Eddie Redman has owned Grand Event Rentals for over 10 years, and is an expert at arranging events – weddings, large galas, backyard luncheons and events for just about any occasion. The company rents out tents, furniture, stemware, silverware, and accessories required to host tasteful and elaborate parties and events. As with many thriving small businesses, Eddie is constantly on the look out for how to take care of business expenses like advertising, uniforms for his staff, or employee perks. Managing these expenses and still maintaining cash flow in a high fixed cost business can be an ongoing challenge.

Grand Event Rentals has been a member of the BizX network since 2004, and found a new customer stream for their event rental services from other members. Eddie spends a bulk of the earned BizX dollars on advertising to his target market – and loves that he can do it without spending cash. “Advertising in all the programs for the Seattle Opera can get expensive,” says Eddie. Eddie also redesigned the company’s new website using design services on BizX.

Eddie acknowledges that the BizX concept may take some getting used to. “There’s a learning curve. You have to have a constant open mind about what you need.” But with the entrepreneurship of any successful and thriving small business, Eddie finds ways to cover a diverse set of business costs using his BizX balance. Grand Event Rentals donated 2,000 BizX dollars to the Sandyhook Elementary School in Connecticut after their shooting incident. They purchased uniforms for their entire staff using a BizX vendor. Eddie gives away tickets, BizX gift cards, and car washes as rewards to employees. Lamp upgrades, building repairs, air conditioning – Eddie is a master at maximizing the value of his BizX balance by spending on business essentials, and will take any amount of new business through BizX to help fund these expenses. “We are constantly working on a revolving list of what we need. And whenever what we need comes up, we get it.” Eddie also fondly remembers an excellent trip he to took Italy’s Amalfi coast, and stayed at a magnificent hotel with a view – paid for with his BizX balance.

Eddie is a big fan of BizX, and is an active evangelist for the service and what it represents to a small business. He hopes to see more businesses join the network across all categories. His advice for businesses new to BizX

“Try it out. BizX is not just a great way to acquire new customers. It’s also an effective way to pay for businesses expenses without having to shell out cash.”

Thank you for your patronage, Eddie!