Retirement is frightening. It is a new, uncertain journey at a time when peace in life is treasured. Personal financial security is a powerful motivator to keep control of the business. The inability to let go is even more difficult for those who founded their businesses at a time of unemployment or family poverty For many who build successful enterprises, their business is their identity. It is said of one woman business owner, still in control in her 90s, that"work is her oxygen. " Some entrepreneurs started their businesses at least in part to prove themselves to former bosses who had rejected or doubted them. We find that they cling to their creations more strongly than most. For these reasons and others, too many business founders refuse to retire. They insist that only they are capable of running the business. Jealousy or insecurities relating to declining power generate interpersonal conflicts that spoil succession planning or even the performance of potential successorsRetirement is frightening. It is a new, uncertain journey --- at a time when peace in life is treasured. Personal financial security is a powerful motivator to keep control of the business. The inability to "let go" is even more difficult for those who founded their businesses at a time of unemployment or family poverty. For many who build successful enterprises, their business is their identity. It is said of one woman business owner, still in control in her 90s, that “work is her oxygen.” Some entrepreneurs started their businesses at least in part to prove themselves to former bosses who had rejected or doubted them. We find that they cling to their creations more strongly than most. For these reasons and others, too many business founders refuse to retire. They insist that only they are capable of running the business. Jealousy or insecurities relating to declining power generate interpersonal conflicts that spoil succession planning or even the performance of potential successors