Who told them “You have a gift here you can’t just squander it you have to make something MORE of this OPPORTUNITY. Are you gonna sit here on your hands when all these people worked hard to give you a new start? -yada yada.”
Who advised them to finance this way?

I think its great that you have a sense of “escape hatches” alternate planing, profit and loss ratios, and infallible business models.

Stop gripping about money that wasn’t even yours and make with the helpful comments. “Be greatful” Yeah! Those ungreatfull harpers starting a business, probably employing some of the folks who worked on their place, generating employment in the community. Nasty filthy lazy stupid people!

How about the tried and true: Never start a business with your own money; aAlternately put your money where your mouth is , no one will invest if you don’t.

If you are not profitable in 36 months(?) pull out; Before that when you spot an area that isn’t meeting your projections make a concrete plan to correct it with a deadline for results, axe it if it doesn’t turnaround in time. alternately Don’t throw good money after bad.

What are the stats? 4 out of 5 businesses are failures? If the whole thing isn’t working no problem just leave the money you had someone else put up for your idea and hope they won’t be too sore about it.

There is no strictly GOOD advice, no guarantees. Blue chip stocks, sure but don’t GAMBLE on the stock market. Good steady jobs last forever! don’t make waves do as your told. Enron, vaporized 401s sound familiar. How about the almighty American dollar! How’s your purchasing power feeling these days?

I am sorry for the Harpers they went for the American dream “go big or go home”, and they lost the home they had gotten to go to.

Thanks for your time and a chance to rant.
BRIDGET QUIGLEY