Are You Stuck in the Day-to-Day Grind?
You started your business to create financial freedom and independence—but instead, you’re stuck managing operations, putting out fires, and constantly making reactive decisions.
Signs You’re Stuck in the Grind:
➡️ The solution? It’s time to step into the role of an owner.
There is a Better Way...
Scaling your business doesn’t mean just working harder—it means making ownership‒driven decisions that create freedom, financial clarity, and long‒term wealth.
The Independence by Design™ Framework helps you:
➡️ See how the iBD Framework™ guides this process.
The Business Owner's Framework to Getting Unstuck
At the heart of every business owner's journey is a constant push and pull between time, cash flow, and wealth. These three forces determine whether you’re trapped in operations or building toward true independence.
Right now, you might feel like:
- Time Constraint: Your business depends on you, leaving no time for strategy, growth, or personal freedom.
- Cash Flow Constraint: The lifeblood of your business. Predictable cash flow gives you the freedom to reinvest, take distributions, and fund your goals.
- Wealth Constraint: You’ve built a great business, but without a clear roadmap, you don’t know if it’s truly building equity—or just keeping you stuck.
The goal isn’t just to grow revenue—it’s to create Escape Velocity: a business that funds your ideal life, whether you’re working in it or not.
The Solution: Aligning Your Time, Cash Flow, and Wealth
The Independence by Design™ Framework gives you a structured process to transition from being trapped in constraints to having a business that gives you freedom, financial clarity, and long-term wealth.
This isn’t just a theory—it’s a proven path. Here’s what happens when you implement the right strategy:
- Step out of day-to-day operations while the business runs without you
- Turn cash flow into an asset that funds your freedom
- Build wealth through ownership—whether you keep, scale, or sell
iBD Ownership Flywheel™
Four Steps to Independence:
Build a Business That Runs Without You
The Independence by Design™ Framework provides a structured path to achieving true ownership freedom. Instead of being trapped in the daily grind, this framework helps business owners create a financially independent, owner-optional company by focusing on four key steps:
- Ownership Mindset – Clarify what you want from your business and align your decisions with your long-term goals.
- Financial Roadmap – Build a three-statement financial model that supports growth and sustainable cash flow.
- Value Growth Strategy – Implement strategies that increase cash flow, reduce risk, and drive enterprise value.
- Leadership Team & Pay – Develop a leadership team and compensation structure that reduces founder dependency.
Each step moves you closer to Escape Velocity—where your business creates time freedom, financial clarity, and long-term equity growth on your terms.
Why I am a Perfect Fit for Audiences of Owner-Operators
I’ve been in their shoes. I turned around a $21M family business, endured the struggles of losing nearly everything, and led an eight-figure exit. From these experiences, I’ve developed real-world lessons and proven tools that resonate with business owners navigating similar challenges. Since then, I’ve built multiple businesses, delivered over 100 keynotes, and helped more than 2,000 owner-operators design businesses that align with their personal goals.
When I take the stage, I bring stories and strategies that are as relatable as they are impactful. Whether your audience is looking for clarity, growth strategies, or a way to break free from the grind, I deliver content tailored to their needs.
100+ Keynotes
I’ve had the privilege of delivering over 100 keynotes since 2017, starting with a challenge I won to keynote a 250-person business conference. That moment ignited my passion for sharing practical insights and personal stories with business owners. Since then, I’ve spoken to diverse audiences, delivering actionable strategies that resonate with leaders seeking clarity and inspiration.
2023 Top Vistage Worldwide Speaker
With over 50 Vistage presentations under my belt, I’m proud to hold a 4.89/5 average rating from more than 1,00 business leaders worldwide. Each talk is tailored to help CEOs and entrepreneurs break free from operational chaos and unlock the full potential of their businesses through actionable frameworks and thought-provoking insights.
Personal Stories & Case Studies
My presentations draw from hard-earned lessons gained by turning around and selling my family business, running multiple companies, and consulting with hundreds of others. I blend personal stories with data-driven strategies and real-world case studies, delivering talks that inspire audiences to take meaningful action.
The iBD Ownership Scorecard™
After the keynote, your audience will get access to the iBD Ownership Scorecard™, where they'll evaluate their strengths, uncover key areas for growth using the Five Pillars of Ownership, This will help them gain confidence to move from operator to owner by focusing on what matters most
400+ Podcast Interviews
My speaking material is enriched by over 400 podcast interviews with leading entrepreneurs, authors, and industry experts like Gino Wickman, Bo Burlingham, and Jack Stack. These conversations give me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by business owners, enabling me to deliver talks grounded in practical advice and thought leadership.
Audience & Purpose of Speaking Engagement
Vistage Groups (15-20 CEOs and Business Owners) and Independence by Design™ Workshop
Speaker Review
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'. As an experienced and successful entrepreneur, Ryan uses the Independence by Design™ mindset to help owners shift away from annual income to focusing on long term value creation. 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 + EOS© Implementor
Audience & Purpose of Speaking Engagement
2023 Small Giants Annual Summit with 120+ Small Giant Community Business Owners & Leaders
Speaker Review
A perfect balance of wisdom, expertise, humor + practice was how Ryan delivered his presentation at the Small Giants Summit stage. He captivated the audience, challenged them, all while being purposeful and honest about his own journey. A 2023 highest rated Summit presentation and a fan favorite!
A perfect balance of wisdom, expertise, humor + practice
Hamsa Daher
Executive Director, Small Giants Community
Audience & Purpose of Speaking Engagement
2017, 2018, 2021 Keynotes for Annual CEO Nexus Conference (120+ attendees), Multiple Webinars, and Member Workshops (20-40 attendees)
Speaker Review
Ryan has been a valuable resource, speaker, and thought leader for the CEO Nexus community since 2017. He brings tremendous insights into what it takes to be a business owner and how to make the entire journey worth it.
Ryan has been an invaluable resource and speaker for our CEO's and Owners since 2017
Steve Quello
Owner, CEO Nexus
Frequently asked questions
How long is the key note?
A standard key note is an hour long with additional Q&A as optional.
Can the presentation be done virtually?
I have hosted many key notes virutally.
Is there a structured format?
I have a structured hour-long key note. However, I can refine the material to cover many specific topics. The body of my Independence by Design™ material has a lot of depth based on the topics I cover in my trainings (e.g., valuations, financial strategies, exit options, M&A, ESOPs, Private Equity, family transfers, etc.)
What are the costs?
There is a standard speaking fee that includes travel expenses. Depending on the audience, event, and purpose, the costs can vary.
Is there a workshop options?
I have performed over 50 four hour workshops (typically a half day session) that go well for smaller groups (e.g., Vistage, EO, business peer groups).
Is there a standard format and topic outline for podcasts?
I can keep to the outline of the key note for a guest podcast interview. My favorite format is a free flowing conversation lead by a curious host that is passionate about the topics I speak on.