Business Not as Usual

National statistics have shown that 80% of all new businesses fail within the first year.The Rhode Island Department of Economic Development reported that small businesses within the state open and close on an hourly basis -a fact indicative of a healthy economy because this flux in business activity hones the competitive edge.1 Home-based businesses tend to be especially fragile because of the normally interruptive environment and lack of expertise in business management on the part of the entrepreneur.Using guidelines proposed in the National Initiative of Cooperative Extension for Family and Economic Well-Being,2 we decided to test an educational program in developing home-based businesses.The purpose was to encourage young homemakers to use their talents for profit while remaining at home with their families.By providing technical help and information, Extension education could try to prevent a family financial disaster for entrepreneurial homemakers.