Hello and welcome to Heavy-Duty Ownership — the only newsletter built to solve the two problems every heavy-duty owner faces: cash flow swings and lack of business expertise. You’re an expert mechanic, but no one ever taught you business, finance, marketing, or how to lead like a world-class CEO.
Most owners don’t struggle because of a lack of effort. They struggle because they are trapped in the weeds without clean numbers, tight processes, or a strategic plan to grow. That ends here.
As a formal introduction, my name is Mark Deemer. I’m the founder/ceo of Modern Ownership - the platform behind Heavy-Duty Ownership and Heavy-Duty OS™️. Before this, I ran the repair shop for one of the largest scrap-metal fleets on the East Coast(Upstate Shredding), overseeing techs, service orders, parts, and the daily chaos that comes with it. I then raised $2M to turn around a near-bankrupt company, rebuilding its team, systems, and operations. I may not wrench — but I’ve mastered the fundamentals that fix messy situations, restore positive cash flow, and turn fledging shops into great businesses that have exit potential and next-generation legacy.
Here’s what you can expect from this newsletter:
1. Clear, objective insights
How to read your numbers, spot cash leaks, and stabilize free cash flow so you’re not white-knuckling payroll or waiting on AR to clear.
2. Proven operating systems
Tighter business workflows, cleaner handoffs, and a shop that runs the same way even when you’re not on the floor.
3. Tools to operate like a CEO
Budgeting, forecasting, planning, leadership, bank/exit-ready financials, and the discipline required to build a business that’s predictable, profitable, and worth owning.
Why Heavy-Duty Ownership?
Your social feed is flooded with free advice, communities, courses, coaching programs, and consulting offers. But I don’t see any resources specifically built for heavy-duty shop owners - the guys (and gals) fixing semi’s, wrestling with Fullbay, or trying to keep their Quickbooks updated.
I also think most online courses don’t work for heavy-duty owners. None of the owners I talk to have time to watch a bunch of videos about marketing, accounting, and leadership when they’re on the job site all day (and night).
Running a heavy-duty shop is one of the toughest ways to be an owner in the U.S.. My commitment to you is that I’ll work my tail off to make your job a whole lot easier.
You’ll get the systems, the benchmarks, and the thinking patterns that help heavy-duty owners create more cash, more control, and more structured time—without the burnout and bankruptcies.
I’m glad you’re here.
-Mark
P.S. if you have questions, comments, or feedback, reply to this email.