Episode 273: Elevating Potential & Intentional Growth with Ryan Tansom

Ryan Tansom's remarkable journey from reviving his family's $21 million business to its 8-figure sale in 2014 exemplifies his entrepreneurial prowess. As the founder of Arkona and creator of the Intentional Growth™ Framework, he has redefined how entrepreneurs manage their businesses as financial assets, combining educational training with fractional CFO services. A mentor to over 400 entrepreneurs and a sought-after speaker at prestigious forums like Vistage Worldwide and Entrepreneurs Organization, Ryan also hosts the popular Intentional Growth™ podcast, featuring notable guests and amassing over 520k downloads. His story is a beacon of inspiration and strategic insight in the entrepreneurial landscape. Intentional GrowthIn 2019, Ryan created the Intentional Growth Academy. The academy was born out of Ryan's personal experience of reviving his father's business and facilitating its sale. He realized the importance of understanding the value of a business and making intentional decisions to grow and create wealth. The Intentional Growth™ Academy is designed to help middle market entrepreneurs understand and implement the principles of intentional growth in their businesses. The program covers topics such as: Vision planning. Financial targets. Exit options. Value growth. Team building. The goal of the academy is to empower entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and build businesses that create wealth and make an impact.The Five Principles of Intentional GrowthRyan's Intentional Growth™ Academy is built on five key principles that guide entrepreneurs in their pursuit of enterprise value: Vision: Clearly define what you want from your business and understand the why behind your goals. This clarity enables you to make strategic decisions aligned with your long-term vision. Financial Targets: Determine your target equity valuation and desired distributions. By setting specific financial goals, you can create a roadmap for growth and measure progress along the way.   Exit Options: Explore various exit strategies, such as internal transfers, ESOPs, private equity, and strategic acquisitions. Understanding the different deal structures and their impact on your legacy and role allows you to choose the best option for your business. Grow Value: Invest in areas of your business that de-risk cash flow and increase its value. By focusing on factors like sustainable profitability, customer diversification, and operational efficiency, you can enhance the attractiveness of your business to potential buyers. Hire the Right Team: Surround yourself with advisors who understand your goals and can help you navigate the complexities of deals, taxes, estate planning, and more. Building a team of experts ensures that you have the right guidance and expertise to make informed decisions. By adopting the five principles outlined in the Intentional Growth™ Academy, entrepreneurs can create enterprise value, make strategic decisions, and ultimately achieve their long-term goals. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, embracing intentional growth can transform your business and unlock its full potential. Get started with The Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit today!The Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit • • •For my full discussion with Ryan Tansom, and more on this topic and topics not featured on this blog post:Listen to the Full DealQuest Podcast Episode Here• • • FOR MORE ON RYAN TANSOM:https://arkona.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-tansom-4a440710/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.  Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!