Independence by Design™

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   

Joining the chat is Patrick Donohue, an investor and author known for simplifying financial decision-making for entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the crucial difference between cash flow and traditional metrics, arguing that managing free cash flow is key to real wealth. Patrick reveals the pitfalls of relying on confusing financial jargon and shares insights on structuring finances to support ownership goals. He also warns against the risky nature of fintech funding and encourages networking for informed decision-making. Truly a must-listen for business owners!

Most business owners go through a pivotal moment—their first real look behind the curtain at how buyers value companies. For Rens Hayes, that moment came when he went through a sale and due diligence process for his father’s structural steel business. What he learned from that experience completely changed how he approached building and scaling his own company, H&O Structural Engineering. Watch on YouTube In this episode of Independence by Design™, Rens and I break down how he engineered his business for value creation, using Ken Sanginario’s Engineer’s Value Opportunity Profile (VOP) as his roadmap. Instead of scaling haphazardly, Rens built his company by systematically improving the eight functional areas that drive business valuation—the same areas buyers care about most.   Rens and his partner have taken a deliberate approach to aligning cash flow, valuation timelines, and growth goals, ensuring that every dollar reinvested moves them closer to financial independence. Whether you are preparing for an eventual exit or simply want to build a business that works for you instead of the other way around, this conversation is packed with insights that will change the way you think about scaling, hiring executives, and managing risk.Rens Hayes is a structural engineer and entrepreneur who transformed H&O Structural Engineering by applying enterprise value principles to modernize the traditional engineering industry. After experiencing due diligence firsthand, he shifted from operator to owner mindset, implementing Ken Sanginario's Value Opportunity Profile to align business growth with long-term value creation. Hayes helps real estate developers maximize returns through strategic design and cost-efficient engineering, while sharing insights on scaling, capital allocation, and executive hiring—expertise valuable for business owners seeking to build wealth-generating enterprises rather than just larger companies.Chapters:   (00:00) Ryan and Rens reconnect after several years and discuss their shared experience in Ken Sanginario's CVGA training program  (02:16) Rens’ journey with H&O Structural Engineering and his decision to not take over his family's steel business  (04:07) The importance of organized financial data and M&A understanding  (07:10) Ken's eight business functions framework and how small business owners often excel in only a few areas  (11:24) Risk assessment and the strategic approach to capital deployment in business growth  (15:19) Personal drive, potential, and the relationship between noble goals and motivation  (21:47) Rens' relationship with co-founder Jeremiah  (34:23) Marketing strategy in professional services, development of compelling offers  (43:13) Data-driven decision-making in marketing and sales efforts  (49:51) Transitioning from founder-led to executive team leadership  (56:47) Open book management and team-wide bonus structures tied to company performance  (1:31:47) Developing a predictable revenue engine as a foundation for strategic 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: H&O Structural Engineering  LinkedIn: Rens Hayes  Podcast: The H&O 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:  "Scaling a business isn’t just about revenue—it’s about building an asset buyers actually want." – Rens Hayes  "The biggest mistake founders make? Hiring executives before they know what success looks like." – Ryan Tansom  "If you don’t know how to allocate capital inside your own business, you’re just hoping for growth—not engineering it." – Rens Hayes  "There’s a difference between working in the business and working on the business. The sooner you figure that out, the sooner you get your time back." – Ryan Tansom   

In a world full of business jargon and complicated metrics, free cash flow stands out as the foundation of value creation for both owner-operators and investors. kXVm3nQBij8  Watch on YouTube Ken Sanginario returns to focus on this core principle, unpacking the noise around financial metrics and zeroing in on sustainable free cash flow—cash available after debt, taxes, and working capital. Together, we demystify the jargon that often confuses owner-operators and show how prioritizing free cash flow is the key to growing value over time. We explore how Ken’s VOP system helps business owners identify where to place their time and reinvestment to maximize value while freeing themselves from the grind of day-to-day operations. By understanding how to measure and optimize free cash flow, owner-operators can shift from being laborers in their businesses to being true owners of a valuable asset. This episode builds on everything we’ve discussed in recent episodes—valuations, owner-operator goals, buyer goals, deal structures—and ties it to a core principle: sustainable free cash flow is the outcome of a well-run business that creates value with its time, resources, and strategy. If you’re ready to simplify the noise, focus on what matters, and start building a business that works for you, this episode is your guide. Ken Sanginario is the founder of Corporate Value Metrics and the creator of the Value Opportunity Profile (VOP), a tool that helps business owners identify where to focus their time and resources to grow sustainable value. Ken specializes in simplifying complex financial and operational concepts, empowering owners to take control of their business’s future. Chapters:  (00:00) Introduction, free cash flow and business value (05:41) Misleading business valuations and multiples in the marketplace (08:25) Deal structures and the reality of business transactions (12:00) Weighted average cost of capital and business financing concepts, the relationship between debt, equity, and optimal capital structure (16:00) How opportunity cost and investment returns inform business decisions (24:17) Return on equity versus cash flow metrics, valuing business cash flows and taxation (34:32) Analyzing financial metrics and opportunity costs, using IRR (41:08) Balancing owner distributions with business reinvestment needs (49:40) Connecting financial projections with operational constraints, sustainable cash flow in building business value (1:06:28) How business owners navigate expert advice and competing priorities, owner vs. operators (1:13:00) Creating sustainable growth through business balance (1:15:27) Closing thoughts on improving business owner outcomes and education 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://www.corporatevalue.net/ Ken Sanginario LinkedInVOP Value Growth Software Episode 425: “Unlocking Business Value: Practical Tools for Growth and Ownership Goals with Ken Sanginario & John Lawlor” Episode 426: “Understanding Buyers: How Ownership Structures Shape M&A Goals with Jeff Buettner” Episode 427: “Navigating Deal Structures: The Hidden Factors That Impact Your Proceeds with Dave Diehl” 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 “All the jargon boils down to one thing: free cash flow. It’s what every owner and every investor cares about.” – Ryan Tansom “Free cash flow isn’t just a metric—it’s the ultimate outcome of a well-run business that uses time and resources effectively.” – Ken Sanginario “Money is stored time, and time is your most valuable resource. Focus your energy where it creates the highest value.” – Ryan Tansom