Owner and Founder Agreements (Part 6)

This part of the guide has 6 pages so far. Each page answers one question, shows what to do, and ends with an audit check you can use on your own business.

6.2 Owner and Founder Agreements

• 6.2.1 Ownership Percentages and Capital Contributions: Learn how to record each owner’s exact share and what each person puts in, from cash to equipment to work, so business partners avoid fights later.
• 6.2.3 Decision-Making Authority and Voting: Decide who can approve spending, hiring, contracts, and emergencies, and how owners vote on everyday and major decisions, before a disagreement starts.
• 6.2.5 Deadlock Procedures: Set up a written plan for when owners are stuck on a decision, from a cooling-off period to mediation to a buyout, so one fight doesn’t sink the business.
• 6.2.6 Buy-Sell Provisions: A buy-sell agreement sets the rules for what happens to an owner’s share if they leave, die, become disabled, retire, or want to sell. Learn what it covers.
• 6.2.7 Intellectual-Property Ownership: Make sure your business owns its logo, website, photos, code, and processes. Learn how work-for-hire rules and written assignments decide who owns what.
• 6.2.8 Confidentiality Obligations: Learn how owners, employees, and contractors should protect customer lists, pricing, and processes, and the notice federal law says to put in confidentiality agreements.