In the early stages looking at a technical industrial services business. Owner in their mid 50s, technically excellent and says the business has outgrown their management capacity. They want a full sale but want to stay on in a technical/operational role for another 5 years or so. For context it's a highly technical field where procedures are certified - so their involvement in the business would in fact be critical. I am looking to operate/run the business so obviously tricky from a staff dynamic point of view. I.e. staff regarding them as the boss long after the deal has been done. Has anyone structured employment terms that give them long-term security without locking me as the buyer into a long obligation in case the relationship breaks down? Contractor terms seem obvious. Obviously needs a long earn out at the very least, combined with a long non-compete to counter the key person risk. Is this an immediate deal breaker? Does this dynamic work in a searcher/operator scenario? If so anyone who has experience with this? How did you structure it? I'm self-funded if that matters.