Client work doesn't always pan out this way though. They could see an unsuccessful business as an unsuccessful piece of technology. One that you the developer b

Client work doesn't always pan out this way though. They could see an unsuccessful business as an unsuccessful piece of technology. One that you the developer built. Of course large companies and established businesses don't deal like this but the rare individual whose got a lot of cash to throw around will bring the blame back on you. I'd say tell them exactly what OP has written here. If they press on about it and you haven't got the bandwidth to educate them then perhaps connect them with a mentor or two. If the client wants to pay OP to help him make a successful business then I'd say that's a win.