Clement Troutman, a Navy veteran and Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee in Maryland, says that “the free enterprise system is alive and well.”

But, Troutman adds, “we need to really pursue that and go and chase those dreams.”

“Because there are people waiting,” the restaurateur says. “The cures for cancer are out there, and, you know, we’re sitting on the sidelines thinking that we don’t have what it takes when we really do.”

“So whatever it is you do, go ahead and go for your dreams because if I can do it, you can do it as well,” Troutman says.

Troutman, a participant in a recent Heritage Foundation panel discussion and today’s guest on “The Daily Signal Podcast,” also discusses the panel’s topic: “Why Protecting Independence Is Vital for Opportunities and Flexibility.” (The Daily Signal is the news outlet of The Heritage Foundation.)

“When it comes to independence, this country was founded based on independence, right?” he says.

“We innately want … freedom, and free enterprise is alive and well, and it’s tied to that,” the founder of Troutman Alliance LLC adds. “Now, what does that mean? Well, [it’s] the freedom to choose, the freedom to live life on our own terms, to go where we want to go,”

On the podcast, Troutman discuss his businesses, his advice to those interested in opening their own business, and the Labor Department’s recently proposed overtime rule.

Listen to the podcast below:

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