Episode 144
(Replay) What Does It Mean to Return to Real? with Ryan Levesque
What if the next level of success is not bigger, faster, or more automated? In this replay, Dustin Riechmann sits down with entrepreneur and author Ryan Levesque to explore the tension ambitious business owners feel after growth starts working. Ryan shares his journey from building and selling…
Chapters
- 00:00:00 — Why this replay matters and the idea behind Return to Real
- 00:03:00 — Meeting Ryan and the values that matter beyond business credentials
- 00:04:30 — Ryan's path from a small online business to the Ask Method
- 00:13:00 — The slow road to meaningful revenue and entrepreneurial freedom
- 00:15:00 — A failed sale, burnout, and a new question about life
- 00:18:00 — Discovering permaculture and moving the family to Vermont
- 00:23:00 — Building a farm that feeds the family
- 00:27:00 — Simple practices for spending less time on screens
- 00:32:00 — Creating memorable experiences with your family
- 00:34:00 — What are you optimizing for in this season of business
- 00:39:00 — Ryan's Digital Contrarian and writing with a human voice
Show notes
What if the next level of success is not bigger, faster, or more automated? In this replay, Dustin Riechmann sits down with entrepreneur and author Ryan Levesque to explore the tension ambitious business owners feel after growth starts working. Ryan shares his journey from building and selling businesses to choosing a more grounded life in Vermont, where his family raises much of their own food and spends more time connected to what matters. For coaches, consultants, and expert entrepreneurs, this conversation is a reminder that scale is not the only goal. Ryan explains how getting clear on what you are optimizing for can change the way you build your company, spend your time, and show up for the people you love, while offering practical ways to bring more real life into a business that still depends on screens.
Chapters:
- (00:00:00) Why this replay matters and the idea behind Return to Real
- (00:03:00) Meeting Ryan and the values that matter beyond business credentials
- (00:04:30) Ryan's path from a small online business to the Ask Method
- (00:13:00) The slow road to meaningful revenue and entrepreneurial freedom
- (00:15:00) A failed sale, burnout, and a new question about life
- (00:18:00) Discovering permaculture and moving the family to Vermont
- (00:23:00) Building a farm that feeds the family
- (00:27:00) Simple practices for spending less time on screens
- (00:32:00) Creating memorable experiences with your family
- (00:34:00) What are you optimizing for in this season of business
- (00:39:00) Ryan's Digital Contrarian and writing with a human voice
Links and Resources
- ASK Method: https://askmethod.com/
- The Digital Contrarian Newsletter: https://ryanlevesque.net/newsletter
- Website: ryanlevesque.net
- ASK Method®: askmethod.com
- Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlevesque/
- Dustin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinriechmann/
- 7 Figure Leap: https://7figureleap.com/
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About 7 Figure Leap
Hosted by Dustin Riechmann, 7-Figure Leap helps expert entrepreneurs leverage rich relationships and smart strategies — especially podcast guesting and partnerships — to take their business to the next level. Weekly stories and playbooks from founders on the path to 7-figure success.