my brother did something similar - quit tech because he was burned out, went to the next best bicycle shop and asked if they'd like to hire him, now he owns the place and has ~80 employees
This is not uncommon in the more blue-collar businesses. Many boomers now retire, and they often can't find a suitable successor. Most ambitious young people are being led down a different path via university, so there is a real unmet need in less glorious, but nevertheless still profitable fields. Btw he wasn't gifted the company, he had to buy it from the owners of course - still a good deal.
If you get to know small business owners in these areas, you find that a large number of them have NOBODY to take over the business, for love OR money.
Being a competent employee and you'd be surprised what can happen.
