American Operator
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 Operator
Pod: @AmericanOperatorPodcast
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/theamericanoperator
American Operator
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 interest rate pressure to market chaos, this one’s for every scrappy buyer, solo founder, or operator trying to make smart moves without burning out.
He breaks down:
- The myth of “perfect timing”
- Why some owners are quietly winning big
- How $150K turned into a $3.6M business
- What operators really need to focus on when things get weird
Whether you're buying your first business or scaling your fifth, this episode pulls no punches.
🎙️ Because Operators don’t wait for certainty — they build anyway.
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