My wife is a hairstylist and rents a chair at a hair salon. She’s worked there a few years and the owner has begun hinting that she wants out. Owner is near retirement age. My wife is getting a bit antsy at some of the business decisions being made, and what she would do different. She’s thinking about asking the owner for her price to buy the place out. How does that work? How does that process start (aside from bringing up the conversation).
This could work out really well for you and your wife. You may want to pay for a consult with a business broker in your locale to get an idea of a fair price. As another poster noted, some businesses basically have no value, so be sure not to overpay just because it seems like a great opportunity. Good luck!