American Operator

Joseph Cabrera

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 OperatorPod: @AmericanOperatorPodcastInsta: https://www.instagram.com/theamericanoperator

  1. DEC 2

    Say Yes And Show Up | Greg Gordon — Party Machines | AO 44

    Greg Gordon is unfiltered, unpredictable, and one of the most original operators you’ll ever meet. From renting margarita machines across Texas to running for Austin Mayor and accidentally building a global foam business, Greg’s story is a masterclass in saying yes, showing up, and figuring it out later. Greg Talks About:  🔴 Growing up with chaos, grit, and resilience — and how it shaped his operator mindset.  🔴 The ninth-grade moment that taught him to ask, risk, and show up.  🔴 How one impulsive “yes” turned into a worldwide foam business.  🔴 Scaling Party Machines from garage mixing to Amazon, Walmart, and global demand.  🔴 Why mistakes are fine — but never the same mistake twice.  🔴 Planning every year with ruthless clarity and protecting his time.  🔴 Why not every customer is your customer — and why consistency beats everything. Real stories. Real ownership. Real lessons from the field. This is American Operator. AO In Action: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanOperator Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamericanoperator Newsletter: https://americanoperator.substack.com 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

    1h 9m
  2. NOV 11

    Fighting Nazis, Making Whiskey, and Honoring The Men Who Invented Mountain Recreation I 10th Mountain I 41

    In the heart of Vail Valley, Ryan Thompson and Sean McNeill run 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co., a distillery paying tribute to the legendary 10th Mountain Division — soldiers who fought Nazis, came home, and laid the foundation for modern skiing and mountain recreation. From bartending in small-town Colorado to building a nationally recognized whiskey brand, Ryan and Sean share the grit, hospitality, and entrepreneurial spirit that drive their work — and how honoring history can guide the future of business. They Talk About: 🔴 Building a whiskey brand from the ground up while staying true to your roots. 🔴 The lessons of service, grit, and perseverance learned from the 10th Mountain Division. 🔴 Why running a business means working in service of something bigger than yourself. 🔴 How Main Street businesses preserve history, culture, and community. 🔴 The hardest lessons learned from failure — and why they pale in comparison to the challenges faced by those who came before them. 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

    1h 1m
  3. OCT 28

    The School Bus That Picks Up 11,000 Dogs I Evan Z - EZ Dog Play & Stay I AO 39

    What happens when you trade the desk job for a dog bus? For Evan, the journey from finance to fur started with one realization — he was meant to work outside, around animals, and on his own terms. After years behind a desk as a banker and analyst, he walked away from corporate life to care for horses, manage vet clinics, and eventually launch EZ Dog Stay & Play — a dog daycare and boarding business built on connection, trust, and grit. From 3 dogs on day one to over 11,000 reservations a year, Evan has grown his business from the ground up — literally fencing pastures, driving pick-up routes across Austin, and creating a place where dogs are part of the family. But his story isn’t just about success; it’s about perseverance. In late 2023, Evan was diagnosed with cancer and underwent major surgery that could’ve ended everything. Instead, he fought through treatment, leaned on his community, and kept the business running — proving that purpose can push you through any obstacle. Today, EZ Dog Stay & Play is thriving on two acres in southeast Austin with a full team, multiple dog buses, and a mission that runs deeper than daycare: to serve people and their pets with heart. Evan’s story is a reminder that small-town values, hard work, and faith still build America’s best businesses. 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

    1h 5m
  4. OCT 21

    Why Veterans Make Great Business Owners I John Panaccione - Folla Capital I AO 38

    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

    1h 7m
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

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 OperatorPod: @AmericanOperatorPodcastInsta: https://www.instagram.com/theamericanoperator

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