Founder and Owner Dependence Due Diligence

Determine how much of the business's value depends on relationships, skills or labor that will leave after closing.

Map owner tasks

Document weekly responsibilities, decision rights, vendor relationships and undocumented know-how.

Separate labor from goodwill

Some owner work can be hired; personal relationships and reputation may be harder to replace.

Test documentation

SOPs are useful only if they actually allow another person to perform the work.

Structure transition

Transition support, training and staged handover can reduce risk when dependence cannot be eliminated before closing.