Let’s talk about the thing no one wants to touch with a ten-foot pole: What happens to your business if you’re not around?
If you’ve built your brand, your client base, and your operations with your brain as the main hub… well, congrats and also: yikes. Because if something happens to you—whether it’s an emergency surgery, a mental health break, or something more permanent—your absence could send your business into chaos.
Enter: The Entrepreneur’s Death Folder.
In this post, we unpack the essential tool every founder needs to create ASAP—not just to prepare for the worst, but to lead like a real CEO.
What Is the Entrepreneur’s Death Folder?
It’s a digital continuity plan: one organized, secure place where all your critical business info lives. Think logins, client care steps, workflows, contacts, key team members, financial info, and more.
This is the system that lets someone step in—temporarily or permanently—without chaos. It’s not just about dying. It’s about being unavailable. Sick days, sabbaticals, maternity leave, surgeries, breakdowns, travel, family emergencies… life.
Why Founders Avoid This (And Why They Shouldn’t)
- It feels morbid.
- It feels massive.
- It feels unnecessary.
Until it isn’t.
The people who need this the most? The over-functioning, high-performing, “I’ve got it all in my head” founders. (Yep, you.)
Why This Is the Ultimate Act of Leadership
Contingency planning isn’t about fear. It’s about love.
- Love for your clients
- Love for your family
- Love for your team
- Love for your future self
Your absence doesn’t have to be catastrophic. It can be clear.
What to Include in Your Death Folder
- Passwords (via a manager like 1Password)
- Active clients + current status
- Key contacts + roles
- SOPs for recurring tasks
- Who to call first
- Communication templates for emergencies
- Who not to contact
Real Talk: This Is Especially Important If You’re a Solopreneur Big companies have backup. You don’t. If you’re the brand, operator, and strategist—this is for you.
One Action You Can Take Today
Pick your person. Who gets access to the passwords and first-call status? Start there.
This Is Bigger Than Tragedy Planning
This is about:
- Scaling without stress
- Hiring faster and smarter
- Training your team easier
- Reducing your mental load
- Creating legacy-level client care
Whether you’re stepping away for a season or forever, the Entrepreneur Death Folder is your peace-of-mind plan.
Be the founder who doesn’t leave their clients or team scrambling. Build a business that can survive without you – not because you’re replaceable, but because you’re responsible.
Get Julie’s Death Folder: https://dallasgirlfriday.com
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