Approaching existing business owners about selling

Yes. Here are a few ways to consider:

1. Use a professional intermediary such as an business broker or your CPA to contact and "feel out" the business owner's interest in selling.

2. Find a mutual friend or acquaintance to approach the business owners on your behalf.

3. Directly contact the owner by mail with a sincere expression of interest in the business and full disclosure of who you are and why you're interested.

4. Never just walk into the business out of the blue and try to discuss their selling it! If they don't know you, their answer will most likely be an emphatic no.