The Michigan Barter Marketplace opens for business! Located online at www.mibartermarketplace.com, we proudly serve Michigan small businesses, family farms, craftspersons and individuals. The Michigan Barter Marketplace takes old world barter to new levels, encouraging members to trade resources- not just to maintain their lives and businesses, but to grow and meet goals.
At a time when big box stores dominate the landscape and mom and pop shops are closing at an alarming pace, bartering fosters that old fashioned sense of community, once cherished between shopkeeper and customer. It reinforces the sentiment that we are all part of one community, all neighbors. The results aren't just sentimental. Businesses that barter report up to a 20% increase in their cash business, just from the loyal relationships formed in their bartering community.
Bartering makes it possible for small local businesses to not only meet daily operational needs, it also creates opportunites to better position for eventual economic recovery. By bartering for advertising, remodeling or creative services a business isn't just trading- they are trading up!
Starting a new business can be quite costly, and bartering helps fill needs like advertising, print materials, web design and legal services without breaking the budget or going into debt. With credit scarce and costly, trading empowers a new entrepreneur to meet their goals using their skills and assets, while also meeting prospective clients.
Michigan farms produce an amazing variety of healthy homegrown foods and many have interesting learning opportunities. From sleigh rides to apple cider making, pumpkin patches to wineries, Michigan farms have much to offer. Bartering locally grown food and farm tour experiences brings healthy eating and healthy living home for members- filling up both freezers and minds.
With unemployment climbing to record levels, bartering presents opportunities that exceed the traditional options of going back to school or retraining for a new job. One-on-
Traditional home arts like canning homegrown vegetables, basic car repair, knitting and sewing have taken on new relevance in the wake of economic downturn and provide a great opportunity for intergenerational learning. In the world of barter, communities are the classroom and everyone is invited to be both teacher and student.
Some business and computer skills can be taught quickly. In just a few coffee shop meetings, thanks to wi-fi and laptops, a laid off worker or budding entrepreneur could learn an accounting program, photoshop, business writing, develop a social networking strategy- the possibilities are endless!
Bartering provides a money saving alternative for families as well. When money is tight it can be challenging to replace sports equipment, furniture, musical instruments and video games faster than our kids outgrow them. Trading in these outgrown items saves money and eliminates the problem of storing things that are no longer needed.
Traveling in Michigan keeps money in Michigan. Many families and retirees have cut back on vacation and leisure. Bartering for a hotel stay, cabin rental, use of canoes, event tickets or charter fishing trip is a great way to enjoy some needed down time. Renting a cabin, RV or boat on barter is a great way to maximize the value of those assets and share the love of Michigan travel at the same time.
