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. 3D AGO

    The Power of Small Towns and Local Owners I Mexico, Missouri I AO 50

    What happens when a town loses its hospital — and refuses to fall apart? In this solo episode of American Operator, we recap a powerful trip to Mexico, Missouri, a small town that faced what should have been a breaking point: the sudden loss of its entire hospital system. What we expected to find was decline. What we actually found was resilience, ownership, and a community stepping up for one another in remarkable ways. This episode is a reflection on what makes small towns strong — and why local ownership, personal responsibility, and neighborly action still matter more than ever. We dive into: How Mexico, Missouri continued to thrive after losing critical infrastructureWhy small-town Americans are built for tough timesLocal business owners and doctors stepping in when no one else was comingThe power of ownership beyond profitWhy action — not circumstance — determines outcomesWhat all of us can learn from communities that refuse to quitFrom doctors treating neighbors for free, to business owners filling gaps overnight, this story is a reminder that the American Dream doesn’t live in headlines — it lives in towns where people raise their hand and do what needs to be done. If you care about local communities, small business, and the future of Main Street America, this episode will challenge you to think differently about leadership, responsibility, and what it really means to show up. 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

    15 min
  2. JAN 27

    Why People Are Moving From White Collar To Blue Collar Jobs I ECO Air - Matt Gandy I AO 49

    Why are more people walking away from white-collar careers and finding freedom in blue-collar work? In this episode of American Operator, we sit down with Matt Gandy, owner of ECO Air, to unpack the growing shift from corporate jobs to skilled trades and business ownership. Matt shares his journey from the traditional white-collar path into the trades, why ownership brings both freedom and pressure, and what most people don’t understand about building a blue-collar business from the ground up. This conversation dives into: - Why white-collar jobs no longer deliver the security they promise - The hidden freedom (and stress) of business ownership - What attracts high performers to the trades - The dignity and opportunity found in blue-collar work - Building a company culture that actually lasts - Why the trades are becoming the new American Dream From HVAC to leadership, risk-taking to responsibility, this episode breaks down why the blue-collar path isn’t a step backward, it’s a step toward ownership, purpose, and long-term opportunity. If you’re questioning the traditional career ladder, curious about the trades, or thinking about starting a service business, this episode will challenge how you see work, success, and freedom. 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

    1 hr
  3. JAN 20

    Running Your Small Town Like A Business I Josh Schroeder - Mayor of Georgetown I AO 48

    What makes a small town thrive — and how do you grow without losing what made it special in the first place? In this episode of American Operator, we sit down with Josh Schrader, Mayor of Georgetown, Texas, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, small business, community, and the real work behind building Main Street America. Mayor Schrader shares how Georgetown became one of the fastest-growing cities in the country while still preserving its small-town charm, why community involvement isn’t optional for business owners, and what leadership actually looks like when the headlines don’t matter. This conversation covers: Why small businesses must give back to the communities they serveHow Georgetown avoided becoming just another suburbLeading through rapid growth, COVID, and hard decisionsThe importance of humility, honesty, and accountability in leadershipWhy young people are returning to trades and small business ownershipBalancing growth, culture, and long-term sustainabilityFrom law to local government, from downtown squares to generational leadership, this episode is a masterclass on why Main Street still matters — and why the American Dream is alive in places willing to protect it. If you care about small business, local leadership, and the future of American towns, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 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 12m
  4. 12/02/2025

    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
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