Independence by Design™

This episode is fire. Elliott Holland is a straight shooter who has seen hundreds of deals from every angle—searcher, investor, operator, and QofE provider. In this conversation, we cut through the noise to talk about what’s really going on in the acquisition market, why most self-funded searchers fail, and how owners can actually position their business (and themselves) for the next chapter.  Watch on YouTube  We dig into why most companies don’t cash flow the way owners think they do, how the wrong expectations destroy good deals, and what it takes to bridge the gap between buyers and sellers. Elliott shares what he’s seeing across the market through his firm Guardian Due Diligence, why real cash matters more than reported EBITDA, and what kind of leaders are needed to keep growing Main Street businesses when the owner steps away.   Whether you're trying to step back, prepare for an exit, or find the right leader to replace you, this episode reframes how to think about buyers, successors, and what actually makes a company valuable in today's market. It's a must-listen if you're planning your next move—or still figuring out what it should be.  This conversation ties directly into the Elevate phase of the iBD™ Magic Model—helping owners replace themselves, build strategic leadership, and unlock true independence across time, cash flow, and equity.  Key Takeaways  - Cash is king, not EBITDA. Owners need real cash flow clarity before thinking about transitions, exits, or valuations.  - Searchers aren’t the enemy—they’re the key. When structured properly, acquisition entrepreneurs may be the best shot at long-term succession.  - The traditional brokered exit path is broken. Creative deal structures, mentorship windows, and phased transitions are underutilized but powerful.  - Risk must be shared. Deals fall apart when expectations aren’t aligned and buyers are asked to shoulder too much risk without support.  - Succession planning starts now. The sooner you clean up your numbers and clarify your leadership gap, the more optionality you’ll create.   Elliott Holland is the founder of Guardian Due Diligence, where he helps acquisition entrepreneurs avoid lemons and close deals with confidence. He’s reviewed hundreds of financials, run his own deals, and coached dozens of buyers through the self-funded acquisition gauntlet. Elliott’s no-BS approach cuts through bad data, bad deals, and bad advice—and his coaching programs help real operators buy real businesses the right way. With deep roots in private equity, small business ownership, and financial diligence, Elliott brings the rare perspective of someone who’s seen both sides of the table and knows what it really takes to succeed.   Chapters:   (00:00) How Elliott built a seven-figure business with zero employees  (06:05) SBA loan changes and their impact on the acquisition market  (08:52) US business landscape: key market statistics and buyer-seller dynamics  (13:18) Small business valuations vs retirement needs: the math problem  (17:55) Signal vs noise: cutting through marketing hype in entrepreneurship  (21:15) Cash vs EBITDA: the fundamental truth of business transactions  (30:37) The Independence Flywheel: balancing time, cash flow and equity  (37:19) AI and clear principles: the keys to better business decision-making  (47:30) The leadership gap: finding qualified executives in today's market  (54:31) Creative acquisition models: partial buyouts and leadership transitions  (1:04:15) Reconciling business owner goals with financial realities  (1:14:15) The war for talent and identifying unicorn executives  (1:23:00) Bridging the gap between owners and acquisition entrepreneurs  (1:32:00) Building trust and shared risk in business succession planning  (1:38:00) The importance of deep conversations and earned freedom  Rate, comment, and share with the owner/operators you know!    Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.  Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.  Resources: Elliott Holland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliottholland/ Guardian Due Diligence: https://www.guardianduediligence.com The Business Buying Masterclass: https://www.businessbuymasterclass.com IBD Owner’s Scorecard: Time, Cash Flow, Equity trade-offs https://ryantansom.com/clarify-goals Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop  Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/ Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/ Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8   Sound Bites  “EBITDA doesn’t pay the debt. Cash does.”  “Owners want out. Acquisition entrepreneurs want in. There’s a massive opportunity to meet in the middle—if we structure it right.”  “Most people are fishing in a pond with no fish. Then they blame the bait.”  “You don’t just buy the business. You buy the risk. And the risk has to be shared.” 

Most business owners are exhausted by marketing that feels like a black box—random tactics, disconnected agencies, and no clear ROI. Kim Clark knows that pain—and she’s built the solution. As the former head of sales and marketing at ITR Economics, Kim helped transform the business from a founder-led consulting firm into a scalable company that exited at eight figures—without relying on Brian or Alan Beaulieu to drive growth. She didn’t just market a product—she built a fully integrated inbound system and tied every activity to measurable outcomes like revenue, value, and cash flow.  Watch on YouTube  In this episode, Kim and I break down the system she used to do it. We walk through how to structure your sales and marketing around your actual business model, how to build a funnel that produces qualified leads, and how to track every activity back to business impact. Kim shares how one of her recent campaigns drove $1.3M in attributable revenue—and why she could track it all the way back to specific marketing activities.    If you’ve ever wondered what a real marketing engine looks like—or how to finally get clarity between sales, marketing, and your growth goals—this is the blueprint. It directly supports the "Maximize Growth" pillar under Build a Valuable Business inside the iBD™ Magic Model.   Kim Clark is a sales and marketing strategist who helped scale ITR Economics from a founder-led advisory firm to a professionally managed company that exited at eight figures. As head of sales and marketing, she built the firm’s first CRM, content strategy, and inbound engine—moving the company from personality-based selling to a system built on data, automation, and strategic execution. Today, she works with business owners to build marketing engines that align with their strategy, team, and long-term cash flow goals—so they can grow without chaos and delegate without losing visibility. Her frameworks are directly aligned with the "Maximize Growth" track inside the Build a Valuable Business module of the iBD™ Magic Model.   Chapters:   (00:00) Introduction of guest Kim Clark, discussion of her marketing background  (04:09) Paid social ads and effective marketing spend alternatives  (08:56) Starting with assessment in the marketing playbook process  (14:41) The early days: no CRM, no strategy, just Excel sheets and binders  (19:47) Measuring and tracking marketing efforts with proper benchmarks  (24:36) Understanding customer psychology through developing buyer personas  (32:05) Using rolling 12-month data to analyze marketing performance trends  (35:16) Connecting funnel stages to real metrics, cash, and value  (43:56) Creating nurture campaigns and interview-based content development  (47:38) Why automation, content, and tools don't matter without strategy  (49:47) Click-through rates and developing content that drives action  (54:05) Content cadence and campaign structure for sustainable growth  (59:22) Value-focused content that addresses specific customer pain points  (1:07:54) Integrating industry analysis into marketing planning and execution  (1:19:39) Cost-effective marketing coaching versus traditional executive hiring  Rate, comment, and share with the owner/operators you know!    Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.  Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.   Resources: Website: https://v2amarketing.com/  LinkedIn: Kimberly Clark  Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop  Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/ Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/ Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8   Sound Bites  “It’s not that most businesses are doing marketing wrong—they just have the pieces in the wrong order.”  “Good marketing isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things, in the right order, with the resources you actually have.”  “If your marketing isn’t tied to revenue, value, and cash flow—you’re not building an asset, you’re just spending money.”   

This episode sets the bar. Pat Hobby, my former business partner, is one of the best CFOs I’ve ever worked with. He’s not just a CPA or an operator—he brings an investor mindset and decades of experience managing financials with the purpose of building long-term value. In this conversation, we break down exactly what a business owner should expect from a high-performing CFO—and why most don’t even know what that standard looks like. Watch on YouTube  We cover the difference between accounting and finance, what good financials actually look like, and why clean books are just the beginning. Pat walks through how to build an effective monthly reporting package, how to integrate the three financial statements, what capital allocation looks like when it’s done well, and how to run a value gap analysis that ties directly to the owner's long-term goals.   If you’ve ever wondered what your CFO should really be doing—or what financial clarity should actually feel like—this episode is your blueprint. This is the gold standard.  Pat Hobby is a seasoned CFO, CPA, and the founder of The CFO Advantage, a fractional CFO firm that helps business owners gain true financial clarity and use their numbers to drive long-term value. He was also the cofounder of Ryan Tansom’s former business, where they built a fractional CFO model serving dozens of clients across multiple industries. Pat has guided companies through ESOPs, private equity transactions, and complex financial transitions, always bringing an investor mindset and operational discipline to the finance function. He’s known for making complex financials simple, actionable, and aligned with ownership strategy.   Chapters:   (00:00) Why this episode matters for every owner   (07:45) Pat’s journey from CPA to CFO with an investor mindset  (08:07) Strategic partnership between CFOs and business owners  (12:00) Importance of clean financial statements for decisions  (15:36) CFO roles versus controller responsibilities and paths  (22:29) Developing accurate monthly budgeting and forecasting  (31:31) Balance sheet: foundation for accurate financial reporting  (38:40) Normalized EBITDA and understanding true business value  (43:41) Annual budgeting, forecasting, and managing trade-offs  (1:07:11) Long-term planning, value creation, and independence  Rate, comment, and share with the owner/operators you know!    Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.  Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.  Resources: Website: https://cfo-advantage.com/ LinkedIn: Pat Hobby Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop  Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/ Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/ Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8   Sound Bites  "The CFO’s job is to make sure the financials are actionable—not just accurate." - Pat Hobby  "Clean books matter, but if you don’t know how to use the numbers to run the business, they’re not helping you." - Pat Hobby  "You can’t do capital allocation or drive value growth if your statements aren’t integrated and you don’t have a forecast." - Ryan Tansom 

Many owner-operators begin their journey driven by the vision of personal and financial independence, only to find themselves entrenched in the daily operations, unable to step away without fear of chaos. In this episode, I talk with Rob Dube, co-founder of ImageOne and visionary behind The 10 Disciplines for Managing and Maximizing Your Energy™, about how to break free from the owner-operator trap and achieve genuine ownership freedom. Watch on YouTube Rob did what most business owners only dream about—he built a business that runs without him and stepped into a life of total operational freedom. We dig into how he structured his team, managed the emotional transition, and aligned his business with his personal goals. We also unpack what it really means to live out the promise of ownership independence, and how that journey led to his next act: partnering with Gino Wickman.  This conversation resonates strongly with me because Rob's story is the real-life embodiment of what the Independence by Design™ framework is all about. For anyone stuck in the grind, wondering if it's truly possible to step back and still build something meaningful—this episode proves it is. Rob Dube is the co-founder of ImageOne, recognized as a Forbes Small Giant and a leader in building owner-independent businesses. He’s also the creator of The 10 Disciplines™, a proven method helping entrepreneurs gain control over their energy and attention to maximize business and personal success. Rob’s practical strategies empower business owners to structure their organizations in ways that allow them to step back, build sustainable wealth, and create lasting legacies.  Chapters:   (00:00) Introduction: Escaping the Owner-Operator Trap with Rob Dube of ImageOne  (04:20) The value of podcasting in connecting with amazing people  (09:20) Pandemic-era business challenges and pivotal conversations  (16:40) The four key activities Rob now focuses on in his work  (19:20) Managing energy and understanding its impact on decision-making  (28:28) Breaking free from the entrepreneur's constant struggle for control  (34:54) Being patient and allowing business opportunities to unfold naturally  (43:04) The importance of vibrating high versus low in your business  (48:20) Achieving clarity about what truly drives your business decisions  (53:01) Time as our greatest asset and how to leverage it effectively  (59:03) Building a strong foundation through the 10 disciplines  (01:04:37) Navigating Business Ownership With Trust  (01:12:29) Final thoughts, what it's like being on the board of your own company  Rate, comment, and share with the owner/operators you know!    Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.   Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.  Resources: Website: www.imageoneway.com LinkedIn: Rob Dube Shed and Shine Podcast: https://www.the10disciplines.com/podcast Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop  Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/ Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/ Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8 

Today I'm talking with Shannon Susko, a serial entrepreneur who developed the 3HAG (3-Year Highly Achievable Goal) and Metronomics frameworks. What sets Shannon's approach apart is how directly it connects your strategic plan and execution rhythms to clear, measurable financial outcomes. It's an operating system built specifically for business owners who understand their numbers but want greater clarity on how daily decisions impact long-term value. Watch on YouTube In this episode, Shannon explains exactly how to align your team’s strategic actions with the financials, creating predictability in your business. We cover the specifics of her methodology and why integrating financial clarity into your strategic planning process is critical for creating real operational independence. If you want to build a business that’s both scalable and owner-independent, Shannon provides straightforward, practical insights you can apply immediately.Shannon Susko is an accomplished entrepreneur and creator of the 3HAG and Metronomics systems, uniquely focused on integrating strategic execution with financial clarity. She has successfully scaled and exited multiple businesses and now advises business leaders globally on how to align their strategic planning directly with measurable financial results, making owner independence achievable and sustainable.Chapters:  (00:00) Introduction To Shannon Susco And Her Metronomics System (07:11) The 3HAG Way Filling Critical Strategy Gaps (10:44) Connecting Long-Term Vision With Practical Execution (14:28) Why Forecasting Cash First Creates Business Confidence (20:22) How Strategy Mapping Led To A Premium Acquisition (25:38) Understanding Value Creation From The Ownership Lens (30:20) The Definition Of Strategy And Creating a Unique Position (35:10) Building The Core Customer Knowledge System (40:09) Creating An A Player Leadership Team For Growth (45:30) How Clear Goals Make Accountability Objective Not Personal (53:12) Breaking Free From Working In The Business (01:00:13) Empowering Owners To Let Go With Confidence (01:10:00) Closing Thoughts, Getting in Touch with Shannon Rate, comment, and share with the owner/operators you know! Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast. Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around. Resources:Shannon Susko WebsiteShannon Susko LinkedInIndependence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coachingRyan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansomRyan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansomRyan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8 Sound Bites “Strategic planning is meaningless unless everyone knows how it directly affects the financial outcomes we’re aiming for.” – Shannon Susko “True operational freedom comes when your strategic rhythms match up perfectly with clear financial targets.” – Ryan Tansom “Predictable growth isn’t a mystery—it's the result of aligning strategic actions with your numbers.” – Shannon Susko

SBA loans have always been a key tool for financing business acquisitions, but recent changes have opened up new opportunities for both buyers and sellers. If you're thinking about selling your business, acquiring one, or financing a transition, these updates could have a major impact on your strategy.  Watch on YouTube In this episode, I sit down with John Thwing ("The SBA Guy") from Live Oak Bank to break down the biggest changes, including how SBA loans now allow for partial buy-ins, why internal transitions are more viable than ever, and what banks are really looking for when funding deals.   We also dive into how liquidity is often a bigger risk factor than leverage, why most business owners overestimate their company’s valuation, and how to structure financing to align buyer and seller incentives.   If you’re considering a transition and want to understand how SBA loans fit into the picture, this episode will give you the insights you need to make a smart, strategic move.  John Thwing ("The SBA Guy") is an SBA lending expert with decades of experience helping buyers acquire businesses through structured financing. As a leader at Live Oak Bank, one of the nation’s largest SBA lenders, he specializes in creative deal structuring, working capital strategies, and helping acquisition entrepreneurs navigate the loan process. Over the years, he’s funded hundreds of business purchases and has become a go-to resource for anyone looking to buy or sell a business using SBA financing.   Chapters:   (00:00) Introduction: Why SBA Loans Create Life-Changing Events  (07:16) Understanding The Financial Story Your Business Tells  (17:47) Three Types Of Buyers In The SBA Acquisition Market  (26:05) How Post-COVID Business Trends Impact Bank Decisions  (32:13) What Makes A Business Viable For SBA Acquisition  (41:50) Liquidity Vs Leverage: The Risk Dynamic Most Miss  (46:15) Breaking Free From The Owner-Operator Financial Trap  (50:29) Why Working Capital Makes Or Breaks Acquisition Deals  (1:01:48) Internal Vs External Buyers Transition Risk Assessment  (1:16:03) New SBA Partial Buy-In Rules Creating Flexible Exits  (1:26:06) Matching Capital Structure To Real Business Goals  (1:31:03) Final Advice For Healthy Transitions While Still Growing  Tune in next week for Shannon Susko of Metronomics  Rate, comment, and share with the owner/operators you know!    Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.  Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.  Resources:  Live Oak Bank https://liveoakbank.com John Thwing LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnthwing Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop  Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/ Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/ Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8   Sound Bites  “Most small business owners take out almost all of their profits—but that doesn’t mean the business can support a leveraged buyout.” – John Thwing  “Buyers should always be looking at probable deals, not just possible ones. A lot of what you hear online is technically possible, but it’s not how banks actually fund deals.” – John Thwing  “The balance sheet tells the long-term story of a business. The income statement is the spigot, but the real health of a company is in the tub—the balance sheet.” – John Thwing  “If a seller waits too long to exit, the business’s health can deteriorate beyond what’s fundable. You don’t want to try selling when things are trending downward.” – Ryan Tansom 

The economy is shifting fast, and if you’re a middle-market business owner, the moves you make today will define your future—whether that’s navigating capital markets, securing financing, or making critical reinvestment decisions. Watch on YouTube In this Quarterly Economic & M&A Update, I bring together three powerhouse guests to give you real-time insights you won’t find in mainstream media.  Alan Beaulieu from ITR Economics shares the latest economic data and leading indicators to help you anticipate what’s coming next.  Jeff Buettner from ButcherJoseph breaks down the current state of M&A—who’s buying, what’s happening with valuations, and how financing trends are shifting.  Joe Brown from Heresy Financial takes us deeper into the macroeconomic landscape—government debt, money supply growth, and how it all ties back to your business decisions.   If you’re a business owner looking to understand how these economic forces impact your company’s valuation, financing options, and long-term strategy, this episode is packed with timely and practical insights.  Alan Beaulieu is a Consulting Principal at ITR Economics, has 30 years of experience delivering economic analysis seminars and workshops to business executives worldwide. Known for his straightforward and accurate economic forecasting, Alan has co-authored influential books including "Prosperity in the Age of Decline" and "Make Your Move," which provides practical guidance on increasing profits through business cycle changes. His insights and forecasting expertise have earned him recognition in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Business Week.    Jeff Buettner is a Managing Director at ButcherJoseph with over 20 years of valuation and financial opinion services experience. He specializes in ESOP transactions, business valuations, fairness opinions, and financial restructuring across diverse industries. Previously, Jeff spent nearly a decade at Stout Risius Ross as Managing Director in ESOP Advisory Services and began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. A former board member of the National Center of Employee Ownership, Jeff serves on The ESOP Association's Valuation Advisory Committee and regularly presents at industry conferences. He holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.  Joe Brown is the CEO and Founder of Heresy Financial, a company he established in July 2019 after nearly five years at Charles Schwab as an Investment Consultant. With a mission to help people control and protect their wealth, Joe created Heresy Financial to combat excessive fees and poor investment advice. He holds a BS in Christian Studies from Arizona Christian University, where he participated in the Servant-Leader Scholar Program. Joe shares financial insights through the company's YouTube channel.  Chapters:   (00:00) Introduction - Q1 2025 economic and M&A update with three expert segments  (02:46) Alan Beaulieu on economic outlook and ITR's business cycle phases  (08:00) Analysis of M2 money supply growth and its correlation to economic performance  (14:00) Commercial real estate refinancing challenges, government debt implications,  baby boomers retiring, demographic shifts on the economy, productivity, AI, and technological innovation as economic factors  (33:00) Talent acquisition and people strategies during labor shortages  (40:30) Navigating tariffs and potential carve-outs in international trade  (45:09) Jeff Buettner on current M&A activity and financing market improvements  (53:53) Analysis of premium businesses and what buyers are looking for in acquisitions, manufacturing shifts, tariffs and international trade  (01:13:10) Impact of AI on business valuations and acquisition strategies  (01:25:00) Joe Brown discussing money supply and treasury markets  (01:35:42) Federal funds rates, understanding the four ways out of government debt situations  (01:48:17) The role of banks in debt refinancing and monetary policy, potential solutions and indicators to watch in coming quarters  Rate, comment and share with the owner/operators you know!  Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.   Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.   Resources:  Alan Beaulieu LinkedIn  ITR Economics: itreconomics.com Jeff Beuttner LinkedIn ButcherJoseph & Co.: butcherjoseph.com Heresy Financial https://www.heresy.financial/  Heresy Financial (Joe Brown’s YouTube Channel): youtube.com/heresyfinancial  Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop   Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching  Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/  Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/  Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom  Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom  Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8   Sound Bites  “We might be feeling the pain now, but understanding where things are headed helps us make better decisions for the rest of the year.” – Ryan Tansom  “The lending markets are changing—strong businesses still have access to capital, but deal structures are evolving fast.” – Jeff Buettner  “M2 money supply growth is ramping up again. If you want to understand where the economy is headed, follow the money.” – Joe Brown  “Business cycles aren’t new. The key is using data to see what’s coming, instead of reacting to headlines.” – Alan from ITR Economics 

Scaling a business isn’t just about increasing revenue—it’s about building the right leadership team to support that growth. Too often, business owners get stuck because their team isn’t structured for the future, leaving them to fill the gaps instead of leading strategically. Watch on YouTube In this episode, I sit down with Rick Rittmaster and Mike Frommelt to break down how to design a future org chart that aligns with your company’s growth trajectory. We dive into how to assess your current leadership team, identify capability gaps, and decide when to develop talent versus hiring externally.  If you’ve ever wondered how to objectively evaluate your leadership team and build a roadmap for the future, this conversation will give you a practical framework to ensure your business can scale without depending on you.Rick Rittmaster & Mike Frommelt are experts in leadership team assessment, executive search, and organizational development. With decades of experience helping business owners build future-proof companies, they specialize in identifying the right leadership team structure, assessing talent, and creating roadmaps for scaling. Their expertise helps owners build businesses that don’t rely on them—whether they plan to step back, sell, or scale to new heights.  Chapters:   (00:00) Introduction to Mike Frommelt and Rick Rittmaster from Strategic Talent Partners  (02:29) Rick shares his background in talent management and HR  (06:07) Mike explains the evolution of Strategic Talent Partners beyond recruiting  (09:11) Ryan presents the Independence by Design owners framework  (20:16) Developing a process to assess leadership teams and organizational needs, the challenge of hiring for future growth vs current needs  (25:29) Creating the organizational chart of the future based on goals  (37:42) Tools for scoping the future organizational structure and functions  (43:06) The critical hire or development decision for leadership gaps  (52:45) Developing concrete plans for leadership growth and capabilities  (01:01:09) The assessment and development process with Strategic Talent Partners  (01:31:12) Creating options for owner independence and maximizing business value  Rate, comment and share with the owner/operators you know!  Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.  Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.  Resources:  Mike Frommelt LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikefrommelt/  Rick Rittmaster LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardrittmaster/  Strategic Talent Partners  https://strategictalentpartners.com/  Previous Episode 405 Mike Frommelt  https://independence-by-design.castos.com/episodes/405-breaking-founder-dependency-how-to-assess-recruit-and-integrate-the-right-ceo-with-mike-frommelt  Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop   Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching  Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/  Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/  Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom  Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom  Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8  Sound Bites  "Most businesses make the mistake of looking at people first. You have to start with the structure you need to hit your growth goals." – Mike Frommelt  "A future org chart isn’t just a list of job titles—it’s a roadmap to a company that can grow without breaking." – Rick Rittmaster  "You’re either developing your leadership team or hiring externally—there’s no third option." – Ryan Tansom  "Building the right leadership team is the difference between owning a valuable business and just running a high-paying job." – Ryan Tansom 

More revenue, more employees, and more complexity can actually pull you deeper into the day-to-day grind—unless your business is structured the right way.  Watch on YouTube In this episode, I sit down with Nick Bradley, a business growth strategist and private equity veteran who has worked on billion-dollar deals and now helps business owners scale with purpose. We dive into the hidden traps of scaling, why private equity firms are changing their approach, and how to transition from being stuck in the business to running it like an investor.  We also get into the critical distinction between cash flow and strategic valuation, why most exit planning advice is broken, and how owners can create optionality—whether they want to sell or simply step back from the daily grind. If you’re wondering how to build a business that truly works for you, this episode is a must-listen.Nick Bradley is a business growth strategist, entrepreneur, and private equity veteran who has built, bought, and sold over 100 businesses. With a background in high-stakes M&A and multi-billion-dollar exits, he now helps business owners scale with purpose—focusing on sustainable value creation, strategic exits, and operational independence. As the host of the Scale Up with Nick Bradley podcast and a sought-after advisor, Nick specializes in transforming businesses into scalable, sellable assets while helping owners reclaim their time and financial freedom.  Chapters:   (00:00) Introduction of Nick Bradley, his background in private equity  (03:42) Discussion on exit planning and its meaning for owner-operators  (08:06) Investment bankers vs. private equity operating partners  (14:33) Nick's focus on service-based businesses and scaling strategy  (18:52) Two business types: lifestyle vs. growth-focused companies  (26:42) Addiction to goal achievement, clear personal vision before business goals  (31:29) Understanding the constraints of time, cashflow, and wealth  (40:11) The value of short-term actions and three-year planning horizons  (54:31) Lifestyle businesses, income realities for business owners in the messy middle  (01:14:45) Private equity evolution and adaptation to higher interest rates  (01:27:08) The power of niching down in service-based businesses  (01:40:45) Building a sustainable business model for uncertain times  Rate, comment and share with the owner/operators you know!    Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.  Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.  Resources:  Website: https://highvalueexit.com/  Nick Bradley LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/realnickbradley/  Scale Up with Nick Bradley – Nick’s Podcast  https://highvalueexit.com/podcast/Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop   Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching  Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/  Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/  Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom  Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom  Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8  Sound Bites  "Most business owners think the answer to growth is more—more people, more products, more complexity. The reality is, the best businesses scale by simplifying." – Nick Bradley  "If your business isn’t structured to run without you, it’s not really a business—it’s just a high-paying job." – Ryan Tansom "Private equity is evolving—strong cash-flowing businesses will be in high demand, while speculative growth bets will fade." – Nick Bradley 

Many business owners dream of building a company that thrives without them, but few understand what it takes to make that a reality—especially when facing a leadership crisis. In this episode, I sit down with Heather Braimbridge-Cox, CEO of Windings, and Bill Mills, founder of The Leadership Process™, to break down how to transform a struggling culture, develop high-performing teams, and turn an ESOP into a thriving, scalable business.  Watch on YouTube Heather shares her journey from private equity executive to leading a 100% employee-owned company through a complete turnaround—one that took engagement scores from crisis mode to elite levels, increased productivity to 99.8%, and turned a struggling manufacturing business into a cash-generating machine that now acquires other companies. Bill walks us through the leadership and execution gaps that trap so many business owners and how to build a culture where people take ownership of results.  If you're struggling to get your team fully aligned, wondering how to scale leadership beyond yourself, or considering how employee ownership (ESOPs) can create long-term value, this episode is packed with insights you can apply immediately.  Heather Braimbridge-Cox is the CEO of Windings, Inc., a 100% employee-owned precision manufacturing company. After years in private equity, she transitioned to leading an ESOP and discovered a powerful, people-driven approach to building long-term enterprise value. Under her leadership, Windings transformed from a struggling business to an industry leader, growing revenue, tripling profitability, and making strategic acquisitions. She’s passionate about financial transparency, employee ownership, and creating businesses that thrive beyond any single leader.   Bill Mills is the founder of The Leadership Process™, a system designed to eliminate execution gaps and create high-performing teams. With decades of experience coaching CEOs and leadership teams, he specializes in removing friction, increasing accountability, and building cultures that drive results. His approach has helped companies scale, reduce turnover, and create a leadership pipeline that sustains growth.  Chapters:   (00:00) Introduction of Heather Braimbridge-Cox and recap of achievements  (02:38) Heather's background in private equity and operations  (05:08) Personal journey from Jamaica to Windings CEO  (11:48) Taking over leadership of a struggling ESOP company in 2015, electric motors and unhappy customers   (18:15) Ferrari, Formula One, customer service breakdown and cultural misalignment examples  (22:30) Re-education on financials and transparent business communication  (30:35) Identifying the need for social strategy alongside growth  (40:07) Addressing organizational drama and employee interference issues  (48:53) Implementation of cross-functional teams and engagement process  (59:02) Leadership evolution and developing patience and empathy during transformation  (01:07:41) The 3-15 tool and replacing annual reviews system  (01:12:24) Measurable results: productivity increase and acquisition growth  Rate, comment and share with the owner/operators you know!  Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.    With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.  Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.  Resources: Heather Braimbridge-Cox LinkedIn Windings Inc. Bill Mills LinkedIn The Leadership Process™ TheLeadershipProcess.com ESOP Case Studies & Resources NCEO.org #420: Closing the Execution Gap: Systematize Your Culture & Step Back with Confidence Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop  Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/ Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/ Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8   Sound Bites  “If you don’t give people the tools to perform, you’ll spend your life cleaning up their messes.” – Bill Mills  “Ownership isn’t just a structure—it’s a mindset. Our employees don’t just work here. They own the outcomes.” – Heather Braimbridge-Cox  “The numbers tell the truth, but the team has to make the numbers happen.” – Ryan Tansom  “The key to sustainable success is removing drama, confusion, and misalignment so the team can focus on delivering value.” – Bill Mills