American Operator
Hosted by Joseph Cabrera, American Operator dives into the world of business ownership through conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders who have built and sustained successful businesses. This podcast offers real talk on the challenges, rewards, and lessons learned from the frontlines of entrepreneurship. Whether you're considering buying a business, running one, or looking for inspiration, you'll find valuable insights and advice here. We're unapologetically pro-American and pro small business, celebrating the people who keep our communities thriving. Join us to learn, grow and take control of your entrepreneurial journey.
Episodes
35 episodes
Started An Alabama BBQ Pit In Colorado And Grew It To +50 Locations I Mike, Ben, and Jeff I AO 35
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 mo...
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1:02:06
Laid Off From The Oil Fields To Owning An Old School Butcher Shop I Brooks Lubojasky I AO 34
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 r...
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51:20
Keeping Ranches Profitable Through Creative Marketing I Austin Pardon I AO 33
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...
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1:07:59
Wisdom 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 relat...
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1:07:14
Being 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...
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57:01
Sold 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, a...
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1:11:57
Built 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, a...
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1:10:33
Blue 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 Ame...
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1:08:20
Building 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 rev...
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1:05:11
Everyday 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 na...
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12:42
First 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 ...
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7:17
First 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 me...
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4:40
First 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 owne...
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6:04
Why Small Business Is Patriotic: 4th of July Special I AO 22
On this Independence Day, JC delivers a personal and passionate message on why small business ownership is the most American thing you can do. As we fire up the grills and watch fireworks, JC challenges us to think about what we're doing...
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8:37
Football Quarterbacks Run Small Business Plays I Jeff Driskel & Jason Driskel I AO 21 Clip
In this episode of American Operator, we sit down with Jeff and Jason Driskel — brothers, quarterbacks, and now business partners. While Jeff continues his NFL career, Jason has stepped into the full-time operator role as they grow a portfolio ...
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1:03:21
West Point, Pro Baseball, Iraq - Road To Ownership I Schuyler Williamson I AO 20
What do mortgage rates, job security, and building houses have in common? Schuyler Williamson, founder of Mission Homes in Austin, joins JC to break down what’s really keeping people from buying — and why small business ownership might be the a...
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1:07:57
Military Secrets for Decision Making - Stop Overthinking & Procrastinating FOREVER I AO 19
Stop spiraling over every decision.In this video, JC breaks down a practical 4-bucket system used in the military for fast, confident decision-making — so you can stop overthinking and start operating. Whether you're leading a tea...
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11:13
The Coffee Shop That Found Success Through Philanthropy I Dane Kenney & Bryce Oldham I AO 18
This episode of American Operator follows the founder of Noble Joe’s, a coffee trailer born out of curiosity, hustle, and a few too many unknowns. From struggling to source espresso machines to the first time firing up the trailer, it’s a candi...
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1:05:41
From Food Truck To Food Network: A Veteran On The Battlefield Of War, Life & Business I AO 17
What does it really take to build a business in the trenches — one plate at a time?In this episode of American Operator, JC sits down with Robert Strong, Iraq veteran, chef and founder of Pretty Thai in Austin, TX....
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1:10:40
Small Business in a Shaky Economy: Threat or Opportunity? I AO 16
Should you buy a business right now — or wait it out?In this episode of American Operator, JC and Mainshares Founder, William Fry get honest about what it takes to operate during uncertain times. From intere...
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29:36
5 Signs You're Ready for Entrepreneurship I AO 15
Escape the 9 to 5. Build a Legacy. | American Operator 🇺🇸🛠️What drives someone to walk away from the “safe” path — the steady paycheck, the 401(k), the corporate ladder — to chase something harder… and more meaningful?In this ep...
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12:39
How to Lose Sleep, Make Money, and Still Love Owning a Business I AO 14
Ever thought about buying a small business? James Jackson Leach has bought more than a few—and learned some hard lessons along the way.In this episode of The American Operator Podcast, James shares the unfiltered reality of owning and o...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:01:28
How I Bought a Failing Car Wash & Turned It Into a Profitable Business I AO 13
Buying a business is one thing—running it is another.In this episode of The American Operator Podcast, TJ Brogan, owner of Washaroo Car Wash in Austin, Texas, shares his unexpected journey from tec...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:01:44
I spent the entire day with a plumber and learned the good, bad and risks of being in the trades I AO 12
What does it really take to run a plumbing business?In this solo episode of The American Operator Podcast, Joseph Cabrera shares his experience spending a day in the field with Blue Ribbon Plumbing, Air & El...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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15:39
You Only Lose When You Quit—Business Wisdom from The Desert Door I AO 11
Building a business isn’t for the faint of heart.In this episode of The American Operator Podcast, Brent Looby, founder of Desert Door Sotol, shares his raw and unfiltered journey of launching a distillery w...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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42:01