Date: 2026-09-21 (8:09 PM EDT) Attendees: Michael Houck, Tatem Lindner
Note: Compensation and equity specifics are filed under Owner tier. This file covers structure and framing only.
Summary
Opening conversation in a two-part negotiation session with Tatem Lindner (Jolt co-founder). Both parties affirmed no bad intent; framing was a structural misunderstanding prompted by Tatem changing the payment terms section of the OA.
Core issue: Tatem agreed to 35% equity partly because she expected ongoing per-client cash flow. If per-client payments go away, the equity stake feels insufficient. She needs either 50/50 equity or ongoing cash payment for her time.
Michael’s position: per-client fees structured as indefinite royalties create problems for any future acquisition and do not scale cleanly as the business grows or as AI reduces hands-on work. He prefers solving via a codified founder salary trigger in the OA.
Call ended mid-discussion. Michael stepped away to regroup before continuing (next meeting: 6accfa3c).
Decisions
- No final decisions reached in this call. Two live options carried forward:
- Revert to 50/50 equity split
- Codified founder salary trigger when business hits a profit threshold
- Tiered per-client fee structure effectively ruled out on business-health grounds
Action Items
- Michael: Gather thoughts and reconvene with Tatem (done — next call 6accfa3c)
- Michael + Tatem: Decide between 50/50 equity revision or salary trigger
- Review OA dual-decision clause; add any missing items Tatem wants protected
Notable Excerpts
“If per-client payments go away, the 35% stake feels insufficient. I either need 50/50 equity or ongoing cash payment for my time.” — Tatem
“Per-client fees indefinitely look like a royalty to any future acquirer. It doesn’t scale cleanly as AI or agents reduce hands-on work.” — Michael
“I’m not trying to blow anything up or screw you or anything.” — Michael (opening)
See Granola for full transcript: https://notes.granola.ai/d/bf1cb23c-ad25-46a8-8f7e-b669e9b4c9b4