He Owns a Party Bus Company (But He’s 12 Years Sober)
Thu Feb 05 2026
Johnny Joy is the owner of The Local Motive, the most recognizable party bus service in Colorado Springs. But there is a catch: he is 12 years sober.
In this episode, Johnny opens up about the "paradox" of running a business built on alcohol while living a life built on sobriety. We discuss the terrifying morning in 2014 that changed his life forever, why he believes entrepreneurs suffer in silence, and how he turned a spray-painted bus into a community revolution.
If you are an entrepreneur feeling stuck or looking for a sign to keep going, this conversation is for you.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more stories from the top business minds in Colorado.
Chapters:
00:00 The "Sober Party Bus" Paradox
14:29 Waking Up Battered: The Moment Everything Changed
18:30 The Reality of Getting Sober (It Wasn't a Parade)
25:00 How The Local Motive Feeds the Local Economy
30:31 The Entrepreneur’s Struggle: "I Don't Know If I Can Do This"
42:42 Why Johnny is Happier Now Than Ever Before
49:09 The "Old Drunk" Story & The Power of Vulnerability
58:20 Why Community is the Only Moat That Matters
01:07:05 Breaking the "Woe is Me" Mindset
01:09:39 Where to Find The Locomotive
CONNECT WITH JOHNNY:
Website: localmotivebus.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localmotivebus/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555940834108
CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS: COS Business Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ColoradoBusinessPodcast
ABOUT THE PODCAST: The Colorado Business Podcast is the #1 business podcast in Colorado, highlighting the entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders driving our local economy.
#Entrepreneurship #Sobriety #ColoradoSprings #Business #TheLocomotive #MentalHealth #SmallBusiness
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Johnny Joy is the owner of The Local Motive, the most recognizable party bus service in Colorado Springs. But there is a catch: he is 12 years sober. In this episode, Johnny opens up about the "paradox" of running a business built on alcohol while living a life built on sobriety. We discuss the terrifying morning in 2014 that changed his life forever, why he believes entrepreneurs suffer in silence, and how he turned a spray-painted bus into a community revolution. If you are an entrepreneur feeling stuck or looking for a sign to keep going, this conversation is for you. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more stories from the top business minds in Colorado. Chapters: 00:00 The "Sober Party Bus" Paradox 14:29 Waking Up Battered: The Moment Everything Changed 18:30 The Reality of Getting Sober (It Wasn't a Parade) 25:00 How The Local Motive Feeds the Local Economy 30:31 The Entrepreneur’s Struggle: "I Don't Know If I Can Do This" 42:42 Why Johnny is Happier Now Than Ever Before 49:09 The "Old Drunk" Story & The Power of Vulnerability 58:20 Why Community is the Only Moat That Matters 01:07:05 Breaking the "Woe is Me" Mindset 01:09:39 Where to Find The Locomotive CONNECT WITH JOHNNY: Website: localmotivebus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localmotivebus/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555940834108 CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS: COS Business Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ColoradoBusinessPodcast ABOUT THE PODCAST: The Colorado Business Podcast is the #1 business podcast in Colorado, highlighting the entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders driving our local economy. #Entrepreneurship #Sobriety #ColoradoSprings #Business #TheLocomotive #MentalHealth #SmallBusiness