The WarPlan Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: From $0 to Multi-Millions: The Relentless Action Plan with Ryan Johnson
Host: Joshua Latimer
Guest: Ryan Johnson
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The WarPlan Podcast, host Joshua Latimer welcomes Ryan Johnson, a young family man who has remarkably built a multimillion-dollar window cleaning business from the ground up. Ryan shares his journey from humble beginnings to achieving significant business success, all while maintaining a balanced family life. This summary delves into the key discussions, insights, and actionable strategies Ryan presents, offering invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Origin Story: From Cleaning Windows in College to Business Success
Ryan Johnson's entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly. Originally planning to become a dentist, Ryan found himself disillusioned with his college chemistry classes and turned to window cleaning as a part-time job.
Ryan Johnson [02:49]:
"So I started cleaning windows in college. I was probably making like maybe a thousand dollars a week cleaning windows or probably even less than that. But at the time, that felt like a ton of money."
Ryan's part-time endeavor soon became a primary source of income, prompting a pivotal decision to relocate his family to Phoenix in May 2019 after attending one of Joshua's workshops.
Josh [02:05]:
"Can you tell us about what happened?"
Ryan Johnson [02:49]:
"We moved because I felt this burning inside my heart that that was the right thing to do. We didn't know it at the time, but my wife was just barely pregnant when we moved."
This move marked the beginning of Ryan's relentless pursuit of building his business, leading to his first $10,000 month in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Building the Window Cleaning Business: Strategy and Execution
Ryan attributes his business growth to simple, consistent actions rather than complex strategies. He emphasizes the importance of volume in marketing, particularly through the traditional flyer method.
Ryan Johnson [08:37]:
"It's about stacking the volume of it. We were doing 10,000 a month, my wife helping early, and then, over time, it turned into me and then my first tech helping, tons of volume."
Boots-On-The-Ground Marketing
Ryan's commitment to high-volume flyer distribution was instrumental in scaling his business. He highlights the necessity of relentless marketing efforts to ensure visibility and customer acquisition.
Ryan Johnson [11:22]:
"We were doing 10,000 a month, my wife helping early, and then, over time, it turned into me and then my first tech helping, tons of volume."
Josh adds that many entrepreneurs falter by not committing to sufficient volume, often stopping too soon or overcomplicating their marketing efforts.
Josh [09:51]:
"Maybe you don't overcomplicate something that's clear and simple. But did you do the two simple things? Well, yeah."
Overcoming Challenges: Cash Flow Purgatory and Scaling Up
Ryan discusses the challenges of seasonal slowdowns, particularly Arizona's harsh summer weather, which initially threatened his business's sustainability.
Ryan Johnson [06:10]:
"We had to put out 10,000 a month. We had to put them on the same houses over and over, and that's when it starts to work. It can't not work."
Despite facing months where revenue barely covered expenses, Ryan's unwavering focus on volume eventually led to substantial growth, surpassing the $1.2 million mark by 2022.
Transition to Coaching: Leveraging Success to Help Others
In addition to his window cleaning business, Ryan launched a coaching program that has rapidly grown, contributing to his overall business success.
Ryan Johnson [15:55]:
"I've learned as much about business in the last year coaching other people as I have growing my own business."
He emphasizes that coaching not only diversifies his income but also reinforces his own business practices, creating a synergistic effect.
Josh [18:58]:
"He's built a million dollar coaching business in just over a year. Having never done it for money. Insane."
Business Insights and Advice: Keys to Success
Ryan shares several actionable insights for entrepreneurs struggling to scale their businesses:
-
High Marketing Volume:
Consistently reaching out to a vast audience is crucial. For example, Ryan's method involved sending out thousands of flyers monthly to ensure market saturation.Ryan Johnson [31:01]:
"The biggest things that I've noticed is just like one, low volume. So people think that they're marketing hard, but they're not." -
Stamina in Marketing Efforts:
Persistence is vital. Entrepreneurs must maintain their marketing efforts long enough to see tangible results.Ryan Johnson [31:44]:
"The lack of being able to have stamina in marketing... they quit before they get results." -
Long-Term Thinking:
Focus on building a customer base that provides recurring revenue, such as service agreements or membership programs.Ryan Johnson [33:19]:
"Most people do it until they're like 20k a month, but they're so focused on short-term gains that they don't think long-term." -
Service Agreements and Memberships:
Creating recurring revenue streams stabilizes cash flow and increases business valuation.Joshua [20:32]:
"So yeah, having the coaching business like really motivated me to like, okay, how do we get now to 2 million and continue to grow?"
Family Life: Balancing Success and Personal Life
Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Ryan has maintained a strong focus on family, emphasizing the importance of intentional time with his children and regular date nights with his wife.
Ryan Johnson [26:03]:
"One of the things that I've done is weekly date night like our life depends on it. We actually just went to a nice steakhouse and we were talking about this last night."
He dedicates scheduled time to his children, recognizing the profound impact of focused, distraction-free interactions.
Ryan Johnson [27:38]:
"Just the intentional time spent with them is really important. ... those 30 minutes to an hour just spent dedicated time with them makes a big difference."
Overcoming Internal Barriers: Mindset and Belief Systems
Ryan attributes much of his success to a supportive upbringing and the absence of limiting beliefs instilled by his parents. Their unwavering confidence in his decisions provided a foundation for his bold moves.
Ryan Johnson [13:53]:
"My parents didn't have anything negative to say. They believed in me, they're like, okay, cool. Like that sounds good."
He discusses the importance of overcoming "Fear Overwhelm Procrastination Overthinking (FOPO)" to advance in business.
Ryan Johnson [13:53]:
"It's more about unlearning things to move forward than it is about learning new things."
Final Thoughts: Encouragement and Future Prospects
As the conversation concludes, Joshua commends Ryan for his achievements and offers final encouragement to listeners.
Josh [45:16]:
"Follow his content. He makes it look easy. Everybody. And great inspirational story."
Ryan expresses gratitude for being featured and remains enthusiastic about his ongoing journey.
Ryan Johnson [45:46]:
"It's been an honor to be here and talk with you and stuff. So excited."
Key Takeaways
- Relentless Action: Consistent, high-volume marketing efforts are essential for scaling a business.
- Long-Term Vision: Building recurring revenue streams through service agreements or memberships stabilizes and enhances business valuation.
- Mindset Matters: Overcoming internal barriers and maintaining a resilient mindset are crucial for sustained success.
- Work-Life Balance: Intentional time with family fosters personal fulfillment and supports professional endeavors.
- Coaching Synergy: Sharing knowledge through coaching not only helps others but also reinforces and enhances one's own business practices.
Notable Quotes
-
Josh [00:05]:
"Your business is a mental war. Your success is a mental war. And making money is a game. And the game of money starts in your mind." -
Ryan Johnson [08:37]:
"I have been blessed with the ability to go after my dreams. If I have a game plan and I know this is the next step, I'll go all in." -
Ryan Johnson [31:01]:
"The biggest things that I've seen after coaching over 100 people is low volume and lack of stamina in marketing." -
Ryan Johnson [36:25]:
"People want to say they're doing 20k, but they're actually doing more like 10. Net profit."
Connect with Ryan Johnson
For those inspired by Ryan's journey and seeking to grow their own business, you can follow him on:
- Instagram: @RyanTheWindowCleaner
- Facebook: Search for "Ryan the Window Cleaner" (Note: Due to shadow banning, you might need to navigate carefully or seek mutual connections)
Conclusion
Ryan Johnson's story is a testament to the power of relentless action, strategic simplicity, and unwavering mindset. His ability to scale a window cleaning business to multi-million dollars while maintaining a thriving coaching program and a happy family serves as an inspiring blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs. By implementing the strategies and insights shared in this episode, listeners can weaponize their own minds and propel their businesses to new heights.
