Independence by Design

In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Brandon Hall, an expert who has conducted over 1,500 business valuations across a wide range of industries. We dive deep into the importance of understanding and controlling the value of your business. Brandon shares his journey from a corporate accountant to a trusted advisor in the valuation space, reflecting on the lessons he’s learned from his extensive experience, especially in working with small to medium-sized businesses.  We break down the three primary valuation methods: income-based valuations (with a focus on cash flow), asset-based valuations (looking at tangible assets), and market-based valuations (comparing similar businesses in the market). I place particular emphasis on cash flow valuations, which are the most actionable and controllable by business owners like you. We discuss why understanding and managing your cash flow is crucial—not just for keeping the lights on but for driving long-term growth, strategic planning, and maximizing the equity value of your business.  By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of how to take charge of your business’s valuation, why cash flow is such a critical metric, and how you can use it to make informed decisions that will help you achieve the independence you’re striving for.  Brandon Hall is the founder of BGH Valuation Services, LLC, is a seasoned valuation expert with over 2,000 business valuations under his belt. Based in Saint Michael, MN, Brandon holds a B.S. in Accounting from Saint Cloud State University and has extensive experience from his roles at Polaris Industries and Best Buy Corporate. A Certified Valuation Analyst® and Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraiser, Brandon is dedicated to helping businesses understand and maximize their value.  Chapters:   00:00 Introduction and Background - Journey from Corporate Accounting to Business Valuation  06:00 The Importance of SBA Valuations in Business Transactions 

In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Mike Frommelt, the co-founder of Strategic Talent Partners and a seasoned expert in executive search and leadership development for privately held businesses. We dive into the critical role of talent assessment and leadership development in scaling a business beyond the founder’s personal capacity. Mike shares his unique insights on how to assess a company’s leadership team, the challenges owners face when transitioning from day-to-day operations, and the importance of aligning leadership talent with ownership goals. Mike explains the differences between hiring internally versus externally, and why sometimes promoting from within isn’t always the best option. We also explore the strategic role of a CEO or president and how to identify whether someone has the capacity to think strategically and lead teams effectively. Mike's framework for evaluating leadership potential and his holistic approach to aligning talent with business goals will leave business owners equipped with actionable steps to start building a leadership team that can thrive without their constant involvement. Mike Frommelt is the is the co-founder of Strategic Talent Partners, a national executive search and leadership solutions firm. With over 20 years of experience, Mike specializes in C-level executive search and leadership development for privately held businesses. He helps companies transition from founder dependency by recruiting and integrating leadership talent aligned with ownership goals. Mike's expertise ensures organizations grow sustainably while equipping teams to thrive. Learn more at www.strategictalentpartners.com. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:20 – Mike Frommelt’s Journey and the Creation of Strategic Talent Partners 05:00 – The Challenges of Founder Dependency and Leadership Transitions 08:30 – Assessing Your Leadership Team: Internal vs. External Hires 14:15 – The Role of Strategic Thinking in Leadership 25:00 – Joel Trammell, CEO’s, and finding candidates 39:00 – Developing High-Potential Leaders from Within, What Traits to Look for in Future Leaders 42:00 – Growth Leadership Model, Assessments 51:10 – Compensation 1:00:01 – Compensation of C-Suite vs. size of company 1:11:00 - Advice for Business Owners, Final Thoughts and Call to Action 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

In this episode of Independence by Design™, Ryan Tansom is joined by Craig Rutledge, an expert in compensation strategy and the Partner at VisionLink. Craig offers valuable insights for growth-oriented business owner-operators looking to step back from daily operations and hire a CEO who can drive both cash flow and equity growth. He addresses the critical need to design compensation strategies that align the goals of the owner with those of the leadership team, ensuring that the owner can manage the company from an ownership perspective without worrying about the stability of their income from distributions or the growth of the company’s value.  Craig discusses how to structure compensation plans that not only attract premier talent but also ensure that these leaders are motivated to make decisions that support sustainable cash flow and increase equity valuation. By linking short-term and long-term incentives directly to the owner’s financial goals, Craig helps owners confidently step back from the day-to-day operations, knowing their company is in good hands and positioned for growth. This episode is essential for business owners who want to replace themselves in operations while maintaining control over their financial future.  Craig Rutledge is the founder of VisionLink, a leading expert in compensation strategy with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in helping business owners align their leadership teams with their financial goals through innovative compensation plans. Craig’s expertise empowers owners to step back from day-to-day operations while ensuring sustainable cash flow and equity growth. His work has guided countless companies in securing long-term success.   Chapters:   00:00 Introduction and Background  04:50 Craig Rutledge from VisionLink delves into executive compensation strategies 

In this episode of Independence by Design™, Ryan Tansom is joined by Eric Roman, a former dentist turned entrepreneur and business coach, who shares his powerful story of building and exiting a successful dental service organization (DSO) worth $40 million. Despite his company’s impressive valuation, Eric felt cash flow broke and balance sheet rich, struggling with significant personal life issues. He believed the only way to solve his problems was to sell the business and pull the ripcord. However, after the exit, he realized that selling the business didn’t resolve the deeper issues in his personal life.  Eric dives into the challenges of managing growth, the impact of business on personal life, and how implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) transformed his business. He also reflects on how he wishes he had an ownership framework like Independence by Design™ to guide him on the ownership side of decision-making, which could have provided the clarity he needed beyond the operational insights of EOS. Eric discusses the importance of having a personal operating system and how the One Life System helps entrepreneurs achieve both professional and personal success. Throughout the episode, Eric offers insights into balancing business demands with family life, the significance of personal clarity, and the necessity of having a support system to navigate the entrepreneurial journey.  Eric Roman has over a decade of experience running high-powered, multi-location dental companies. From inception through exit, Eric understands all facets of what it takes to build transformational companies and, most importantly, personal joy. His breadth of expertise covers topics such as Executive team development, EOS (The Entrepreneurial Operating System), Culture Development, Managing Millennial and Post-Millennial Workforces, Developing High-Performing Associate Dentists, Work-Life Harmony, Personal Performance Habits, and much more. However, Eric's value isn't limited to his accomplishments: He has a unique ability to inspire and empower others to live abundant, impactful lives.  Chapters:   00:00 Eric Roman's journey scaling his dental practice to $40M valuation  06:49 EOS in Transforming Business Operations, Balancing Business Success with Personal Fulfillment 

In this episode of Independence by Design™, Ryan Tansom sits down with Roger Roundy, a tax mitigation strategist with a unique approach to helping business owners keep more of their hard-earned money. Roger explains the three phases of wealth—accumulation, preservation, and distribution—and how each phase requires different tax mitigation strategies to maximize wealth. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the tax code as a set of incentives designed to encourage certain behaviors rather than something to be feared. Roger argues that when properly understood, the tax code allows business owners to legally and ethically partner with the government to reduce their tax liabilities, all while staying in compliance with audit protection.  Throughout the episode, Roger shares his journey of becoming a "tax architect," detailing how his firm helps small to mid-sized businesses utilize the same tax-saving techniques employed by Fortune 500 companies. Listeners will gain insights into various tax mitigation strategies, the distinction between tax preparation and tax strategy, and how to proactively manage taxes throughout the wealth-building journey. Roger also discusses why his solutions are audit-proof, eliminate any grey areas, and show how business owners can leverage a team of advisors to optimize their financial strategy. Roger Roundy is the CEO of Strategic Associates a Risk Mitigation firm focused primarily on the education and implementation of tax mitigation strategies. Throughout his years of risk management and tax mitigation services, Roger has helped 100’s of business owners and individuals find solutions to protect their incomes from the wealth-eroding factors of risk and taxes. As the CEO and Director of Operations for Strategic Associates, Roger thrives on providing value using innovative but sound tax mitigation strategies to help his clients reduce their tax liability and provide options for properly positioning those savings. "Work hard, play harder, and provide opportunities for others to do the same" has been his M.O. during his business life. Roger has been married for 24 years and is the father to 5 wonderful children. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves to spend any spare time he can find, either biking, skiing, snowmobiling, or hunting. Life is busy, and a passion for working with other successful business owners has directed his path to tax mitigation and the extreme value and opportunity it provides to his clients.[Text Wrapping Break]

In this inaugural episode of the Independence by Design™ podcast, Ryan Tansom sits down with Joe Brown, founder of Heresy Financial, to dive deep into the intricacies of the economy and financial systems. Driven by personal experiences and a relentless curiosity, Joe explores the mainstream financial narratives and advocates for a deeper understanding of economic fundamentals. He underscores the importance of aligning financial decisions with personal values and addressing root causes of economic issues, rather than merely treating symptoms.    The discussion spans critical topics like the effects of money printing, the escalating costs of education and healthcare, and the quest for financial freedom. Joe and Ryan also dissect the evolution of money as a debt system, the value of time, and strategies for managing wealth amid inflation and taxes. They provide practical insights into business ownership, portfolio diversification, and the challenges posed by government bond refinancing and its impact on regional banks. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on mastering your financial future and understanding the system that shapes it.  Key Takeaways:  Aligning one's values with their financial decisions is crucial for personal fulfillment and moral integrity.  Understanding the root causes of economic problems is more important than focusing on symptoms.  Education and individual decision-making play a significant role in improving one's financial situation. 

In this first episode of the newly rebranded Independence by Design™ podcast, host Ryan Tansom introduces a groundbreaking ownership framework designed specifically for growth-oriented business owner-operators who seek true independence. Drawing from his personal experience of turning around and selling his family business, Ryan explains how traditional business operating systems focus on working in the business but fail to address how to work on the business to achieve the ultimate goal: independence.[Text Wrapping Break]  Ryan details the Independence by Design™ Ownership Framework, which empowers business owners to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and free themselves from the day-to-day grind. This framework is built around three essential steps:[Text Wrapping Break]  1.) Understand the Game – Shift your mindset from operator to owner and master the art of business valuations.  stron

In this first episode of the newly rebranded Independence by Design™ podcast, host Ryan Tansom introduces a groundbreaking ownership framework designed specifically for growth-oriented business owner-operators who seek true independence. Drawing from his personal experience of turning around and selling his family business, Ryan explains how traditional business operating systems focus on working in the business but fail to address how to work on the business to achieve the ultimate goal: independence.  Ryan details the Independence by Design™ Ownership Framework, which empowers business owners to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and free themselves from the day-to-day grind. This framework is built around three essential steps:  1.) Understand the Game – Shift your mindset from operator to owner and master the art of business valuations.  2.) Choose Your Game – Clarify your ownership goals and leverage a powerful ownership advisory team.  3.) Play the Game – Master the business ownership game by creating a strategic financial roadmap that links operational performance to your personal and financial goals.   Ryan emphasizes that this framework is not just about exiting your business but about designing a life of independence where your business serves your personal aspirations, allowing you to do more of what you love. This episode is a must-listen for any owner-operator who feels stuck in the day-to-day operations and wants to take control of their time, wealth, and future.  Chapters:   00:00 Introduction and Background  01:20 Ryan’s Journey: From Family Business to Creating the Ownership Framework  li