About.com has an pretty compelling list of 10 reasons to buy a business instead of starting your own, and they all apply to holistic/CAM practices. Given the high failure rate for small business, it’s worth considering.

Buying a Business: The Safer Alternative:

1) Much lower risk of failure,
2) Business generates cash flow from day one (preferably positive cash),
3) Proven business concept and processes,
4) Proven products, services, marketing and sales strategies,
5) Established customer base providing referrals and references,
6) Established suppliers,
7) Trained employees in place,
8) Immediate credibility and perception of success,
9) Seller likely to lend support and may assist with financing,
10) Easier to secure affordable financing to complete the acquisition.

Source: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/buyingabusiness/a/buyingabusiness.htm