Why do veterans make some of the best business owners in America?
For John Panaccione, the answer starts with leadership, decision-making, and grit — traits forged not in a boardroom, but on the battlefield.
John grew up in Rhode Island in a family with a long history of military service. After years as an Army officer — including a stint leading airborne tank units during Desert Storm — he learned lessons that would carry into every chapter of his life: lead by example, set the standard, and trust your team.
When his military service ended, John traded the jump boots for business. He built and sold a company, started a nonprofit accelerator for veteran entrepreneurs, and now runs Folla Capital, helping others buy, grow, and invest in small businesses across America.
In this episode, John and JC dig into what makes veterans uniquely prepared for ownership — the training, decision-making, and mindset that give them a natural edge — and how investing in veteran-led businesses could reshape Main Street for the better.
It’s about service, stewardship, and the mission that doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.
Real stories. Real ownership. Real lessons from the field.
This is American Operator.
Join the Movement
Tactical insights and behind-the-scenes stories from America’s operators:
- Website: www.americanoperator.com
- AO In Action: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanOperator
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamericanoperator
- Newsletter: https://americanoperator.substack.com
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.