#415: Everyone Gets Punched in the Face: A Framework for Planning with Tom Walker
11/14/24 • 67 min
In this episode, I sit down with Tom Walker, a financial strategist who’s all about connecting the big picture to the details—uncovering hidden constraints, planning for the unexpected, and transforming companies into resilient, wealth-generating assets. Tom brings a no-nonsense approach to planning, not to predict every outcome, but to create a framework that withstands the inevitable punches every business faces.
Watch on YouTube
We center our conversation around what it truly means to own a business that provides cash flow and equity growth, giving you the ability to make smart, clear-headed decisions regardless of market conditions. We also dive into why so many business owners get frustrated with planning, often getting tangled up in short-term thinking and daily pressures that can cloud their vision.
Together, Tom and I break down the steps to building independence, including a close look at using your business as a tool for long-term wealth that doesn’t rely solely on your labor. It’s about decoupling your time from cash flow, creating a business that serves you—giving you control and flexibility, rather than the other way around.
Tom Walker is a financial and economic advisor with decades of experience across agriculture, manufacturing, and family businesses, Tom specializes in helping owners move beyond the day-to-day grind to see the big picture. His approach combines strategic planning, cash flow management, and a passion for teaching others how to protect their independence. Tom’s clients value his no-nonsense perspective on what it takes to survive—and thrive—in an unpredictable economy.
Chapters:
- (00:00) Intro of guest Tom Walker, discussing the need for strategic planning in business, preparedness vs. prediction
- (09:59) Navigating market conditions in agriculture and manufacturing, understanding constraints and building a better base case, the impact of economic changes on large-scale farms
- (17:00) Ownership thinking, cash flow, finding safe harbor as a business owner, outgrowing the “money printer” and protection against inflation
- (25:00) Creating flexible frameworks to handle economic volatility, aligning your vision and team with a long-term playbook
- (31:17) ‘Tail hedge’ mentality and asset valuations, using financial data to pivot when things go sideways
- (39:15) Cash flow and financial trickery, surviving industry volatility, importance of working capital
- (46:39) Discipline and financial planning, long-term planning compared to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, core principles of capitalism, sustainable cash flow and return on asset value
- (52:00) Ryan’s family business history, experiences with the banking sector
- (58:41) Evaluating business strategies and cycles in manufacturing, farming, etc.
- (1:05:00) Closing thoughts, looking at the future, the game of capitalism
- Share with the owner/operators you know!
Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by DesignTM, 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 DesignTM 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:
LinkedIn: Connect with Tom
Blog: Tom’s Blog – Sign up for his thoughtful, in-depth articles on financial planning, cash flow management, and business resilience.The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek – A deep dive into economic freedom and the pitfalls of over-centralized planning.
Antifragile by Nassim Taleb – ...
In this episode, I sit down with Tom Walker, a financial strategist who’s all about connecting the big picture to the details—uncovering hidden constraints, planning for the unexpected, and transforming companies into resilient, wealth-generating assets. Tom brings a no-nonsense approach to planning, not to predict every outcome, but to create a framework that withstands the inevitable punches every business faces.
Watch on YouTube
We center our conversation around what it truly means to own a business that provides cash flow and equity growth, giving you the ability to make smart, clear-headed decisions regardless of market conditions. We also dive into why so many business owners get frustrated with planning, often getting tangled up in short-term thinking and daily pressures that can cloud their vision.
Together, Tom and I break down the steps to building independence, including a close look at using your business as a tool for long-term wealth that doesn’t rely solely on your labor. It’s about decoupling your time from cash flow, creating a business that serves you—giving you control and flexibility, rather than the other way around.
Tom Walker is a financial and economic advisor with decades of experience across agriculture, manufacturing, and family businesses, Tom specializes in helping owners move beyond the day-to-day grind to see the big picture. His approach combines strategic planning, cash flow management, and a passion for teaching others how to protect their independence. Tom’s clients value his no-nonsense perspective on what it takes to survive—and thrive—in an unpredictable economy.
Chapters:
- (00:00) Intro of guest Tom Walker, discussing the need for strategic planning in business, preparedness vs. prediction
- (09:59) Navigating market conditions in agriculture and manufacturing, understanding constraints and building a better base case, the impact of economic changes on large-scale farms
- (17:00) Ownership thinking, cash flow, finding safe harbor as a business owner, outgrowing the “money printer” and protection against inflation
- (25:00) Creating flexible frameworks to handle economic volatility, aligning your vision and team with a long-term playbook
- (31:17) ‘Tail hedge’ mentality and asset valuations, using financial data to pivot when things go sideways
- (39:15) Cash flow and financial trickery, surviving industry volatility, importance of working capital
- (46:39) Discipline and financial planning, long-term planning compared to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, core principles of capitalism, sustainable cash flow and return on asset value
- (52:00) Ryan’s family business history, experiences with the banking sector
- (58:41) Evaluating business strategies and cycles in manufacturing, farming, etc.
- (1:05:00) Closing thoughts, looking at the future, the game of capitalism
- Share with the owner/operators you know!
Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by DesignTM, 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 DesignTM 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:
LinkedIn: Connect with Tom
Blog: Tom’s Blog – Sign up for his thoughtful, in-depth articles on financial planning, cash flow management, and business resilience.The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek – A deep dive into economic freedom and the pitfalls of over-centralized planning.
Antifragile by Nassim Taleb – ...
Previous Episode
#414: How to Navigate a Third-Party Sale with an Investment Banker with Adam Webb
Demystify what it means to prepare for a third-party sale and how an investment banker can be a game-changer in that process. For owners weighing their exit options, Adam shares insights on how to gauge your business’s market value from a third-party buyer’s perspective—highlighting what you need to know about valuations, strategic buyer selection, and why timing is key.
Watch on YouTube
We dive into the importance of building a relationship with an investment banker early, giving you a view of the market and your potential valuation while still focused on growth. Adam discusses the specific criteria buyers consider, how to differentiate between passive and active sales strategies, and why choosing the right intermediary can make or break your outcome. He explains how curated buyer lists, customized marketing materials, and understanding cash flow quality all play crucial roles in positioning your business for maximum value.
If you’re ready to think strategically about a potential third-party sale—whether that’s next year or five years down the line—this episode will guide you through the details of market preparation, partner selection, and the steps that ensure your hard-earned business value is fully recognized.
Adam Webb is a Partner at Quazar Capital Corporation, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory for middle-market businesses. With years of experience and completing over 60 transactions, he helps business owners maximize their exit value selling to third-party buyers (PE Firms and Strategics). Adam has a reputation for bringing a strategic, data-driven approach to the complex M&A landscape. His insights on valuation, timing, and market positioning make him a sought-after advisor for business owners ready to take control of their futures.
Chapters:
- (00:00) Intro to Adam Webb and Quazar, insights into middle market mergers and acquisitions
- (10:16) Active vs passive buyer sourcing techniques, comparing listing sites with active marketing strategies
- (18:51) Complexities of deal structuring, buyer-seller expectations and deal structures
- (30:00) Importance of storytelling in business transactions, proving business value through effective storytelling
- (40:40) Strategic financial planning for businesses, aligning financial plans with strategic business goals
- (44:45) Timing considerations for selling a business, analyzing market conditions and personal goals for sales, managing post-sale expectations with different buyer types
- (53:28) Retirement challenges for baby boomer business owners, addressing realistic business valuations for retirement
- (1:03:30) Conducting regular financial reviews, importance of regular PE-style financial evaluations, EOS planning meetings
- (1:09:53) Private equity investment strategies, differences in platform and add-on investment approaches
- (1:23:24) Closing thoughts, get in touch with Adam
- Share with the owner/operators you know!
Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by DesignTM, 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 DesignTM 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:
Quazar Capital https://quazarinc.com/our-teamAdam Webb on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-webb-831620126/Built to Sell by John Warrillow — Essential reading on creating a business that doesn’t rely on you.EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) by Gino Wickman — A methodology for structuring and scaling your business.The Great Game of Business by ...
Next Episode
#416: Behind the Curtain: How Ultra-Wealthy Families Manage Their Business Assets with Brandon Henry
In this episode of Independence by DesignTM, I have a fascinating discussion with Brandon Henry, who works closely with billionaires and ultra-high-net-worth families as part of a family office. This conversation is invaluable for owner-operators running middle-market companies, offering a glimpse into the world of sophisticated wealth management and how even the wealthiest families are navigating challenges. Brandon's insights highlight that you don’t need to have everything figured out right away, and that even those at the top are still trying to professionalize ownership and create strategic options.
We explore how these ultra-wealthy families wrestle with decisions that are just as complex as those faced by smaller businesses and why professionalizing ownership isn't just for billionaires. Brandon shares the key differences between financial capital (like tax, legal, and investment strategies) and family capital (managing dynamics and decision-making), and how the best families learn to separate operating the business from owning the asset. This episode provides practical takeaways on how to think about your business as a strategic asset, improve your decision-making, and create optionality for your future.
Brandon Henry is a seasoned wealth advisor and governance strategist specializing in helping ultra-high-net-worth families and first-generation entrepreneurs master the complexities of family business, estate planning, and capital allocation. With a deep understanding of financial capital and family dynamics, Brandon works at the intersection of ownership strategy and wealth management to help families achieve generational independence.
Chapters:
- (00:00) Intro of guest Brandon Henry
- (07:10) Financial Capital vs. Family Capital
- (12:45) Why Professionalizing Ownership Is Crucial, Maximizing Options for Family Ownership, Family Office Complexity
- (20:05) Understanding Financial Statements and Ownership Framework
- (26:14) Improving Decision Making With Three Statements, Aligning Business and Family Goals
- (32:15) Valuations, Estate Planning & Taxes, and Understanding Risk, Wealth Building Through Risk Management
- (46:19) Navigating Ownership and Succession Planning
- (57:44) Mapping Family Ownership Strategy, Entrepreneurial Parents and Future Opportunities
- (1:00:00) Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
- Share with the owner/operators you know!
Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by DesignTM, 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 DesignTM 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:
Independence by Design #350 - “What it Means to “Think Like an Owner” with Brandon Henry
The Intentional Growth Podcast Archives – Discover more about ownership thinking.
Built to Sell by John Warrillow – Create a business that thrives without you.
The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack – Make financial literacy a strategic advantage.
LinkedIn: Brandon Henry
Website: Mosaic Advisors
https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop Independence by DesignTM Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching
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