American Operator

By 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 St

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FAQs about American Operator:

How many episodes does American Operator have?

The podcast currently has 62 episodes available.

American Operator episodes:

September 09, 2025Wisdom From A Man Who Built A Moving Company Empire I Wade Lombard I AO 32
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
...more
1h 8min
September 02, 2025Being A Cowboy In Mexico Humbled Me, Now I Own A Roofing Business I James Wolfgang Kuntz I AO 31
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
...more
58min
August 26, 2025Sold A Generator Company And Acquired A Glass Business I Michael Summers I AO 30
Michael Summers didn’t start in the trades — he started on stage. A former theater major at Baylor turned tour manager for bands like Switchfoot, Jars of Clay, and Robert Randolph, Michael’s early career was all about storytelling, logistics, and making people laugh. Today, he owns Alamo Glass, a residential and commercial glass business in Texas — and his path from the entertainment world to blue-collar ownership is anything but traditional.

In this episode, JC and Michael dive into:
- The systems mindset Michael brought from tour management and church leadership into the trades
- Scaling a family business from 21 to 45 employees in under a year — and choosing not to acquire it
- What it really took to buy and operate his own business a year later
- Why communication and emotional intelligence are underrated tools in business
- The value of boring businesses with real moats — and what makes glass so resilient
- Lessons in leadership, operating, and building a team that maximizes you time

Michael’s story is a reminder that every operator brings a unique backstory to the table — and that ownership, at its core, about listening, responding, and helping others thrive.

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
...more
1h 12min
August 19, 2025Built A High End Luxury Beauty Business With Texas Charm I Kaylee Watts I AO 29
Here is a description for Kaylee Watts - Thoughts?
At the beginning of building a thriving laser skincare business, Kaylee Watts was juggling four jobs keeping Austin Laser Solutions running (all solo) — answering phones, treating clients, and managing books all between 6th Street bar shifts. What started as a grind turned into a scaled, multi-location operation with loyal clients and a growing team. But with growth came something else: the pressure, the grief, and a reckoning with what it all costs.
In this episode of American Operator, Kaylee walks us through:
Launching her business debt-free with one machine and pure hustle
Hiring her first employee (a best friend) and learning to lead
Growing slow, on purpose, and building real relationships
What losing her mom taught her about boundaries, burnout, and why success needs space
If you’ve ever carried your business too close to your heart or wondered when it’s time to step back — this one will hit home.

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
...more
1h 11min
August 12, 2025Blue Bell's Former CEO Shares The Sweetness In Taking On Life One Scoop At A Time I Ricky Dickson I AO 28
How do you lead a legacy brand without losing yourself in the process? Ricky Dickson spent 43 years at Blue Bell, working his way from the first day on the job to the CEO seat — and never forgot where he came from.

In this episode of American Operator, Ricky shares what it really means to grow into leadership: staying grounded in service, leading with humility, and walking through both the sweet and hard seasons. For him, this career wasn’t just a job — it was a calling, a family tradition, and a lifelong lesson in consistency and character.

This is a story about building trust over time, staying anchored in purpose, and taking on life — one scoop at a time.

Whether you’re running a family business, stepping into leadership, or learning how to lead with faith — this one’s for you.
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
...more
1h 9min
August 05, 2025Building a Successful Chiropractor Business After Getting Fired I Dr. Nick Fedele I AO 27
In this episode of American Operator, Dr. Nick shares how his grandfather’s wisdom and belief in him sparked a fire to go independent. From those early days of doubt and hustle to building a thriving chiropractic practice, Dr. Nick reveals the discipline, patience, and purpose it takes to serve people well — and run a values-driven business.
This is a story about honoring where you come from, pushing through when no one’s watching, and proving that doing the job right still matters.
Whether you're in the early days of a new venture or trying to turn a setback into strength — this episode hits home.
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
...more
1h 6min
July 31, 2025Everyday Heroes Doing The Right Thing, Because They Don't Have To Ask I AO 26
When crisis hits, it's not just firefighters and first responders that show up — sometimes, it's your neighborhood small business owner. In this episode, we dive into real stories of local operators who stepped in when it mattered most. From natural disasters to community breakdowns, these entrepreneurs became unexpected heroes, proving that running a business isn't just about profit — it's about purpose.
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
...more
13min
July 24, 2025First 30 Days Pt. 3: Observe & Innovate I AO 25
In this final episode of our First 30 Days series, we get tactical about improving the business you just bought—without breaking the machine.
JC shares how to audit your customer and team experience, introduces a 5-step framework for solving process problems, and explains how to implement changes without burning trust or momentum.
If you’re ready to lead smarter, not louder, and want to make your business better one improvement at a time—this one’s for you.
🔊 Tune in. Get sharper. And stay steady.
🎙️ Subscribe for more real talk from the frontline of American business.
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
...more
8min
July 17, 2025First 30 Days Pt. 2: How to Measure Business Health I AO 24
You don’t need to be a CPA to be a great owner.
But if you don’t understand how your business makes, loses, or keeps money... you’re flying blind.
In this episode of American Operator, JC walks through the core financial metrics every new business owner must track to know if the business is actually healthy… or just surviving.
From weekly cash flow checks to retention rates and debt coverage, this is the business dashboard no one handed you—but everyone needs.
🔍 Learn how to:
Build your “Owner Dashboard” with 3–5 core metrics
Read a P&L like a story—not a spreadsheet
Track cash flow daily and spot leaks fast
Monitor team morale without disrupting the operation
Make confident decisions with real financial awareness
This is Part 2 of our First 30 Days series.
🎧 Catch up on Part 1: How to Build Trust in a Business You Just Bought.

📩 Subscribe to the American Operator to get Part 3 next week.
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
...more
5min
July 10, 2025First 30 Days Pt. 1 – How to Build Trust in Acquisitions I AO 23
You just bought a business. Now what? The worst thing you can do is walk in and start swinging your authority around. In this episode of American Operator, JC breaks down exactly what the first 30 days should look like for any new owner.
This isn’t the time to change everything. It’s the time to earn trust.
From one-on-one conversations to walking the floor with humility, this episode will teach you how to build credibility, calm your team’s nerves, and set the tone for long-term success.
🔑 You’ll learn:
The 3 questions every new owner should ask their team
How to be present without micromanaging
Why curiosity beats control
How to show up without promising too much too soon
This is Part 1 of our 3-part series: “The First 30 Days.”
Subscribe to make sure you catch Parts 2 and 3.
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
...more
7min

FAQs about American Operator:

How many episodes does American Operator have?

The podcast currently has 62 episodes available.