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August 12, 2025 68 mins

How do you lead a legacy brand without losing yourself in the process? Ricky Dickson spent 43 years at Blue Bell, working his way from the first day on the job to the CEO seat — and never forgot where he came from.

In this episode of American Operator, Ricky shares what it really means to grow into leadership: staying grounded in service, leading with humility, and walking through both the sweet and hard seasons. For him, this career wasn’t just a job — it was a calling, a family tradition, and a lifelong lesson in consistency and character.

This is a story about building trust over time, staying anchored in purpose, and taking on life — one scoop at a time.

Whether you’re running a family business, stepping into leadership, or learning how to lead with faith — this one’s for you.

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