Hidden Gems: Meet Kyle Riegle of Avery Excavating

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Riegle.  

Kyle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Always loved tonka toys as a kid. 

I actually dug a pool (small but it was a pool) in my sandbox behind our garage when I was a kid. 

I always wanted to run heavy equipment, and I always have enjoyed anything with an engine since I can remember. 

I worked for a few different companies in my 20s, spent a lot of time in the gym and yoga as well. Had some customer service/sales-oriented jobs during the winter months. 

We had a big storm here in 2015. An area of a dozen or so houses had really gotten hit hard. I stopped by with my friend (who now works for me) just to take a look. A sweet older lady owned one of the worst-hit homes and asked if I was there to give her a quote… I said sure! I’ll be back in touch in a day, I told her. 

My buddy Drew asked how the heck was I going to do that by myself… I didn’t really know at the moment but had a plan a few hours later and started a few days later. I ended up working in that small area for almost the rest of the year. 

Hired my first employee the following year and really have kept going since then. 

Now we are a team of 9, including two part-time office staff, and have developed the beginning of a “Brand” and a good name throughout our community. 

I started with bad credit. Maybe a few hundred dollars in my bank account, and had never operated a business before. I had some high-interest payments at the beginning but have made it through. 

If I were to sum up some things that have helped me get here: 

1. Simply just show up and do the work you said you would do.

2. Start early.

3. Hire the best people you can.

4. Hire based on character. Train the skill

5. Pay an additional 10-15% on your principle on loans. It will dramatically decrease the overall interest rate and length of loan.

6. Hire a good accountant before you think you need one.

7. Get bulk fuel at your home base before you think you need to.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not. 

I think it was year 3. I bought my first dump truck and had my main guy who was on his 2nd year he had his learners permit for his cdl a. 

I had to drive the old (but decent) truck all summer long until he got his license. It was brutal. No Ac. Hot. Always trying to manage the phone and business was extremely difficult. 

– I’ve not yet had to take a line of credit. I was close this year due to a delay in draw from a builder, we put a lot out this spring to start a larger project…It was tight, very tight. Then the bank decided to hold the check for 2 weeks once I got it… It was frustrating. 

– buy the nicest equipment you can. Even if it takes longer to get/order that’s ok. Get exactly what you want. Go with the bodybuilders/equipment dealers that have a proven track record. Going through an unfortunate situation right now with one of our main pieces of equipment that has been a huge learning experience. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Avery Excavating. We specialize in residential excavation services and primarily work for builders of fine custom homes. We do a lot of different projects for homeowners as well. Septic systems, driveways, lot/land clearing. Drainage, final grading, trucking… all kinds of stuff. 

We offer topsoil and multiple different types of gravel and aggregates. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like the community of people the most. 

The cold winters. 

Contact Info:

• Website: averyexcavating.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avery_excavating/?hl=en

Image Credits
WeberPhotography