Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Ferguson.
Hi Brandy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Brian’s story starts in the dirt, literally. He grew up tending the land and learning the value of hard work, patience, and care for the world around him. That early respect for the land shaped who he is: someone who believes in building things that last and leaving things better than he found them. That stewardship of the natural world has guided him throughout his career and continues to shape how he does business today.
More than 20 years ago, Brian Nail founded Nail Excavating with one backhoe and a swimming pool job. Before long, his team was working jobs across the country, doing above- and below-ground land improvement projects for companies like Roeslein & Associates, Magellan, and Smithfield Foods. Much of that work supports renewable energy and agricultural infrastructure projects, a mission that fits naturally with Brian’s respect for the land and focus on long-term sustainability.
What sets Nail Excavating apart isn’t just skill; it is service. Brian built his business on showing up, following through, and treating every customer like family. When others ask “why,” he asks “why not?” If he promised a customer something, he’d make it happen, even if it meant working through the night. That mix of grit, optimism, and accountability became the foundation for everything that followed.
That same commitment to hands-on work and community involvement inspired Brian to sponsor Build My Future, a statewide event introducing Missouri students to careers in construction and the trades. His team brings real excavating equipment to the event, giving students the chance to climb in, operate machinery, and complete interactive challenges. For Brian, it is an opportunity to show young people the pride that comes with hard work, craftsmanship, and giving back to the community.
As Nail Excavating grew, Brian founded NL Holdings LLC, initially managing local long-term rentals and real estate. Those investments remain part of the company today, including several residential and commercial rental properties. The rental car business came later, adding another layer of convenience for the community and travelers passing through Bethany. This framework allowed Brian to organize his growing ventures and think strategically about supporting the community through business.
To enhance hospitality options in Bethany, Brian built The VeNue Event Space and Hidden Acres Cabin Rentals. The VeNue is a 10,000 sq. ft. event center with on-site lodging, hosting weddings, reunions, and celebrations of all kinds. Its location just off the interstate makes it accessible to visitors from across the region while still preserving the small-town charm and scenic rolling hills that give the space its character. Hidden Acres Cabin Rentals sits on the grounds of what used to be The Hub Golf Course, providing peaceful lodging for The VeNue guests as well as travelers passing through the area. Together, the event center and cabins create a welcoming space for people to gather, celebrate, and enjoy all that Bethany and the surrounding area have to offer.
Bethany Fuel Depot joined the NL Holdings family in 2023, bringing new life to a longtime full-service gas station and mechanic shop with a complete renovation blending old-fashioned charm with modern convenience. From the start, Brian’s goal was to create a place that felt familiar—a warm, welcoming stop where neighbors still wave from the pumps and conversations happen face-to-face. That full-service approach struck a chord with the older generation, who remember when that kind of care was the standard, not the exception. Inside, the nostalgic General Store leans into the good ol’ days with glass-bottle sodas, classic snacks, shelled peanuts, and locally made goods. Every detail supports the local community and its craftsmanship, creating a space that feels as genuine as the small-town hospitality it was built on.
When a well-established furniture store was looking for someone to take the reins after 20 years, Brian couldn’t stand to see such a community staple disappear. He acquired it, ensuring it would continue to serve local families, and O’Neil’s Home Furnishings and Floor Coverings became part of the NL Holdings family. O’Neil’s continues to provide good old-fashioned customer service, including free delivery, setup, and haul-away, making it easy for families across the community to enjoy quality furniture with convenience and care.
Through all these ventures, Brian has followed the same guiding principle: seeing a need and finding a way to meet it. He doesn’t think of himself as a developer or a corporate owner. He’s a neighbor who believes in respect, keeping your word, and building things that truly serve the community he cares about.
Contact information:
NL Holdings
www.nlholdingscompany.com
https://www.facebook.com/NLHoldings
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nl-holdings-llc
The VeNue Event Space
https://thevenueeventspace.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheVeNueEventSpace
https://www.instagram.com/thevenueeventspace
Bethany Fuel Depot
www.bethanyfueldepot.com
https://www.facebook.com/BethanyFuelDepot
Hidden Acres Cabins
www.hiddenacrescabinrentals.com
https://www.facebook.com/hiddenacrescabinrentals
https://www.instagram.com/hidden.acres.cabins
O’Neil’s Home Furnishings and Floor Coverings
https://www.oneilshomefurnishings.com
https://www.facebook.com/oneilshomefurnishings
https://www.instagram.com/oneilshomefurnishings
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most worthwhile things, it hasn’t always been smooth. The kind of work Nail Excavating does depends heavily on weather, timing, and coordination, all of which can shift overnight. There have been years when rain delayed projects for days or when site conditions required quick adjustments to keep work on track. But Brian’s mindset has always been to figure it out and keep going.
One of his biggest challenges has been balancing growth with maintaining the same level of quality and personal service he is known for. As the company expanded, he made a point to surround himself with people who share his values, care deeply about the work, and treat customers like family.
He’ll be the first to tell you that some of the toughest days built the strongest foundation. Each obstacle became an opportunity to adapt, learn, and improve. That resilience and the belief that no job is too big or too small to do right are what continue to drive him and his team today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Brian and his team specialize in providing exceptional service and high-quality results across all of NL Holdings’ ventures. Cleanliness is a hallmark of everything Brian does—from meticulously organized worksites and equipment at Nail Excavating to the spotless facilities at Bethany Fuel Depot, including its famously well-kept restrooms. This commitment to order, care, and respect for customers’ experiences is something Brian is particularly proud of and defines the culture across all his businesses.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson Brian has learned is that the foundation of any lasting business is how you treat the people around you—employees, customers, and the community. He believes that showing up, keeping your word, and caring about the impact of your work creates trust, loyalty, and opportunities for growth. Success isn’t just about projects completed or businesses built; it’s about building lasting relationships and doing the work the right way.
Pricing:
- Hidden Acres Cabin rentals starting at $140/night
- The VeNue Event Space pricing: https://thevenueeventspace.com/pricing
- NL Holdings Rental Car pricing starting at $69 per day–unlimited mileage
- O’Neil’s Home Furnishings & Floor Coverings: Priceless
Contact Info:
- Website: This information is at the end of Question #1
Image Credits
Dylan Heitz and Brandy Ferguson
