Business Swap Shop - Launched!
Business Swap Shop (bswapshop.com) is a collaboration between Blow your Own Mind (BYOM) and Hot Lizards Designs; two small businesses whose customer demographic are those who will receive less support from Government to help sustain their businesses through the crisis.
The three business women, Lisa Smith, Vicki Hodgson and Kati McKeon hatched the idea of a trading website that would provide business services or products to sole-traders and those small businesses without employees, to preserve cash.
The website www.bswapshop.com supports a system of exchange specifically for micro-business owners whose cash flow has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis; where businesses directly exchange goods and services without using the medium of money, as in the early days of commerce.
Businesses are invited to join the portal under their business category and region and articulate what they will accept in return for their goods or services. A simple sign up process requiring minimum information gets them online swiftly and connected to the wider business community. The B2B portal provides connection and much needed profile to business owners who are feeling vulnerable.
“Being entrepreneurial is a necessity more than ever in such uncertain times as well as post COVID-19 crisis, as the knock effects will be around for a while” said Lisa Smith co- Director of Blow Your Own Mind. “We felt compelled to assist the community with whom we’ve worked with so closely and show entrepreneurial leadership”.
“Collaboration has always been our modus operandi and having been a client of Hot Lizard Designs, we knew exactly who to call to get this portal up and running” said Vicki co-Director of BYOM.
“Our one disclaimer is that we take no responsibility for the facilitating of trades, and users swap on their own terms and conditions. Furthermore, we encourage users to speak to their accountant about any tax liabilities. But we’re delighted to be responding to a very urgent need that will assist sole traders to survive and perhaps even thrive through these unparalleled times.” she added.
“Cashflow is a concern for small businesses at the best of times, but a form of bartering has always been around. Having this in place can support those micro businesses during this difficult time, and hopefully build both a solid referral network and genuine online reviews so they are in a stronger position moving forward.” noted Kati.
The website is live and sole traders are invited to join the community and take back some control in their lives and livelihoods.
PLEASE NOTE:
Listings are currently being accepted for small and micro businesses located in Western Australia. Business Swap Shop will be expanding to accept businesses from other Australian States & Territories shortly!