The Holistic Accountant

Ep 168: The key person discount & the sabbatical stress test: why your business is devaluing you

Season 5 Episode 56

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 9:24

Send a text

Here’s a confronting question: If you disappeared for 30 days, what actually breaks?

In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the Key Person Discount, the invisible valuation penalty applied when a business is overly dependent on its founder. Buyers, banks, and investors assume the worst when continuity relies on one individual, and they price that risk in quietly but aggressively.

They walk through the real failure points exposed when founders step away: authority bottlenecks, stalled approvals, missed compliance, decision paralysis, and team over-reliance. Then introduce a powerful concept, the sabbatical as a stress test, not time off, but a deliberate operational audit.

You’ll learn how temporary absence reveals structural weaknesses, how to put guardrails in place, and why a business that can’t run without you isn’t an asset; it’s a job.

This episode is about moving from effort to transferability, from income to enterprise value, and from concentration risk to real freedom.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

Click here to subscribe to our weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

Podcasts we love

Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.

Investopoly Artwork

Investopoly

Stuart Wemyss