American Operator

What happens when an Irish river guide turns his passion for adventure into a small business empire in the Colorado mountains?

Ken Murphy, founder of Adventure Outdoors in Eagle, Colorado, shares how a one-way ticket to the U.S. turned into a lifelong pursuit of freedom, grit, and entrepreneurship. From ski lifts to whitewater rapids, Ken built a career around recreation — and then transformed that passion into a thriving multi-business operation connecting rafting, horseback riding, ATVs, and outdoor tours across the Rockies.

In this episode, Ken talks about the real business behind the outdoor industry — managing risk, evolving with technology, balancing tourism with conservation, and keeping the “small” in small business. He’s built a model that not only fuels adventure but helps revive Main Street economies across mountain towns in America.

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

The future of flight isn’t louder—it’s quieter.

Mark Moore and Ian Villa are the co-founders of Whisper Aero, a Tennessee-based startup designing the next generation of electric propulsion—technology so quiet, clean, and efficient that it’s poised to transform everything from drones to airplanes to leaf blowers.

After 32 years at NASA, Mark left government research to bring aviation innovation to small-town America. Alongside Ian—a Stanford-trained aerospace engineer who helped build Uber Elevate’s flying car division—they set up shop in Crossville, Tennessee, proving that world-changing ideas don’t have to come from Silicon Valley.

Whisper Aero’s work isn’t just about advancing flight—it’s about reviving Main Street through innovation, creating high-skill jobs, and showing what’s possible when cutting-edge technology takes root in rural America.

From their hangar in Crossville, they’re building a quieter, cleaner, more connected future of flight—and redefining what American ingenuity looks like today.
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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

He gave up his dream of becoming an astronaut to lead the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Col. Justin “Astro” Elliott’s story is one of grit, leadership, and choosing the harder path.

Col. Justin “Astro” Elliott grew up in Houston, with NASA in his backyard and space in his sights. A first-generation Canadian-American, he fought through obstacles—like poor eyesight that nearly ended his aviation career before it began—to become a combat fighter pilot. His journey took him through the grueling halls of test pilot school, combat deployments, and eventually the elite ranks of the Air Force’s Fighter Weapons School—known as the real-life “Top Gun.”

But when the call came to apply for NASA, Elliott made a decision few could fathom: he withdrew his astronaut application to become Commander of the Thunderbirds. Leading one of the most recognizable teams in the world, he found himself at the intersection of precision flying, leadership under pressure, and carrying the weight of inspiring an entire generation.

In this episode, Col. Elliott shares lessons on resilience, trust, and sacrifice. From making split-second life-or-death calls in the cockpit to the power of debriefs, EQ in leadership, and why humility matters more than celebrity—his story reminds us that chasing excellence often means choosing the harder path.

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

What happens when three friends from Alabama bring Southern grit, barbecue, and a whole lot of hustle to the mountains of Colorado? You get Moe’s Original BBQ — a community-driven restaurant that’s grown from a Vail Valley train station into more than 50 locations across the country.
In this episode of American Operator, JC sits down with founders Mike, Jeff, and Ben to unpack the story behind their legendary brand. From bootstrapping in -20 degree weather and using secondhand equipment, to making napkin-deals that shaped their national expansion, the Moe’s crew has built their business the only way they know how: hard work, humility, and a love of people.

They share lessons on:

• Listening to customers and letting the market guide your menu
• Vetting partners by working and playing side by side
• The realities of 16-hour days in hospitality
• Why employees are both the biggest challenge and greatest reward
• How faith, family, and community anchor them through it all

This is more than a story about barbecue. It’s about grit, generosity, and the relentless pursuit of doing things the right way — fresh food, fair prices, and strong neighborhoods.

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

For Brooks, the path to becoming a business owner wasn’t straight — but it was true. Brooks grew up hunting, fishing, and processing deer with his family, he always had a connection to food and community. After a short stint in college, years running a local deli, and time in the oil field, life took a sharp turn when COVID hit. Laid off and back at square one, he found himself working at the town’s longtime meat market — and eventually, taking the leap to buy it.

Now, Brooks is building something lasting in Brenham: a butcher shop with roots in tradition but a vision for the future. From custom-processing deer for families who depend on the meat all year, to bringing HEB-level quality and service to a small-town market, Brooks has poured love and consistency into a business that had changed hands too many times before.

This conversation is about more than cutting meat. It’s about pursuing your dream even when it doesn’t make sense on paper, the role of faith and family in taking big risks, and the pride that comes from keeping a community-fed tradition alive.
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

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

Austin Pardon's Pod Description?Austin Pardon grew up bottle-feeding baby tigers and walking among exotic animals — a third-generation legacy that shaped his vision for Droptine Studios. What began as a passion for telling the stories of exotic animal ranchers and breeders has grown tenfold into a thriving creative business, serving both corporate clients and small operators alike.

In this conversation, Austin shares how one early mentor and investor changed the trajectory of his career, instilling in him a giving heart and a responsibility to pay it forward. He talks openly about the tradeoffs of entrepreneurship, including the time away from family, and why faith remains the anchor in both the ups and downs of business. While Austin admits to being obsessed with the numbers, his focus has always been on people first — the clients, colleagues, and partners who give his work meaning.

At its core, this is a story of stewardship — of talents, opportunities, and the responsibility that comes with building something bigger than yourself.

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

In this episode of American Operator, JC sits down with Wade Lombard—an entrepreneur who went from disrupting the moving industry to building custom homes—to talk about leadership, discipline, and staying in your lane. Wade shares how key relationships shaped his path, why marriage transformed his priorities, and how understanding the Enneagram has helped him lead more effectively. From tackling a low-barrier industry with high standards, to surviving the “dark years” of business, Wade breaks down what it really takes to scale, leverage the strengths of others, and push through hard seasons. This is a candid conversation about growth, grit, and building something that lasts.

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/

In this episode of American Operator, JC sits down with James, founder of Tarrytown Roofing, to unpack a life shaped by grit, urgency, and a drive to do things better. From being sent alone to a family ranch in Mexico at age 12—learning Spanish, ranching, and resilience—to building a career in sales before betting on himself in the roofing industry, James’ journey is a masterclass in adaptation. He shares how discipline, mentorship, and a bias toward action helped him grow his business, the importance of thoughtful sales processes, and why health and mindset are essential for long-term success. If you’re interested in scaling a business, leading with urgency, and holding yourself to a higher standard, this conversation delivers.

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
• Locally Owned and Operated: https://www.locallyownedandoperated.org/