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The psychological toll of corporate work became unbearable for Ryan, who found himself in tears at his HR director's office—a breaking point that would ultimately transform his life. After years in manufacturing management positions at companies like General Mills, working second shift and missing precious family time, Ryan made a decision that would reshape his future and lead to unexpected entrepreneurial success.

When COVID hit and his employer slashed salaries by 50% while still requiring full-time office presence, Ryan reached his limit. With his wife's unexpected support, he invested in a PuroClean franchise, writing that nerve-wracking $55,000 check that marked his commitment to a new path. The timing proved fortuitous—just as he'd received a promotion at his corporate job, making the decision even more difficult.

What makes Ryan's story particularly fascinating is how one business decision snowballed into multiple ventures. Today, Ryan and his wife operate five separate business entities between them. His wife transformed from schoolteacher to running both a daycare for teachers' children (with all school holidays off) and a seasonal food truck. Meanwhile, Ryan expanded from restoration services into real estate, purchasing buildings with issues his restoration business could fix, creating a brilliant synergy between his ventures.

The mindset shift has been profound. "There's this part of you that kind of dies inside when all your efforts are for somebody else," Ryan explains. While he still works similar hours, the psychological difference is night and day. Even his relationship with money has completely transformed—from thinking $3-4K was significant to running $25K biweekly payrolls without blinking. His first million in sales left him "dumbfounded" as he adjusted to his new reality.

For entrepreneurs contemplating their own leap, Ryan's parting advice resonates with hard-earned wisdom: "Take the leap, hold on, and keep your head on a swivel—it's a wild ride." His journey proves that sometimes the scariest decisions lead to the most rewarding outcomes.