I have been a business owner all my life, and I would NEVER attempt to "run" a business long-distance. "Running" a business means exactly that: YOU run it. You have to be on top of your business all the time, making sure that customers are treated properly, inventory is in line, books are balanced accurately and honestly, etc. Yes, there will always be shrink due to a moderate amount of internal theft, but that is the price of doing business. We have only one location of our retail chain that is a bit away (1 hour driving time), but we are lucky in the fact that it has been run by a dear and trusted friend for the past 10+ years. Not all friends/family can be trusted.