What happens to your business if your top customer walks away, your main supplier raises prices, or your key employee quits? In this episode, Joseph Curry explains how dependency risk — relying too much on one customer, supplier, or person — can quietly destroy your business value and limit your ability to sell.
You’ll learn about the Switzerland Structure, one of the 8 Drivers of Company Value, and how building neutrality and independence into your business can make it more resilient, transferable, and attractive to buyers.
This video is part of our ongoing series on the 8 Drivers of Company Value, designed to help Canadian business owners increase the value and saleability of their businesses — whether your goal is to exit soon or simply build a stronger, more independent company.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro: What happens if your key customer leaves?
00:40 – What is dependency risk?
01:20 – The Switzerland Structure explained
02:25 – Key indicators: customer, supplier, and employee dependence
03:40 – How dependency risk affects your business valuation
04:15 – Examples: Tesla’s supplier diversification
04:55 – Netflix and content independence
05:40 – What buyers look for in resilient companies
06:10 – How to reduce risk: customer diversification, supplier redundancy, SOPs
07:00 – Real-world implications for deal structure and valuation
08:10 – Recap: Why independence = higher value
08:45 – How to find your Value Builder Score
09:10 – Closing: Next driver of company value
YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT:
- Dependency risk can lower your valuation, even if profits look great.
- The Switzerland Structure helps your business run independently of any one stakeholder.
- Aim for no single customer to make up more than 15–20% of your revenue.
- Build supplier redundancy — think of it as supply chain insurance.
- Cross-train employees and document SOPs to reduce “key person” risk.
- Learn from examples like Tesla (supplier diversification) and Netflix (content independence).
CALL TO ACTION
- Request your Value Builder Score: info@retirementplanningsimplified.ca
- Subscribe for more insights on building, protecting, and exiting your business
ABOUT JOE CURRY
Joe Curry is the host of Business and Exit Planning Simplified and the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Joe is passionate about helping business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and find purpose beyond their business. His mission is to ensure clients retire with confidence—financially secure and personally fulfilled.
You can reach out to Joe through:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/curryjoe
Website:
https://matthewsandassociates.ca
https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca
ABOUT BUSINESS AND EXIT PLANNING SIMPLIFIED
The Business and Exit Planning Simplified podcast offers clear, actionable guidance to help business owners maximize value, plan successful exits, and achieve financial freedom. Hosted by Joe Curry, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, each episode delivers expert insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies tailored for service-based entrepreneurs approaching retirement. The...
9 Min.