how he went from working long hours as an employee to running his own successful property management and landscaping business.

We dive into:

* His early days in the industry

* What pushed him to make the leap to ownership

* The challenges no one talks about when starting out

* How he built a crew he c...

In this episode, we sit down with Zach Texley, owner of S&T Companies, a garbage collection service based in Ramsey, Minnesota. Zach lives a life most people don’t even think is possible—no wife, no kids, and a schedule filled with freedom. We talk about everything—from life philosophy and personal freedom to the ins and outs of running a business in a gritty, blue-collar industry. Whether you're into entrepreneurship, alternat...

In this first episode of Pagel Uncensored, we sit down with Ryan Rands, owner of Midwest Builders in Southwest Wisconsin — and one of my closest friends. Ryan shares what it’s really like running a blue-collar construction business, the lessons he’s learned as a small business owner, and how work and life come together in the trades.

We talk about the challenges of being an entrepreneur in today’s world, the pride of building somet...