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 tech sales to small business ownership. From turning around a struggling car wash, dealing with employee chaos, and learning what really matters when buying a business, TJ opens up about the realities of being an operator.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How TJ found and bought his first business with no industry experience

• The biggest challenges of running a labor-intensive business

• The surprising struggles of hiring and retaining employees

• How he negotiated with a landlord to acquire the real estate

• The craziest customer and employee horror stories from the field

If you’re thinking about buying a business, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons you won’t hear in a classroom.