Working with Ryan has been revolutionary. I have more clarity and less anxiety regarding the financial health of my business. I’m so grateful that I can now use my new mindset, tools and knowledge to grow my company’s equity value.
Steve Schaffer
Owner, Schaffer Manufacturing
The most concrete business practice I learned and adopted in Ryan's workshop was starting to think about our company as a financial asset and realizing we can forecast the business’s value into the future. We now understand that the future cash flow and equity value are the real metrics behind the health of the company.
Anne Dougherty
Owner, ILLUME Advising
As a business owner, I sometimes get into a rhythm or maybe a rut and do things in a certain way, almost methodically. Ryan's workshop allowed me to intentionally disrupt the rhythm and look at things through a different lens.”
Jamie Gmach
Owner, Evolving Solutions
An incredible resource for M&A pros
Ryan's podcast is a weekly ritual for my team. The insights and conversation topics. Ryan and his guests touch on issues that are highly relevant and actionable. We even find ourselves simply forwarding episodes to our clients to help them navigate the exit process. Thanks for the thought leadership!
Steve Gerten
Partner & Advisor, Paradise Capital LLC
Purposeful and Authentic
Ryan never fails to deliver excellent content that is useful and helpful. He asks questions that draw the best out of his guests. Ryan is motivated to help people achieve their purpose and his enthusiasm is tangible. He brings experience and authenticity to every episode.
Jenna Fromm
CEO, Palmer Bus Service
“Ryan Tansom walks the talk. He is incredibly dedicated to helping business owners and leaders ‘grow the value of their business with an end in mind’. My Vistage Members, EOS Clients and Coaching Clients leverage Ryan’s tools, education, workshops, and podcasts. My only regret about Ryan, is that I did not meet him earlier in my professional career.”
Katina Koller
Vistage Chair and EOS© Implementor
Working with Ryan has been revolutionary. I have more clarity and less anxiety regarding the financial health of my business. I’m so grateful that I can now use my new mindset, tools and knowledge to grow my company’s equity value.
Steve Schaffer
Owner, Schaffer Manufacturing
The most concrete business practice I learned and adopted in Ryan's workshop was starting to think about our company as a financial asset and realizing we can forecast the business’s value into the future. We now understand that the future cash flow and equity value are the real metrics behind the health of the company.
Anne Dougherty
Owner, ILLUME Advising
As a business owner, I sometimes get into a rhythm or maybe a rut and do things in a certain way, almost methodically. Ryan's workshop allowed me to intentionally disrupt the rhythm and look at things through a different lens.”
Jamie Gmach
Owner, Evolving Solutions
An incredible resource for M&A pros
Ryan's podcast is a weekly ritual for my team. The insights and conversation topics. Ryan and his guests touch on issues that are highly relevant and actionable. We even find ourselves simply forwarding episodes to our clients to help them navigate the exit process. Thanks for the thought leadership!
Steve Gerten
Partner & Advisor, Paradise Capital LLC
Purposeful and Authentic
Ryan never fails to deliver excellent content that is useful and helpful. He asks questions that draw the best out of his guests. Ryan is motivated to help people achieve their purpose and his enthusiasm is tangible. He brings experience and authenticity to every episode.
Jenna Fromm
CEO, Palmer Bus Service
“Ryan Tansom walks the talk. He is incredibly dedicated to helping business owners and leaders ‘grow the value of their business with an end in mind’. My Vistage Members, EOS Clients and Coaching Clients leverage Ryan’s tools, education, workshops, and podcasts. My only regret about Ryan, is that I did not meet him earlier in my professional career.”
Katina Koller
Vistage Chair and EOS© Implementor
Unlock the Power of Being a Business Owner
While countless systems help us "work in" the business, few focus on how to "work on" the business and truly “win” the game of ownership.
How to Turn the iBD Framework into Action:
The iBD Ownership Playbook™
The iBD Ownership Playbook™is built on a decade of hands-on experience, actionable strategies, and the proven Independence by Design Framework™ that has helped 2,000+ business owners achieve clarity, cash flow, and confidence. The iBD Ownership Playbook™ is built on three steps to align your business operations with your personal goals for time, cash flow, and wealth: Understand the Game, Choose the Game, and Play the Game. Each step guides you to make informed decisions, reduce stress, and design a business that works for you—not the other way around.
Step 1: Understand the Game: Shift Your Mindset from Operator to Owner
Understanding the game of ownership starts with clarity about the elements that drive your long-term freedom and success. These pillars give you the knowledge and perspective needed to make decisions that align with your ultimate goals.
By understanding these pillars, you gain the clarity and confidence to evaluate how every decision impacts your time, cash flow, and wealth. This knowledge is essential for navigating the complex dynamics of business ownership and achieving true independence.
Step 2: Choose Your Game: Align Your Business with Your Ownership Goals
This is where you put your ownership clarity into action. The Ownership Roadmap guides you through the specific steps required to ensure your business operates in alignment with your personal goals for time, cash flow, and wealth.
By creating and executing your Ownership Roadmap, you’ll transform your business into a vehicle that supports your life—not the other way around. This step ensures you’re actively working toward freedom, equity, and sustainable growth.
Step 3: Play the Game: Master the Game of Business Ownership with an Ongoing Plan
This step is all about execution. The Ownership Game Plan helps you maintain alignment between your business and your ownership goals through a consistent rhythm of monthly, quarterly, and annual reviews. These routines ensure that your decisions, strategies, and operations adapt as your business evolves.
With this ongoing cadence, you’ll create a sustainable system to evaluate, adjust, and execute your ownership plan. The Game Plan provides the structure to stay proactive, address challenges, and capitalize on opportunities without losing sight of your ultimate goals.
Interested in Ownership Coaching?
The Independence by Design™ Coaching Program is for owner-operators who are ready to break free from the day-to-day grind and take their businesses —and their lives—to the next level.
You’re an ideal fit if:
- You feel stuck in operational details and want to refocus on strategic ownership.
- You’re committed to achieving personal goals for time, cash flow, and wealth but need guidance to get there.
- You value actionable insights, clear financial strategies, and a proven framework for decision-making.
- You’re motivated to align your business operations with long-term equity goals.
- You’re ready to leverage expert advice, tools, and a supportive community to achieve your vision.
I work with only 20 clients at a time to ensure each receives dedicated attention and maximum value from the program. At this time, I am only looking to take on a few additional clients who are the right fit. After that, new spots will only open as space becomes available.
If this sounds like you, let’s connect to see if we’re a good fit.
Maximum 20 Clients
Ryan Tansom
Founder of Independence by Design™
I know firsthand how challenging it can be to build and grow a business while staying true to your personal goals. That’s why I created the Independence by Design™ Framework—to help owner-operators like you navigate the complexities of running a business while creating time, cash flow, and wealth on your terms. My goal is to be a trusted guide on your journey to independence, providing the tools, insights, and support you need to make meaningful progress. Let’s work together to turn your vision into reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Independence by Design™ Framework?
The Independence by Design™ Framework is a proven system designed to align your business operations with your personal goals for time, cash flow, and wealth. It’s structured around three steps—Understand the Game, Choose Your Game, and Play the Game—each focusing on specific strategies to help you achieve independence and take control of your business.
2. Who is this coaching program for?
This program is specifically for owner-operators of privately held businesses who want to:
- Break free from being stuck in the day-to-day grind.
- Build a business that can thrive without them.
- Gain clarity on financials, cash flow, and growth strategies.
- Transition from "operator" to true "owner."
- Align their personal goals with their business operations.
I only work with 20 clients at a time to provide highly personalized coaching and support. I currently have limited availability, and new spots will only open up as space allows.
3. What makes this coaching program different from other business coaching programs?
Unlike other programs that focus solely on operations or scaling revenue, my coaching dives deep into aligning your business with your personal goals for independence. By combining:
- The iBD Framework™ for actionable strategies.
- One-on-one coaching for tailored guidance.
- Access to top-tier guest experts in areas like financial modeling, valuations, and succession planning.
- A comprehensive client portal with tools, videos, and resources. …you get a personalized roadmap to achieve sustainable cash flow, equity growth, and time freedom.
4. What kind of commitment is required to see results?
Success requires both commitment and implementation. Here’s what’s involved:
- Optional Weekly Ownership Accelerator™ calls with expert guest speakers.
- Monthly 1-on-1 coaching sessions tailored to your goals.
- Quarterly group calls for accountability and collaboration.
- In-person workshops twice a year to dive deep into your roadmap. While the time commitment varies, most clients find that investing this time saves them far more in the long run by gaining clarity, reducing stress, and unlocking opportunities.
5. How does the iBD Client Portal help me?
The iBD Client Portal, hosted on Skool, is your one-stop shop for:
- Educational videos and resources to guide your decisions.
- Tools like the iBD Ownership Scorecard™ and Roadmap to measure progress.
- Recordings of your 1-on-1 coaching calls.
- Access to additional insights and materials from guest experts. It’s designed to support you every step of the way, so you can revisit strategies and stay on track.
6. What can I expect from the weekly Ownership Accelerator™ calls?
The weekly calls are a unique feature of this program. Each week, I bring in vetted experts who specialize in key areas of the iBD Framework™, such as:
- Business valuations.
- Succession and executive compensation planning.
- Scaling sustainable cash flow. These calls are not just informative; they provide actionable takeaways you can implement immediately.
7. How do I know if I’m an ideal fit for this program?
You’re an ideal fit if you:
- Run a privately held business with a proven track record.
- Are ready to shift from “operator” to “owner.”
- Want to align your business with your personal goals for time, cash flow, and equity growth.
- Value personalized guidance, accountability, and expert insights. If you’re serious about taking your business to the next level and achieving true independence, let’s connect for a strategy call to see if this is a good fit.
8. What kind of results have other clients achieved?
Past clients have:
- Gained clarity on their financials and cash flow.
- Transitioned leadership and stepped back from daily operations.
- Aligned their business goals with personal wealth-building strategies.
- Successfully scaled or sold their business while maintaining independence. Check out the testimonials and success stories to hear more about what others have achieved.
9. What’s included in the coaching program?
Here’s what you get as part of the program:
- Weekly Ownership Accelerator™ calls with industry-leading experts.
- Monthly 1-on-1 coaching sessions with me to review goals and progress.
- Comprehensive tools and resources, including the iBD Client Portal, Scorecard, and Roadmap.
- Access to in-person workshops for hands-on collaboration.
- Ongoing accountability through quarterly calls and strategy reviews.
10. What if I can’t make every call or meeting?
I understand life and business can be unpredictable. Every call is recorded and stored in the iBD Client Portal, so you can revisit the content anytime. Additionally, our in-person workshops and quarterly calls provide opportunities to catch up and stay aligned.
11. How much does this cost and do I get started?
A monthly engagement is $1,500 and it starts with a strategy call. During this call, we’ll:
- Assess your current situation.
- Identify your biggest opportunities for growth and independence.
- Determine if this program is the right fit for your goals. If we’re aligned, you’ll join a group of driven owner-operators and get started on your journey to independence.
12. How do I secure one of the remaining spots?
Since I only take on 20 clients at a time, spots are limited. I’m currently looking to add a couple more ideal clients, after which new spots will only open up as availability allows. If you’re interested, book a strategy call today to secure your place.