American Operator
See America’s small businesses the way they were meant to be seen — up close, on the ground, and through the eyes of the people who run them. American Operator documents the real stories of Main Street: • We visit small businesses across the country. • We highlight operators keeping their towns alive. • We show what ownership actually looks like. • And we expose the hidden cost of private equity roll-ups hollowing out local communities. From family-owned shops to essential service businesses, from thriving main streets to towns devastated by outside ownership, we’re capturing the reality of American small business at a turning point. Our mission is simple: keep America locally owned & operated by shining a light on the businesses, operators, and communities worth fighting for. Subscribe and join the movement to rebuild, revive, and protect America’s small business backbone. This is American Operator Pod: @AmericanOperatorPodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/theamericanoperator
Episodes
Most people don't realize how difficult it is to become a licensed electrician.
After more than 20 years in the electrical trades, Emily Escobar has seen firsthand why so many talented people struggle to advance. A master electrician, educator, doctoral researcher, and founder of Electra, Emily is on a mission to help the next generation succeed in one of America's most important industries.
In this episode of American Operator, JC s...
What happens when the people who cared for us become dependent on someone else for care?
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, JC sits down with senior living expert James Lee, a 20-year veteran of the industry who has spent his career helping families navigate aging, dementia, Alzheimer's, and end-of-life care.
But this conversation goes far beyond senior living.
James shares what happens when elder care becomes just anot...
What if the secret to building a great business had nothing to do with the product… and everything to do with purpose, people, and brand?
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, we sit down with Lance Ingram, founder of Waterloo Turf—one of the fastest growing artificial turf companies in America.
What started as a simple turf business became something much bigger: a lifestyle brand built around giving pe...
What does it really take to build a successful restaurant business?
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, JC sits down with Nelson Monteith, founder of Honest Mary’s
, to talk about entrepreneurship, fear, scaling a business, family, leadership, and why growing slower might actually be the smarter path.
From opening the very first Honest Mary’s location in Austin with no restaurant background…
&nb...
America doesn’t have a shortage of small businesses.
It has a shortage of people ready to take over.
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, JC sits down with American Operator founder & CEO Will Fry to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing Main Street America:
Finding the RIGHT people to step into ownership.
Because buying a business isn’t just about money.
It’s about:
<...What does it actually take to build a successful trades business in America today?
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, JC sits down with Ashley and Warren Stroud — founders of Plumbing Outfitters
— to talk about leadership, family, culture, entrepreneurship, and why the future of America may depend on rebuilding pride in the skilled trades.
This isn’t just a conversation about plumbing.
It’s a...
What actually grows a business?
Not what most people think.
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, Wade Lombard—founder of Square Cow Moving—breaks down what it really takes to build, scale, and protect a business over the long haul.
This is not theory.
This is hard-earned experience.
The Mindset Most People Don’t Have
“Every great thing in my life is delusion...
What does the future of small business in America actually look like?
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, we sit down with Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, former U.S. Senator, and business leader, to talk about the real state of Main Street—and what’s coming next.
From growing up on a fourth-generation family farm to leading a federal agency supporting 36 millio...
What actually makes a small business valuable?
And why do some buyers succeed… while others fail fast?
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, JC sits down with Judd Goodrich — who has seen thousands of deals from the inside — to break down what’s really happening in the small business market right now.
Because while everyone online is talking about buying businesses, very few...
What does combat leadership have to do with running a business?
More than you think.
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, Bret Boyd—West Point graduate, Army Ranger, and founder of Sustainment—shares how his experience in war shaped the way he builds teams, leads people, and is now working to rebuild American manufacturing.
From War to Business
Bret was at West Point during 9/11—watching history unfold in...
Everyone today seems obsessed with buying businesses.
Spreadsheets. Deal terms. Financing strategies.
ETA. Search funds. Private equity playbooks.
But almost nobody is talking about the thing that actually matters…
Running the business.
In this solo episode of the American Operator Podcast, Joseph Cabrera (JC) breaks down the growing disconnect between the world of business acquisition advice a...
Most people talking about buying a business are focused on deals, numbers, and financial engineering…
But what actually happens after the deal closes?
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, JC sits down with TJ Brogan—an owner and operator behind multiple businesses including car washes, food concepts, and more—to talk about the part no one teaches:
What it really means to be an ow...
What does it really take to buy and run a small business?
In this episode of the American Operator Podcast, JC sits down with Army veteran and entrepreneur Nathan Lenahan to talk about the real, unfiltered reality of business ownership.
Nathan shares the story of his first business acquisition — a diesel repair shop he bought with his twin brother that collapsed in less than 100 days, costing them their life savings and nearly ...
What happens when a former Wall Street professional walks away — and goes back to building with his hands?
In this episode, JC sits down with Jonathan Lusk — a former Goldman Sachs professional who grew up on a farm, built his own private wealth shop, and ultimately found himself back in the world of ranching and operating.
This conversation isn’t about hustle culture.
It’s about composure.
They dive into:
- Wh...
No one knows what they’re doing.
The difference? Some people decide to act anyway.
In this episode of American Operator, Joe Soelberg shares the mindset shift that changes everything: confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about taking ownership before you feel ready.
From stepping into responsibility early to learning how to lead without a clear roadmap, Joe breaks down what it actually takes to ...
Are you constantly getting rejected by owners?
In this solo episode of **American Operator**, we break down the **five things that actually earn trust and respect from legacy small business owners** — the kind of owners who’ve spent decades building something with their hands, their name, and their reputation.
Because here’s the truth:
These owners don’t sell to spreadsheets.
They sell to...
How do you scale a fast-growing brand without losing your soul?
In this episode of American Operator, we sit down with the team behind P. Terry’s Burger Stand to talk about building one of Texas’s most beloved food brands by doing the simple things the right way — every single day.
This conversation dives into what it really takes to grow a values-driven business, why restraint can be a competitive advantage, and ho...
What if the best training for business leadership didn’t come from a boardroom but, from the racetrack?
In this episode of American Operator, we sit down with Texas Dave to talk about how his background in racing and high-pressure competition shaped the way he builds businesses, leads teams, and takes responsibility when things go wrong.
Dave shares how racing taught him discipline, preparation, risk management, and accountabil...
What does accountability actually look like in government — and why does it matter to everyday Americans?
In this episode of American Operator, we sit down with Scott Fitzpatrick, Missouri State Auditor, for a candid conversation about transparency, public trust, and the role accountability plays in keeping communities and businesses strong.
Scott shares his path into public service, why audits matter more than ...
What really happens after Shark Tank?
In this episode of American Operator, we sit down with Lindsay Mullenger, founder of Petite Keep, to break down her journey from building a product-driven business to landing a deal on Shark Tank — and what success actually looks like once the cameras turn off.
Lindsay shares the behind-the-scenes reality of Shark Tank, the pressure of pitching on national television, and ho...
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