Ever thought about buying a small business? James Jackson Leach has bought more than a few—and learned some hard lessons along the way.
In this episode of The American Operator Podcast, James shares the unfiltered reality of owning and operating small businesses, from a neighborhood butcher shop to a downtown bar. He opens up about the challenges no one talks about—like managing unpredictable employees, dealing with government regulations, and knowing when it’s time to pull the plug on a failing business.
🔹 How he bought his first business with an SBA loan
🔹 The hardest lessons from running a meat market, brewery, and bar
🔹 What most first-time owners get wrong about leadership
🔹 Why culture and people make or break your business
🔹 How grit (and a little ruthlessness) keep you in the game
💡 If you're thinking about buying a small business, this is the real story you need to hear.
📢 Subscribe for more real stories from operators building America’s backbone.
#Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwnership #AmericanOperator #Leadership #entrepreneur #SMB #buyabusiness #podcast #boringbusinesses #owner #owneroperator #operatorinsights #america #AmericanDream #BusinessGrowth #SideHustle #BuildYourBusiness #WealthBuilding #AcquisitionEntrepreneurship #BusinessAcquisition #BizBuySell #SearchFund #MergersAndAcquisitions #BuyingACompany #LocalBusiness #OperatorMentality #BlueCollarMillionaire #SuccessStories #Trades
Subscribe to AO's Newsletter 🗞️
Find BTS with more Owners on Youtube 🎥
Follow us on Instagram: @TheAmericanOperator 📸
Follow Joseph Cabrera on LinkedIn 🔗
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!