Independence by Design™

Redesign Your Business to Work for You—Not the Other Way Around. Hey there, I’m Ryan Tansom, and I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to be stuck in the...more

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About the Show

Redesign Your Business to Work for You—Not the Other Way Around. Hey there, I’m Ryan Tansom, and I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to be stuck in the grind of running a business. In 2009, I jumped into my family’s $21 million company when it was losing nearly $1 million a year. Over five years, we turned it around and sold it for eight figures—but the journey left me with more questions than answers. The stress, the massive tax bill, and the lack of clarity on how our decisions aligned with our goals taught me one thing: most owners don’t have a roadmap to navigate the complexities of business ownership.

That’s why I created the Independence by Design™ Ownership Framework. It’s a system built to help owner-operators like you align your decisions with your goals for time, cash flow, and wealth. Over the last decade, I’ve been involved in dozens of transactions and worked with thousands of business owners, helping them shift from being stuck in the day-to-day grind to designing businesses—and lives—they love.

On this podcast, I’ll show you how to escape the owner-operator trap by using the Independence by Design™ Framework to make better decisions, create sustainable cash flow, and reclaim your time. I’ll also bring in some of the smartest minds I’ve had the privilege of interviewing, like Gino Wickman, Mike Michalowicz, Chris Voss, Jack Stack, and Bo Burlingham, to challenge and inspire you along the way.

This isn’t just another business podcast. Like Andrew Huberman does for science, I get into the weeds, following my curiosity and trying to be as comprehensive as possible. It’s your guide to mastering the game of ownership—whether you’re scaling, stepping back, or planning your exit. If you’re ready to take back control and finally build a business that works for you, not the other way around, you’re in the right place.

Meet our Hosts

Ryan Tansom

Ryan Tansom

I know what it’s like to feel trapped in the grind of running a business. In 2009, I joined my family’s $21 million company during a financial crisis, and over five years, we turned it around and sold it for eight figures. While that sale looked like a win on paper, it left me questioning everything. The stress of running the business, the massive tax hit, and the lack of clarity about how our decisions aligned with our goals taught me a powerful lesson: most business owners don’t have a framework to make decisions that lead to true freedom. That’s why I created the Independence by Design™ Ownership Framework. It’s a system to help owner-operators align their business decisions with their goals for time, cash flow, and wealth. Over the last decade, I’ve been a part of dozens of transactions and worked with thousands of business owners, helping them design businesses that work for their lives—not the other way around. On the podcast, I share strategies and insights I’ve learned along the way, bringing in top thought leaders like Gino Wickman, Mike Michalowicz, Jack Stack, and Bo Burlingham to provide their perspectives. Whether you’re feeling stuck, planning to scale, or preparing for an exit, my goal is to give you the tools and confidence to take back control and build a life you love. This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s about reclaiming your independence and designing a business that gives you the freedom you deserve. Let’s get started—I can’t wait to help you on your journey.