09/04/2026
Are you running your business with too much personal risk? 📊💡
Many founders focus purely on growth and scaling, but they overlook a critical question: When is the right time to sell or de-risk?
When your business grows, a disproportionate percentage of your net worth becomes tied up in a single, illiquid asset. If market disruptions, industry shifts, or health issues hit, you could lose a massive chunk of your wealth without time to recover.
To help founders manage this concentration risk, author and executive Adam Coffey shares a simple formula: The Rule of 130.
👉 How it works:
Add your Age + Percentage of Net Worth Tied Up in Your Business.
Example 1: Age 40 + 80% Net Worth = 120 (You likely have time to recover from a major market downturn).
Example 2: Age 63 + 90% Net Worth = 153 (High risk. A major loss could ruin your retirement with little time to build back).
If your total score is 130 or higher, you have too much risk concentrated in one basket.
What can you do if you score above 130?
1️⃣ Prepare for an Exit: Sell while growth is strong rather than during founder fatigue or market dips.
2️⃣ Diversify: Consider options like a dividend recapitalization to pull liquidity out of the business without selling immediately.
Check your number annually to protect the value you've built! 📈