Digital Assets Are Business Assets: Protecting Value Before Succession or Sale

What happens when a transaction stalls, not because the numbers do not work, but because no one can clearly prove who controls the company’s website, data, or core digital systems?

In this episode, Elizabeth Ledoux talks with digital asset specialist Paige Wiese about why a company’s digital foundation has become a major factor in business value during ownership transitions and exits. Paige walks through the often invisible risks that surface during due diligence, including unclear ownership, lost access, vendor dependencies, compliance issues, and undocumented platforms that can slow or even stop a deal.

This discussion is especially relevant for business owners, successors, and advisors who want to reduce risk, maintain momentum through a transition, and safeguard the value they have built over time.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What counts as a digital asset in modern businesses
• Why buyers scrutinize digital systems closely, particularly late in the deal process
• The core principles behind securing and maintaining digital ownership
• Common moments during transitions when missing access or documentation creates urgency
• How contracts with vendors can unintentionally shift control away from the business
• Real world examples of digital disruptions and recovery efforts
• Why planning for digital continuity protects both enterprise value and long term legacy
• Practical first steps for organizing and securing digital assets before a transition begins

 

 

Chapters in This Episode

00:00 — Welcome & Why Digital Assets Matter

02:01 — Paige’s Journey & Founding Tree Ring Digital

03:36 — What Counts as a Digital Asset

05:38 — “No Moments” That Trigger Transition Panic

07:29 — Digital Infrastructure as Core Business Value

09:26 — The Seven Pillars of Digital Asset Protection

11:54 — Vendor Ownership & Contract Landmines

14:55 — Delegation, Trust & Knowledge Gaps

16:40 — Digital Assets as Exit-Readiness Infrastructure

18:31 — How Buyers Evaluate Digital Risk

19:53 — Where to Start: Checklists & Ownership Mapping

21:10 — Digital Due Diligence & Trust Building

23:19 — Digital Continuity Management Explained

25:22 — Why Human Support Still Matters

27:17 — Knowledge Transition & Asset Handoffs

28:43 — Real Crisis Story: Sudden Loss & Recovery

31:14 — Reframing Digital Assets in Your Roadmap

33:10 — Acceleration of Digital Dependence

34:45 — Paige’s Final Advice

35:28 — How to Connect with Paige

36:04 — Closing Reflections