#437: He Did What Most Business Owners Only Dream About—Rob Dube’s Story

Many owner-operators begin their journey driven by the vision of personal and financial independence, only to find themselves entrenched in the daily operations, unable to step away without fear of chaos. In this episode, I talk with Rob Dube, co-founder of ImageOne and visionary behind The 10 Disciplines for Managing and Maximizing Your Energy™, about how to break free from the owner-operator trap and achieve genuine ownership freedom. 

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Rob did what most business owners only dream about—he built a business that runs without him and stepped into a life of total operational freedom. We dig into how he structured his team, managed the emotional transition, and aligned his business with his personal goals. We also unpack what it really means to live out the promise of ownership independence, and how that journey led to his next act: partnering with Gino Wickman. 

This conversation resonates strongly with me because Rob's story is the real-life embodiment of what the Independence by Design™ framework is all about. For anyone stuck in the grind, wondering if it's truly possible to step back and still build something meaningful—this episode proves it is. 

Rob Dube is the co-founder of ImageOne, recognized as a Forbes Small Giant and a leader in building owner-independent businesses. He’s also the creator of The 10 Disciplines™, a proven method helping entrepreneurs gain control over their energy and attention to maximize business and personal success. Rob’s practical strategies empower business owners to structure their organizations in ways that allow them to step back, build sustainable wealth, and create lasting legacies. 
 
Chapters:  

• (00:00) Introduction: Escaping the Owner-Operator Trap with Rob Dube of ImageOne 

• (04:20) The value of podcasting in connecting with amazing people 

• (09:20) Pandemic-era business challenges and pivotal conversations 

• (16:40) The four key activities Rob now focuses on in his work 

• (19:20) Managing energy and understanding its impact on decision-making 

• (28:28) Breaking free from the entrepreneur's constant struggle for control 

• (34:54) Being patient and allowing business opportunities to unfold naturally 

• (43:04) The importance of vibrating high versus low in your business 

• (48:20) Achieving clarity about what truly drives your business decisions 

• (53:01) Time as our greatest asset and how to leverage it effectively 

• (59:03) Building a strong foundation through the 10 disciplines 

• (01:04:37) Navigating Business Ownership With Trust 

• (01:12:29) Final thoughts, what it's like being on the board of your own company 

• Rate, comment, and 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