In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Walker Deibel, author of Buy Then Build and founder of Acquisition Lab, to uncover the strategies that turn owner-operators into true business owners. Walker shares his expertise on how to use acquisitions to build wealth and create independence by aligning your business with your long-term personal goals.
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We explore why the private market offers massive opportunities for those who understand the game and how owner-operators can shift from being stuck in day-to-day operations to thinking like strategic capital allocators. This conversation dives into the actionable steps required to professionalize ownership, understand market valuations, and create options—whether you’re preparing for a sale or just looking to unlock more time and freedom.

If you’re ready to elevate your ownership game and align your business strategy with long-term independence, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Walker Deibel is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and founder of the Acquisition Lab. A pioneer in the SMB acquisition space, Walker has acquired seven companies and advised on over 100 deals. His work focuses on empowering entrepreneurs to use acquisitions as a vehicle for wealth creation and independence.

Chapters:

• (00:00) Intro - religious studies in college, ownership in wealth creation

• (18:30) Investing in middle market deals, middle market opportunities: a hidden gem for owners

• (28:45) Expanding investment opportunities through syndication, diversifying investments for risk management

• (33:20) Structuring deals for buyers and sellers, aligning capital allocation with your personal vision

• (40:00) Business acquisition entrepreneurship decision-making

• (54:00) Turning your business into a scalable asset

• (1:01:20) The demographic cliff, impact of baby boomer retirements on private companies

• (1:03:24) Challenges and opportunities in small business transactions.

• (1:14:23) Navigating business acquisitions and challenges

• (1:22:32) Engaging in private equity and entrepreneurship, embracing challenges in sharing private equity insights

• (1:26:26) Importance of financial models in attracting investments

• (1:36:16) Reinvesting and planning for enhanced business growth

• Share with the owner/operators you know!

Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, 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 Design™ 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:

Acquisition Lab

Walker Deibel’s Website

Walker Deibel LinkedIn

Book: Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel

Ep. #372 - Buying Companies, Growing Value, & Achieving a High-Value Exit

Ep. #320 - Why Acquisition Entrepreneurs and Search Funds ‘Buy Then Build’ with Walker Deibel

Ep. #122 - The Acquisition Entrepreneur Buying Companies and Growing Value with Walker Deibel

Independence by Design™ Workshop: https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop

Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching

Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/

Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/

Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom

Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom

Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8

Sound Bites:

"Buying a business isn’t just about owning one; it’s about controlling how you create wealth." – Walker Deibel

"The private market is where you see outsized returns—if you understand the game." – Ryan Tansom

"The key to independence is using your business as a platform for sustainable cash flow and equity growth." – Ryan Tansom

"Every deal comes down to lining up what’s broken and turning it into a win for both sides." – Walker Deibel