What is owner dependence, and why does it lower value?
Short answer
Owner dependence is how much the business relies on you for sales, relationships, decisions or know-how. Buyers see it as risk, and risk lowers the price.
What to know
- If key clients only call you, revenue may leave when you do.
- If decisions wait for you, the business cannot grow past your time.
- Buyers may lower the price or ask you to stay for years.
What to do next
- 1Track a week of your time.
- 2List the jobs only you can do today.
- 3Pick one to hand off this quarter.
Last reviewed September 2026 by the Horizon team. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.