When the economy falters, working for someone else doesn't provide much shield over "flying solo".?ÿ It simply means that you will have less say in how or if you continue to work within that organization.
The large firm may have more resources (or may not) to ride out a recession, but they might also decide that to make those resources stretch as far as possible, that you might get pressured to cut corners in your work, or that to keep the home office and certain well-established branches going, that new branches will need to be closed.
Likewise, working for the former employees may be just fine while the economy is good, but when it hits the skids again, you are only an employee, and a high-cost one at that.?ÿ Your position may become less sure than that of some of their better chainmen when costs need to be cut.
The "heir apparent" option might be interesting, depending upon what ownership transition terms you can agree on.
Otherwise, as long as business is good, you will be most satisfied, and probably better off in the long run by upgrading your equipment and continuing "flying solo".
And then there's the obvious: if you decide on any of the other options, you will have to change your RPLSToday user name.
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