Owner independence
Owner independence
Owner independence is a business's ability to operate, keep its clients and make decisions without the person who built it. Buyers measure it before making an offer. The weaker it is, the lower the price or the larger the conditional share of it. It takes two to four years to build.
No commitment. No cost. 45 minutes.
Focus regions: Eastern Townships (Estrie) · Montérégie · Centre-du-Québec · Mauricie · Quebec City region (Capitale-Nationale) · Montreal · Laval · Laurentians (Laurentides). 1 regional partner.
15points to measure your independence
01
The five dependencies that lower the price
In almost every business we see, owner dependence comes through five doors.
- Clients: the biggest ones call you, not the company.
- Suppliers: agreements and pricing rest on your relationship.
- Decisions: nothing important happens without your signature.
- Knowledge: methods, pricing and tricks of the trade live in your head.
- The bank: financing rests on your personal guarantee.
02
The two-week test
Ask yourself one simple question: if you left for two weeks without a phone, what would stop? Each answer is a stone still resting on you. It's the first question of our free audit.
03
How we build it
We don't replace you overnight. We move the stones one by one: introduce the team to key clients, write down processes, set spending limits, prepare a second-in-command. Where it helps, we automate repetitive tasks with artificial intelligence installed on your premises, so the knowledge stays in the company.
That's what an "augmented business" means: one whose knowledge and processes stand without you, partly thanks to tools that stay in place after the sale.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know if my business depends too much on me?
- Take the two-week test: if you left for two weeks without a phone, what would stop? Our free audit measures five dependencies and gives you a score out of 15.
- How long does it take to make a business independent?
- Usually two to four years, depending on the starting point. Client relationships take the longest to hand over.
- Do I need to hire a general manager?
- Not necessarily. Often someone on the team can step up with support. We look at it during the audit.
- Why do you talk about artificial intelligence?
- Because part of the owner's knowledge can be captured in simple tools installed on your premises. That reduces dependence on you and on a few key employees. It is never a requirement.
- Is my business worth more if it's independent?
- As a rule, yes: the risk a buyer sees goes down, so the multiple they accept to pay goes up, and the share of the price tied to your presence shrinks.
Do it with a pro
You can do it all yourself. With us, it gets done faster, and better.
We and our regional partner implement each step directly in your business, while you keep running it.
No commitment. No cost. 45 minutes.
Focus regions: Eastern Townships (Estrie) · Montérégie · Centre-du-Québec · Mauricie · Quebec City region (Capitale-Nationale) · Montreal · Laval · Laurentians (Laurentides). 1 regional partner.