American Operator

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/5a/e3/9e/5ae39e1a-56a7-3885-c63b-e2b14c49b26e/mza_13654115305305821891.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

American Operator

Joseph Cabrera

40 episodes

1 day ago

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, an...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

All content for American Operator is the property of Joseph Cabrera and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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, an...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/40)

American Operator

An Irish Immigrant Protects America's Most Beautiful Land I Ken Murphy I 40

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, an...

4 days ago

1 hour 9 minutes

American Operator

The School Bus That Picks Up 11,000 Dogs I Evan Z - EZ Dog Play & Stay I AO 39

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 ...

1 week ago

1 hour 4 minutes

American Operator

Why Veterans Make Great Business Owners I John Panaccione - Folla Capital I AO 38

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, an...

2 weeks ago

1 hour 6 minutes

American Operator

The Future Of Flight Is Silent I Mark Moore and Ian Villa - Whisper Aero I AO 37

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 E...

3 weeks ago

1 hour 13 minutes

American Operator

Combat Fighter Pilot Gave Up His Dream Of Being An Astronaut To Become The Commander Of The Thunderbirds I Col Justin "Astro" Elliott I AO 36

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 h...

1 month ago

1 hour 49 minutes

American Operator

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 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 m...

1 month ago

1 hour 2 minutes

American Operator

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 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 som...

1 month ago

51 minutes

American Operator

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 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, ins...

1 month ago

1 hour 7 minutes

American Operator

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 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...

2 months ago

1 hour 7 minutes

American Operator

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, 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 i...

2 months ago

57 minutes

American Operator

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, 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 ...

2 months ago

1 hour 11 minutes

American Operator

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, 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 al...

2 months ago

1 hour 10 minutes

American Operator

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 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, ...

2 months ago

1 hour 8 minutes

American Operator

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 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 y...

3 months ago

1 hour 5 minutes

American Operator

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 natural disasters to community breakdowns, these entrepreneurs became unexpected heroes, proving that running a business isn't just about profit — it's about purpose. Subscribe to AO's Newsletter 🗞️ Find BTS with more Owners on Youtube 🎥 Follow us on I...

3 months ago

12 minutes

American Operator

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 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 st...

3 months ago

7 minutes

American Operator

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 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 “Owne...

3 months ago

4 minutes

American Operator

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 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. 🔑 Y...

4 months ago

6 minutes

American Operator

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 with the opportunity we've been given. He shares reflections from his time in uniform, the risk of losing legacy businesses, and how we need a new generation of owners willing to take the torch. This isn't just a pep talk—it's a call to build. If you’re feeli...

4 months ago

8 minutes

American Operator

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 of service-based businesses that prioritize freedom, fundamentals, and long-term value. Their first acquisition? An accounting firm. Since then, it’s been all-in on ownership — no venture capital, no gimmicks, just consistent execution and family-drive...

4 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes