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 systems mindset Michael brought from tour management and church leadership into the trades
- Scaling a family business from 21 to 45 employees in under a year — and choosing not to acquire it
- What it really took to buy and operate his own business a year later
- Why communication and emotional intelligence are underrated tools in business
- The value of boring businesses with real moats — and what makes glass so resilient
- Lessons in leadership, operating, and building a team that maximizes you time
Michael’s story is a reminder that every operator brings a unique backstory to the table — and that ownership, at its core, about listening, responding, and helping others thrive.
Real stories. Real ownership. Real lessons from the field.
This is American Operator.

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