American Operator
American Operator
Manifesto
the problem
America’s small business economy is at a turning point. There are over 6,000,000 SMBs in the U.S., and a majority have aging owners. As those owners retire, what happens to those businesses?
Apart from closing up shop, there are two potential outcomes:
America’s small business economy is at a turning point. There are over 6,000,000 SMBs in the U.S., and a majority have aging owners. As those owners retire, what happens to those businesses?
Apart from closing up shop, there are two potential outcomes:
1
Large private equity-backed companies slowly buy them up, while cutting staff and increasing prices. The days of independent businesses come to an end.
2
The next generation of hardworking, talented Americans takes these businesses forward. Like their predecessors, they take pride in employing their neighbors, delivering value to their customers, and investing in their communities.
American Operator exists to fight for independent ownership, prosperous communities, and the future of America’s small business economy.
American Operator exists to fight for independent ownership, prosperous communities, and the future of America’s small business economy.
America’s defining asset
For 247 years, independence and ownership have defined our country.
At the time of the Declaration of Independence’s signing, the vast majority of the 56 delegates owned small businesses. Ben Franklin ran a printing shop. John Hancock took over the House of Hancock, his uncle’s import/export firm. Samuel Adams worked as a partner in his family’s malthouse.
Over two centuries later, that same entrepreneurial spirit is responsible for the incredible wealth our country has created.
For 247 years, independence and ownership have defined our country.
At the time of the Declaration of Independence’s signing, the vast majority of the 56 delegates owned small businesses. Ben Franklin ran a printing shop. John Hancock took over the House of Hancock, his uncle’s import/export firm. Samuel Adams worked as a partner in his family’s malthouse.
Over two centuries later, that same entrepreneurial spirit is responsible for the incredible wealth our country has created.
For nearly 250 years, independence and ownership have defined our country.
At the time of the Declaration of Independence’s signing, the vast majority of the 56 delegates owned small businesses. Ben Franklin ran a printing shop. John Hancock took over the House of Hancock, his uncle’s import/export firm. Samuel Adams worked as a partner in his family’s malthouse.
Over two centuries later, that same entrepreneurial spirit is responsible for the incredible wealth our country has created.
$11.9 trillion
Generated by Small business in 2023 alone
$11.9 trillion
Generated by Small business in 2023 alone
$11.9 trillion
Generated by Small business in 2023 alone
In 2023, the U.S. generated $27.36 trillion in GDP. Small businesses are responsible for $11.9 trillion of that.
In 2023, there were over 134 million Americans in our workforce. Small businesses employed over 61 million of them.
Aside from their economic importance, small businesses are emblematic of the opportunity and freedom that attract the best talent in the world to our shores. Countless immigrants carry the story of the dry cleaner, pharmacy, wholesaling business, etc their parents started when first moving to this country.
In the U.S., you are rewarded for an ownership mentality, the courage to do things differently, and the value you create for your fellow Americans.
In 2023, the U.S. generated $27.36 trillion in GDP. Small businesses are responsible for $11.9 trillion of that.
In 2023, there were over 134 million Americans in our workforce. Small businesses employed over 61 million of them.
Aside from their economic importance, small businesses are emblematic of the opportunity and freedom that attract the best talent in the world to our shores. Countless immigrants carry the story of the dry cleaner, pharmacy, wholesaling business, etc their parents started when first moving to this country.
In the U.S., you are rewarded for an ownership mentality, the courage to do things differently, and the value you create for your fellow Americans.
In 2023, the U.S. generated $27.36 trillion in GDP. Small businesses are responsible for $11.9 trillion of that.
In 2023, there were over 134 million Americans in our workforce. Small businesses employed over 61 million of them.
Aside from their economic importance, small businesses are emblematic of the opportunity and freedom that attract the best talent in the world to our shores. Countless immigrants carry the story of the dry cleaner, pharmacy, wholesaling business, etc their parents started when first moving to this country.
In the U.S., you are rewarded for an ownership mentality, the courage to do things differently, and the value you create for your fellow Americans.
A tragic tradeoff
While the current generation of owners is keenly aware of the importance of their businesses, they often face an unfortunate tradeoff when attempting to sell them.
They can often recoup their money by selling to private equity, knowingly putting their customers and employees at risk. Alternatively, they can sell their business for pennies on the dollar to a trusted operator, despite having poured their heart and soul into it for decades.
The cause of that tradeoff is a capital disconnect: the very people who are best equipped to run these businesses – local operators, seasoned general managers, industry professionals – are extremely unlikely to have $500,000 of liquid assets sitting in savings. Likewise, the people who have access to easy capital – the financiers – are generally ill-equipped to take the baton.
While the current generation of owners is keenly aware of the importance of their businesses, they often face an unfortunate tradeoff when attempting to sell them.
They can often recoup their money by selling to private equity, knowingly putting their customers and employees at risk. Alternatively, they can sell their business for pennies on the dollar to a trusted operator, despite having poured their heart and soul into it for decades.
The cause of that tradeoff is a capital disconnect: the very people who are best equipped to run these businesses – local operators, seasoned general managers, industry professionals – are extremely unlikely to have $500,000 of liquid assets sitting in savings. Likewise, the people who have access to easy capital – the financiers – are generally ill-equipped to take the baton.
While the current generation of owners is keenly aware of the importance of their businesses, they often face an unfortunate tradeoff when attempting to sell them.
They can often recoup their money by selling to private equity, knowingly putting their customers and employees at risk. Alternatively, they can sell their business for pennies on the dollar to a trusted operator, despite having poured their heart and soul into it for decades.
The cause of that tradeoff is a capital disconnect: the very people who are best equipped to run these businesses – local operators, seasoned general managers, industry professionals – are extremely unlikely to have $500,000 of liquid assets sitting in savings. Likewise, the people who have access to easy capital – the financiers – are generally ill-equipped to take the baton.
Keeping independent ownership alive
We measure our success by the number of businesses we keep in the hands of local owner operators.
We are lucky to have the support of allies who have rallied to our cause. From the hundreds of investors on American Operator who are backing the next generation of owner-operators, to the dozens of successful current and former business owners, this is a team effort.
Individual ownership is too important to allow all SMBs to be controlled by the same 30 private equity funds. If you also envision a future where the Little League is sponsored by the local residential painting company and the Veterans Parade is funded by the local HVAC contractor, join our mission as a future owner-operator, investor or advisor.
We measure our success by the number of businesses we keep in the hands of local owner operators.
We are lucky to have the support of allies who have rallied to our cause. From the hundreds of investors on American Operator who are backing the next generation of owner-operators, to the dozens of successful current and former business owners, this is a team effort.
Individual ownership is too important to allow all SMBs to be controlled by the same 30 private equity funds. If you also envision a future where the Little League is sponsored by the local residential painting company and the Veterans Parade is funded by the local HVAC contractor, join our mission as a future owner-operator, investor or advisor.
Join Us!
Whether you’re a retiring owner, an operator ready to own, or a supporter of keeping Main Street locally owned, please share a bit about yourself and how you'd like to get involved.
Join Us!
Whether you’re a retiring owner, an operator ready to own, or a supporter of keeping Main Street locally owned, please share a bit about yourself and how you'd like to get involved.
Join Us!
Whether you’re a retiring owner, an operator ready to own, or a supporter of keeping Main Street locally owned, please share a bit about yourself and how you'd like to get involved.
Get the latesT in your inbox
Follow along for launch updates, stories and insights from our mission to keep businesses in the hands of local owner-operators — for the benefit of employees, communities, and customers alike.
american operator is
an all-american movement
Based in the heart of USA
Proudly based in the USA
Proudly based in the USA
follow us
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 23.761 3.642 C 23.761 3.642 23.527 1.987 22.805 1.261 C 21.891 0.305 20.869 0.3 20.4 0.244 C 17.044 0 12.005 0 12.005 0 L 11.995 0 C 11.995 0 6.956 0 3.6 0.244 C 3.131 0.3 2.109 0.305 1.195 1.261 C 0.473 1.987 0.244 3.642 0.244 3.642 C 0.244 3.642 0 6.588 0 8.528 L 0 10.347 C 0 12.288 0.239 15.233 0.239 15.233 C 0.239 15.233 0.473 16.888 1.191 17.614 C 2.105 18.57 3.305 18.538 3.839 18.641 C 5.761 18.823 12 18.88 12 18.88 C 12 18.88 17.044 18.87 20.4 18.631 C 20.869 18.575 21.891 18.57 22.805 17.614 C 23.527 16.888 23.761 15.233 23.761 15.233 C 23.761 15.233 24 12.292 24 10.347 L 24 8.528 C 24 6.588 23.761 3.642 23.761 3.642 Z M 9.52 12.555 L 9.52 4.809 L 16.003 9.194 Z" fill="rgb(30, 30, 30)" height="18.87964px" id="WcqFtnAin" transform="translate(0 2.56)" width="24px"/></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 8 0 C 10.209 0 12 1.791 12 4 L 12 9.625 C 12 11.902 10.208 13.75 8 13.75 C 5.792 13.75 4 11.902 4 9.625 L 4 4 C 4 1.791 5.791 0 8 0 Z M 2 7.906 L 2 9.625 C 2 13.063 4.708 15.813 8 15.813 C 11.333 15.813 14 13.063 14 9.625 L 14 6.875 L 16 6.875 L 16 9.625 C 16 13.836 12.958 17.316 9 17.832 L 9 19.938 L 12 19.938 L 12 22 L 4 22 L 4 19.938 L 7 19.938 L 7 17.832 C 3.042 17.316 0 13.836 0 9.625 L 0 6.875 L 2 6.875 Z" fill="rgb(30, 30, 30)" height="22px" id="kKY0WIufq" transform="translate(4 1)" width="16px"/></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g d="M 0 24 L 0 0 L 24 0 L 24 24 Z M 12 0 C 5.4 0 0 5.4 0 12 C 0 18.6 5.4 24 12 24 C 18.6 24 24 18.6 24 12 C 24 5.4 18.66 0 12 0 Z M 17.521 17.34 C 17.281 17.699 16.861 17.82 16.5 17.58 C 13.68 15.84 10.14 15.479 5.939 16.439 C 5.521 16.561 5.16 16.26 5.04 15.9 C 4.92 15.479 5.22 15.12 5.58 15 C 10.14 13.979 14.1 14.4 17.22 16.32 C 17.64 16.5 17.699 16.979 17.521 17.34 Z M 18.961 14.04 C 18.66 14.46 18.12 14.64 17.699 14.34 C 14.46 12.36 9.54 11.76 5.76 12.96 C 5.281 13.08 4.74 12.84 4.62 12.36 C 4.5 11.88 4.74 11.339 5.22 11.219 C 9.6 9.9 15 10.561 18.72 12.84 C 19.081 13.021 19.26 13.62 18.961 14.04 Z M 19.081 10.68 C 15.24 8.4 8.82 8.16 5.16 9.301 C 4.56 9.48 3.96 9.12 3.78 8.58 C 3.6 7.979 3.96 7.38 4.5 7.199 C 8.76 5.939 15.78 6.179 20.221 8.82 C 20.76 9.12 20.94 9.84 20.64 10.38 C 20.341 10.801 19.62 10.979 19.081 10.68 Z" fill="transparent" height="24px" id="tkq9tDUQr" width="24px"><path d="M 0 24 L 0 0 L 24 0 L 24 24 Z" fill="transparent" height="24px" id="AFSrOTzIO" width="24px"/><path d="M 12 0 C 5.4 0 0 5.4 0 12 C 0 18.6 5.4 24 12 24 C 18.6 24 24 18.6 24 12 C 24 5.4 18.66 0 12 0 Z M 17.521 17.34 C 17.281 17.699 16.861 17.82 16.5 17.58 C 13.68 15.84 10.14 15.479 5.939 16.439 C 5.521 16.561 5.16 16.26 5.04 15.9 C 4.92 15.479 5.22 15.12 5.58 15 C 10.14 13.979 14.1 14.4 17.22 16.32 C 17.64 16.5 17.699 16.979 17.521 17.34 Z M 18.961 14.04 C 18.66 14.46 18.12 14.64 17.699 14.34 C 14.46 12.36 9.54 11.76 5.76 12.96 C 5.281 13.08 4.74 12.84 4.62 12.36 C 4.5 11.88 4.74 11.339 5.22 11.219 C 9.6 9.9 15 10.561 18.72 12.84 C 19.081 13.021 19.26 13.62 18.961 14.04 Z M 19.081 10.68 C 15.24 8.4 8.82 8.16 5.16 9.301 C 4.56 9.48 3.96 9.12 3.78 8.58 C 3.6 7.979 3.96 7.38 4.5 7.199 C 8.76 5.939 15.78 6.179 20.221 8.82 C 20.76 9.12 20.94 9.84 20.64 10.38 C 20.341 10.801 19.62 10.979 19.081 10.68 Z" fill="rgb(30, 30, 30)" height="24px" id="rneavCHP6" width="24px"/></g></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 11.006 0 C 13.994 0 14.368 0.013 15.547 0.069 C 16.716 0.121 17.516 0.309 18.217 0.58 C 18.939 0.86 19.553 1.238 20.164 1.848 C 20.779 2.458 21.152 3.073 21.423 3.804 C 21.694 4.5 21.884 5.304 21.936 6.473 C 21.987 7.646 22 8.02 22 11.007 C 22 13.993 21.987 14.368 21.936 15.541 C 21.884 16.71 21.694 17.509 21.423 18.21 C 21.144 18.932 20.765 19.546 20.155 20.156 C 19.544 20.767 18.93 21.145 18.208 21.424 C 17.511 21.695 16.707 21.884 15.538 21.936 C 14.364 21.987 13.99 22 11.002 22 C 8.014 22 7.64 21.987 6.466 21.936 C 5.297 21.884 4.497 21.695 3.796 21.424 C 3.074 21.145 2.459 20.767 1.849 20.156 C 1.234 19.546 0.86 18.932 0.576 18.205 C 0.305 17.509 0.116 16.705 0.064 15.536 C 0.013 14.363 0 13.989 0 11.002 C 0 8.015 0.013 7.641 0.064 6.464 C 0.116 5.295 0.305 4.495 0.576 3.795 C 0.86 3.073 1.234 2.458 1.849 1.848 C 2.459 1.233 3.074 0.859 3.8 0.576 C 4.497 0.305 5.301 0.116 6.47 0.064 C 7.644 0.013 8.018 0 11.006 0 Z M 11.006 5.351 C 7.885 5.351 5.353 7.882 5.353 11.002 C 5.353 14.122 7.885 16.654 11.006 16.654 C 14.128 16.654 16.66 14.122 16.66 11.002 C 16.66 7.882 14.128 5.351 11.006 5.351 Z M 16.884 3.808 C 16.157 3.808 15.564 4.397 15.564 5.128 C 15.564 5.854 16.153 6.447 16.884 6.447 C 17.61 6.446 18.203 5.858 18.203 5.128 C 18.203 4.402 17.61 3.808 16.884 3.808 Z" fill="rgb(30, 30, 30)" height="22px" id="ZAmdVjOui" transform="translate(1 1)" width="22px"/></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g d="M 0 24 L 0 0 L 24 0 L 24 24 Z M 24 12.072 C 24 5.445 18.627 0.072 12 0.072 C 5.373 0.072 0 5.445 0 12.072 C 0 18.062 4.388 23.026 10.125 23.927 L 10.125 15.541 L 7.078 15.541 L 7.078 12.072 L 10.125 12.072 L 10.125 9.429 C 10.125 6.421 11.917 4.76 14.658 4.76 C 15.97 4.76 17.344 4.994 17.344 4.994 L 17.344 7.947 L 15.831 7.947 C 14.34 7.947 13.875 8.872 13.875 9.822 L 13.875 12.072 L 17.203 12.072 L 16.671 15.541 L 13.875 15.541 L 13.875 23.927 C 19.612 23.026 24 18.062 24 12.072 Z" fill="transparent" height="24px" id="DQYsCJe2k" width="24px"><path d="M 0 24 L 0 0 L 24 0 L 24 24 Z" fill="transparent" height="24px" id="vHRR93twe" width="24px"/><path d="M 24 12 C 24 5.373 18.627 0 12 0 C 5.373 0 0 5.373 0 12 C 0 17.989 4.388 22.954 10.125 23.854 L 10.125 15.469 L 7.078 15.469 L 7.078 12 L 10.125 12 L 10.125 9.356 C 10.125 6.349 11.917 4.688 14.658 4.688 C 15.97 4.688 17.344 4.922 17.344 4.922 L 17.344 7.875 L 15.831 7.875 C 14.34 7.875 13.875 8.8 13.875 9.75 L 13.875 12 L 17.203 12 L 16.671 15.469 L 13.875 15.469 L 13.875 23.854 C 19.612 22.954 24 17.989 24 12 Z" fill="rgb(30, 30, 30)" height="23.8542344px" id="pXQz4u3x2" transform="translate(0 0.072)" width="24px"/></g></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g d="M 0 24 L 0 0 L 24 0 L 24 24 Z M 22.223 0 L 1.772 0 C 0.792 0 0 0.773 0 1.73 L 0 22.266 C 0 23.222 0.792 24 1.772 24 L 22.223 24 C 23.203 24 24 23.222 24 22.27 L 24 1.73 C 24 0.773 23.203 0 22.223 0 Z M 7.12 20.452 L 3.558 20.452 L 3.558 8.995 L 7.12 8.995 Z M 5.339 7.434 C 4.195 7.434 3.272 6.511 3.272 5.372 C 3.272 4.233 4.195 3.309 5.339 3.309 C 6.478 3.309 7.402 4.233 7.402 5.372 C 7.402 6.506 6.478 7.434 5.339 7.434 Z M 20.452 20.452 L 16.894 20.452 L 16.894 14.883 C 16.894 13.556 16.87 11.845 15.042 11.845 C 13.191 11.845 12.909 13.294 12.909 14.789 L 12.909 20.452 L 9.356 20.452 L 9.356 8.995 L 12.769 8.995 L 12.769 10.561 L 12.816 10.561 C 13.289 9.661 14.452 8.709 16.181 8.709 C 19.786 8.709 20.452 11.081 20.452 14.166 L 20.452 20.452 Z" fill="transparent" height="24px" id="TJq3BeHfC" width="24px"><path d="M 0 24 L 0 0 L 24 0 L 24 24 Z" fill="transparent" height="24px" id="uCLcBIuWB" width="24px"/><path d="M 22.223 0 L 1.772 0 C 0.792 0 0 0.773 0 1.73 L 0 22.266 C 0 23.222 0.792 24 1.772 24 L 22.223 24 C 23.203 24 24 23.222 24 22.27 L 24 1.73 C 24 0.773 23.203 0 22.223 0 Z M 7.12 20.452 L 3.558 20.452 L 3.558 8.995 L 7.12 8.995 Z M 5.339 7.434 C 4.195 7.434 3.272 6.511 3.272 5.372 C 3.272 4.233 4.195 3.309 5.339 3.309 C 6.478 3.309 7.402 4.233 7.402 5.372 C 7.402 6.506 6.478 7.434 5.339 7.434 Z M 20.452 20.452 L 16.894 20.452 L 16.894 14.883 C 16.894 13.556 16.87 11.845 15.042 11.845 C 13.191 11.845 12.909 13.294 12.909 14.789 L 12.909 20.452 L 9.356 20.452 L 9.356 8.995 L 12.769 8.995 L 12.769 10.561 L 12.816 10.561 C 13.289 9.661 14.452 8.709 16.181 8.709 C 19.786 8.709 20.452 11.081 20.452 14.166 L 20.452 20.452 Z" fill="rgb(30, 30, 30)" height="24px" id="LbFu6CBwW" width="24px"/></g></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g d="M 0 24 L 0 0 L 24 0 L 24 24 Z M 14.233 10.163 L 22.971 0.006 L 20.9 0.006 L 13.313 8.825 L 7.253 0.006 L 0.264 0.006 L 9.427 13.342 L 0.264 23.994 L 2.334 23.994 L 10.347 14.68 L 16.746 23.994 L 23.736 23.994 L 14.232 10.163 Z M 11.397 13.46 L 10.468 12.132 L 3.081 1.565 L 6.261 1.565 L 12.223 10.093 L 13.151 11.421 L 20.901 22.506 L 17.72 22.506 L 11.397 13.46 Z" fill="transparent" height="24px" id="rZa1pfY5S" width="24px"><path d="M 0 24 L 0 0 L 24 0 L 24 24 Z" fill="transparent" height="24px" id="VyhHx092F" width="24px"/><path d="M 13.969 10.157 L 22.707 0 L 20.636 0 L 13.049 8.819 L 6.989 0 L 0 0 L 9.164 13.336 L 0 23.988 L 2.071 23.988 L 10.083 14.674 L 16.483 23.988 L 23.472 23.988 L 13.968 10.157 Z M 11.133 13.454 L 10.204 12.126 L 2.817 1.559 L 5.997 1.559 L 11.959 10.087 L 12.888 11.415 L 20.637 22.5 L 17.457 22.5 L 11.133 13.454 Z" fill="rgb(30, 30, 30)" height="23.98764062px" id="JdjrBuUno" transform="translate(0.264 0.006)" width="23.471928000000002px"/></g></svg>)
COPYRIGHT 2025, american operator