Trapped in the earn-out
“Selling your business is one thing. Earning your way out is something else entirely.” In the Lab, we boldly face what no one prepares you for—like what it really feels like to stay on after the deal, when your name’s still on the door but the power dynamics have shifted. This is where the real transition work begins.
When the Deal Is Done but You’re Still There
The Earn-Out Phase and the Identity Gap
You’ve sold the business.
The deal is done. You’ve cashed the check. The first check, anyway.
But there’s a lot standing between you and the next one. The big one. The one that means real freedom.
In the meantime, you're still showing up. You are still navigating the handoffs. You are still handling the integration challenges. Maybe you’re watching your people and culture shift in ways that don’t sit right—all the while trying to figure out your place now that you're no longer “the owner.”
This is the strange, in-between space of the earn-out.
And for many founders, it’s more emotionally complex than they ever expected.
Why Is This So Unsettling?
On paper, an earn-out seems practical. You get to maximize the value of the sale and ensure a smooth transition. But in practice, this stage often triggers a profound identity shift.
Your name might still be on the door—but your authority, your freedom, and your rhythm have shifted. You’re no longer the ultimate decision-maker. Now you’re navigating unfamiliar power dynamics. And even though you moved a mountain by selling your business, you still haven’t fully answered the deeper questions:
What will you do—and who will you be—on the other side of that second check?
The Hidden Cost of Sticking Around
Staying on after a sale without real emotional preparation can lead to:
Quiet resentment (especially when decisions get made without you)
Loss of confidence
Strained relationships at home
Regret that creeps in, even when the numbers say you “won”
The earn-out phase reveals what the sale contract never could: that exit is just as emotional as it is financial.
So, What Can You Do?
At Founder’s Transition Lab, we work with founders who are in exactly this moment—navigating life after the sale, often before they’ve fully left.
Here’s what we’ve learned:
Identity doesn’t disappear—it evolves. The founder in you still exists. But the context has changed, and your sense of value needs new anchors.
Clarity comes from asking better questions. What do you want the next chapter to stand for? What values do you want to lead with, even now?
You don’t have to wait to feel fulfilled. Many founders assume peace comes after the earn-out. But you can create meaning during the process—not just after it ends.
Your Exit Isn’t Over. But It Can Be Intentional.
If you’re in the earn-out phase and feeling stuck, adrift, or just “off,” you’re not alone. This isn’t a failure. It’s a natural part of transition—and one that deserves support.
Let’s talk. Not about financial strategy, but about you—your mindset, your vision, your next chapter.
You’ve already sold the business. Now let’s make sure you don’t lose yourself in the process.
Interested in more?
Schedule a call with me or Chris. Or take our Founder’s Transition Readiness Assessment to see where you are in the journey.
