Couples Who Dig Together - Meet The Power Couple Behind 641 Excavating

Boots on the Ground: Meet Jon & Morgan VanZee

We're Jon and Morgan VanZee, proud owners of 641 Excavating in Pella, Iowa.

Our business focuses on excavation, land clearing, and land management. Jon’s been in excavation for 9 years — though if we’re being real, it started even earlier with Tonka trucks and backyard adventures. Morgan joined the industry a few years back, but let’s be clear: blue collar chose her and she's excited it did.

Jon got his start working for a neighbor when he was young, and his knowledge and passion were the sparks that lit a fire in both of us. It didn’t take long before Morgan wanted to learn not just about land work, but about the blue collar community itself — the grit, the culture, the pride that comes with it.

Learning Leading & Legacy

Working together in a blue collar business definitely comes with its challenges — but it also comes with passion & purpose.

Jon’s the growth-driven operator with a sharp business mind. Morgan? Her favorite tool is a shovel. She’s also the engine behind 641 brand awareness and the glue that keeps home life running smoothly, making sure their crew of kids are where they need to be, when they need to be there.

Our strengths balance each other. Jon leads with technical knowledge, passion, and strategy. Morgan leads with heart, hustle, and vision. Together, we’re showing our kids what it looks like to build something from literally nothing.

And while growing a successful excavating business hasn't come without bumps — or as we like to call them, “learning opportunities” — we’ve learned to navigate the hardest one: knowing when to sacrifice for business, and when to pause for family.

One consistent challenge we face, being a couple in business with young kiddos is this. When to sacrifice family time for business, and when to sacrifice business time for family.  Thankfully, sometimes we are able to load up the kids, which means we don't have to sacrifice business or family time. We get the best of both worlds.

Grace Under Pressure

“As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I’ve had to work through being more than just ‘the owner’s wife.’ I know there are barriers, but truthfully — I’m still learning. I’ve never let being a woman keep me from showing up and doing the work. I haven't personally felt too out of place anywhere yet due to being a female. I’ve felt underestimated, sure — but so has Jon. Sometimes, we feel it at the same time. And honestly? That makes us stronger. 

It's one thing to feel criticism, doubts, and people under estimating you as a business owner, but it feels different when it's your spouse that is often feeling the same way at the same time.  We are very supportive of each other, and can give each other good advice, so I feel that helps us be stronger as a team. #fueledbythehaters

A Typical Day In The Dirt Life

A typical day? Not sure that exists for us. Is that a real thing?!?! 

We show up. We do what needs to be done on that specific job site on that specific day. Then we go home and make dinner with our kids. Some days we dig. Some days we clear land. Some days we grind sun up to well after the sun goes down. But every day — we’ve got each other’s back.

Building More Than Jobsites

Being a blue collar couple means knowing every day isn’t 50/50. Sometimes one of us has to carry more. Sometimes one of us needs rest while the other gets it done. But we always show up for each other.

We feel most powerful driving through town, pointing out sites we’ve worked on, showing our kids real evidence of what we’re building — not just with machines, but with grit, grace, and love.

Our logo symbolizes more than a business — it’s who we are as a team.

We’re inspired by other blue collar couples who don’t pretend every day is perfect — they show up, stick together, and keep pushing forward. That’s the kind of legacy we’re building. That’s the kind of story we’re writing at 641.

Grit Meets Grace in Action

To us, being a power couple doesn’t mean perfection — it means loyalty. It means rolling up your sleeves and knowing someone’s got your six, every single day. Whether it's shovels or invoices, tantrums or trailers, we’re in it — side by side.

And when the dirt settles, our kids won’t just inherit a business — they’ll inherit a legacy built by both of us with sweat, hard work, dirty boots, and passion.

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