Part 4 Of 5: Building An Independent Business

FREE CASE STUDY KIT: Reveals the ‘insider’ secrets of how our service-based business owners build businesses that grow, run, and scale without them.

Hi, I’m Eric Dahl, the creator of the Independent Business Method.

Welcome to Part 4 of our 5-part series, the Independent Business Tell-All Interview, featuring Ed Waggoner, owner and founder of Empire Property Management.

In this episode, we’ll explore how to build an independent business system to attract, hire, and train the best people so your business runs smoothly without your constant involvement.

Discover how Ed used the Independent Business Method to create systems that empowered his team to drive the business forward—giving him the freedom to focus on what matters most.

The Power of Training Once

As a business owner, I know the challenges and responsibilities you face. Here’s a simple but powerful truth:

You’re going to train your employees anyway.

Whether it’s through meetings, manuals, or one-on-one sessions, training is unavoidable. But here’s the game-changer:

If you record your training sessions, you create resources that last forever. Now, every future employee has access to the same high-quality training without you needing to repeat yourself endlessly.

Why Build An Independent Business?

I’ve used the Independent Business Method to build my own business, and it has transformed how I work.

This method helps business owners create businesses that grow without them, so they can:

✅ Enjoy true time freedom

✅ Sell their business for top dollar

✅ Pass it on to the next generation

✅ Collect checks while exploring the world

Today, there’s a new kind of entrepreneur—one who is not tied down by their business but is in complete control of it.

You have the potential to become this type of independent business owner. With the right systems and strategies, you can design a business that works for you—not the other way around.

Independence: Taking Full Control

We’re not dependent on any government, banks, or investors.

Instead, we’ve created a world where you control your time and income. That’s the essence of being an Independent Business Builder—freedom to focus on what matters most.

One of the most critical tools for any independent business is the operations manual.

But here’s the key: It’s not a static document. It’s a fluid, evolving guide that grows as your company progresses and improves.

Every time you refine a process, adapt to new challenges, or perfect your systems, your operations manual should reflect those changes. This adaptability keeps your business efficient and future-proof.

Simplifying Training With Membership Sites

Training your employees doesn’t have to be overwhelming. 

We use Optimize Press to create a membership site where employees can log in and access the training they need for their specific roles.

Here’s how it works:

✅ Each department has its own section.

✅ Employees only see content relevant to their role, eliminating distractions.

✅ This focused approach ensures clarity and accountability.

Pro Tip: Keep your training simple at first. Build it section by section. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your systems don’t need to be perfect overnight.

Progress Over Perfection

When I started, I thought I had to get everything done immediately. But that mindset only leads to burnout.

Instead, treat your business systems as ongoing projects. It’s okay if it takes years to perfect your operations manual or training resources. What matters is consistent progress.

Building a Business That Truly Runs Without You

Creating a business that operates independently takes time and effort.

You’ll spend months, maybe even years, building systems, training your team, and refining your processes. Then comes the real test—the moment you step away and see if your business truly runs without you.

Putting My Business to the Ultimate Test

When my family moved from Eugene, Oregon, to North Idaho, it was a massive operation. With 14 children, moving wasn’t a small task.

We sold our house, stored some belongings, and hit the road. Initially, we planned to rent a home in North Idaho while building a new one. But as you might imagine, no one wanted to rent to a family of 14!

Adapting to the Adventure

Instead, we embraced a new adventure. I bought a large bus, the biggest fifth wheel I could find, and a truck to tow it all.

With our belongings stored, we decided to head south for the winter. Moving into an RV with such a large family during snowy October in North Idaho didn’t seem practical.

The Adventure of a Lifetime

That winter became one of the most memorable experiences of my life. We traveled south, embracing the freedom we had built through our business.

For six months, we were constantly on the move. I only flew back to the office twice because airfare was prohibitively expensive due to last-minute bookings.

The Real Test of Independence

This experience tested everything we had built. Could my business survive without me being there every day? 

The answer was yes.

This is the ultimate goal of the Independent Business Method™—creating a business that allows you to step away, live your life, and trust that your systems and team will keep things running smoothly.

Recently, I compiled a one-hour ‘Tell All’ Interview Video, Audio, Transcript, Checklist, 3-part Video Series, Masterclass, and on-demand training valued at $297 into this FREE Independent Business Case Study Kit. 

It reveals the ‘insider’ secrets of how our offline and online business owners build businesses that grow, run, and scale without them, and I want you to have it.

You can access it for free right now by clicking HERE.

For six months, my business truly ran without me. At first, it wasn’t perfect—I spent more time on the phone than I expected, troubleshooting small issues. But after a few weeks, everything began to click.

The systems we built started working seamlessly, and the company was growing efficiently without me. That machine was humming along while I was unplugged, living my life.

What True Freedom Feels Like

Running a business that doesn’t need you is the ultimate form of freedom. It allows you to:

✅ Provide for your family

✅ Enjoy life outside of work

✅ Step away for extended periods without fear

For me, being able to walk away for six months while my business thrived proved that all the effort to build a Runs Without You system was worth it.

Avoid Becoming a Prisoner of Your Own Business

Without the right systems, you risk becoming an overworked employee of your own business—a prisoner in a cage you’ve built.

But when your business runs without you, it’s not just better for you; it’s better for your employees, too.

Why It’s Better for Your Employees, Too

A business without clear systems creates stress for everyone:

✅ Employees don’t know their roles, limits, or responsibilities.

✅ A boss constantly looking over their shoulder makes them uncomfortable.

No one wants to work in an environment like that. By building clear systems and defining roles, you empower your team to do their best work while creating a positive, supportive atmosphere.

Building Accountability Through Systems

We’ve created a company with all the proper checks and balances, where every team member is accountable to the system.

Here’s how it works:

✅ The right hand knows what the left hand is doing.

✅ Each role depends on others performing their tasks.

This interconnected system ensures everyone is aligned and accountable, creating a seamless workflow.

The Reward of Patience

Building these systems takes time—but it’s worth every effort.

Once we settled in North Idaho, our adventure continued. I bought 10 acres of land and started building a massive house for my family.

From Financial Independence to Freedom

Here’s the best part:

✅ I built the house with my kids and almost no outside help.

✅ No banks. No debt. It’s all ours.

This isn’t just running without you; it’s genuine financial freedom.

Recently, I compiled a one-hour ‘Tell All’ Interview Video, Audio, Transcript, Checklist, 3-part Video Series, Masterclass, and on-demand training valued at $297 into this FREE Independent Business Case Study Kit. 

It reveals the ‘insider’ secrets of how our offline and online business owners build businesses that grow, run, and scale without them, and I want you to have it.

You can access it for free right now by clicking HERE.

The cornerstone of this system is breaking away from the 9-to-5 grind. Now, we’re in Phase Three—scaling the business without me.

Scaling With a Plan

Scaling takes time and intentional planning. Before you grow, you need to answer key questions:

✅ Where do you want your business to go?

✅ How big do you want it to grow?

✅ What will it look like as it scales?

The good news is that scaling isn’t as challenging as building a Runs Without You system. With the proper groundwork, it’s a smoother process.

Avoiding Growth Pitfalls

One thing we’ve learned is to grow intentionally. For us, that means avoiding junk properties that bring unnecessary drama.

Here’s why:

✅ Drama causes turnover.

✅ Turnover disrupts your business and team morale.

By eliminating drama properties, we’ve created a better environment for our team and clients, making growth sustainable and stress-free.

Eliminating Drama for Sustainable Growth

Choosing not to work with “drama properties” might slow your growth rate, but it gives you longevity and a steady, predictable pace of growth.

When you cut out the drama, your company grows at a sustainable rate that you can plan for, making it easier to scale without unnecessary stress.

The Power of Discernment in Business

Eric: Once you build an independent business, it gives you something even more valuable—discernment.

✅ You can choose who you want to work with.

✅ You’re no longer stuck accepting every client or project that comes your way.

This ability to work with the best clients is a game changer, freeing you from the cycle of just taking whoever comes through the door.

Trial and Error: Finding Your Ideal Clients

Ed: Early on, it’s harder to be selective. You need dollars coming in to keep the lights on.

✅ In the beginning, you’re less choosy because you have immediate financial needs.

✅ Over time, you start to figure out your ideal customer through trial and error.

It’s a learning process: you work with some clients and realize they’re not a fit. That’s when you start steering your company toward the clients and projects that align best with your values and goals.

Adapting to Changes in Business and Clients

Eric: Things change over time—clients’ needs, businesses, or even circumstances in their personal lives can shift, and suddenly, they’re no longer the right fit.

Ed: It’s not just clients; the industry changes too.

The Changing Landscape of Property Management

Ed: Legislation has made it tougher for small landlords. Cities like Eugene, Oregon, pass laws that place heavy burdens on landlords.

Here’s what happens:

✅ Small landlords leave the industry.

✅ They sell their properties, reducing the pool of rental housing.

What lawmakers fail to realize is that landlords don’t have to stay landlords. When the system becomes too challenging, they opt out entirely.

Adapting to Industry Changes

New laws and regulations have created significant barriers for small landlords entering the industry.

As a result, we had to shift our focus:

✅ Moving toward multifamily properties, which remain stable.

✅ Adjusting our strategy to meet the changing landscape of property management.

It’s unfortunate because many families could have lived in single-family homes, but the current climate has made that option less viable.

The Importance of Adjusting Your Vision

As industries evolve and client preferences shift, you must refine your approach. Here’s why:

✅ Sticking to outdated methods can leave you behind.

✅ Focusing solely on numbers, without direction, is a recipe for burnout.

You must fine-tune your company’s direction to achieve success.

Scaling Without Losing Focus

Scaling a business isn’t just about growth in size; it’s about purposeful growth:

✅ Identify the direction you want your business to go.

✅ Avoid floundering by constantly refining your goals and systems.

In business, there’s no treading water—you’re either growing or declining.

Recently, I compiled a one-hour ‘Tell All’ Interview Video, Audio, Transcript, Checklist, 3-part Video Series, Masterclass, and on-demand training valued at $297 into this FREE Independent Business Case Study Kit. 

It reveals the ‘insider’ secrets of how our offline and online business owners build businesses that grow, run, and scale without them, and I want you to have it.

You can access it for free right now by clicking HERE.

Thanks for joining us for Part 4 of our 5-part series, The Independent Business Tell-All Interview, with Ed Waggoner, owner and founder of Empire Property Management.

Today, we uncovered the importance of building an independent business system to attract, hire, and train the best so your business runs without you.

Be sure to join us for Part 5, where we’ll dive into:

“Ultimate Time Freedom: Scaling Your Business to Pursue Your Dreams.”

Discover how Ed leveraged the final phase of the Independent Business Method™ to:

✅ Scale his business with purpose.

✅ Achieve the freedom to focus on what truly matters.

You won’t want to miss this inspiring conclusion to our 5-part series!

Eric Dahl, Founder Of IndependentBusinessBuilder.com

Our mission is to empower you to take 1 year OFF, and your business STILL grows, runs, and scales without you!