“Trade is the best way to expand your business and get things that you normally may not get.” – Eric Solayman, owner of Elite Limousine. BizX Member since June 2006.
The House that BizX Built
It was early 2003 when Digital Quick Color, a Seattle printer, received a call from BizXchange. Ed Denn, the owner of Digital Quick Color, had some knowledge of barter through his experience with trades in the past. Although he had never been a member of a retail trade association, he decided to join without hesitation. “With the risk being minimal, I figured why not,” recalls Denn.
With a significantly large operation, including equipment and staff, Digital Quick Color had capacity that needed to be filled. “I didn’t limit my BizX jobs. I had to keep them [employees and equipment] busy,” Denn said. BizXchange provided an additional sales channel that brought the incremental business to fill some of his unutilized capacity.
BizXchange members learn quickly how to make their BizX dollars work for their business, but Denn took it a step further. After building up his BizX account over a four-year period and then selling Digital Quick Color, Denn decided to use his BizX balance to purchase products and services for his home in Maple Valley.
Upgrading, renovating and remodeling can be one of the best investments a homeowner can make. Remodeling a bathroom or kitchen can give you a 98 percent to 100 percent return (CNN Money.com). Members are finding they can get an even better return on their investment by using BizX for the upgrades. Knowing this and having access to a large array of home improvement resources within the BizXchange membership, Denn began making upgrades.
Starting with the exterior, Denn was able to use other BizX Members to make the home more aesthetically pleasing and increase the value of the property. The rockery around the house and the stamped concrete steps give the house the rustic feel that Denn was looking for. And not only were the “stable style” garage doors purchased with BizX, but the asphalt leading up to them was sealed by BizX member Rainier Asphalt.
Tom Merry of Rainier Asphalt thought that Denn had found some very creative ways to use his BizX. Merry was happy to do the job and in turn used his BizX to reduce some of his budgeted cash expenses. “We were able to use the BizX to cover the cost of repair and maintenance on our vehicles,” said Merry.
Another exterior feature purchased with BizX were the windows and doors on the northern side of the house, provided by Pella Northwest. Pella’s products are considered to be some of the best on the market. The windows save cash by lowering Denn’s electrical bill, and they also reduce outside noise by up to 80 percent. Replacing windows can be expensive, but by paying for them with BizX it becomes an affordable and smart investment.
The interior of the home was no exception when it came to using BizX for making improvements. Members such as Priceless Granite and Ross Display installed countertops, both granite and laminate, throughout the house. Many of the rooms were painted by West Coast Painting. And to add the finishing touch to the living room, Denn purchased a 50″ plasma television on BizX.
One of the house’s more impressive features is the master bathroom, which was a complete addition to the home. At almost 250 square feet, it is often referred to by Denn as “the spa.” Not only were many of the interior and exterior features of the bathroom purchased with BizX, but the original architectural design of the addition itself was done by a member company. Additionally, a large walk-in closet was designed and added by BizX member Closets By Design.
Overall, Denn is pleased with the large variety of products and services he is able to purchase for his home with BizX. “I never envisioned it being so big,” said Denn about the BizX membership. By using his BizX to make purchases for his home, he has not only improved his quality of life but also has been able to greatly increase the cash value of his home.
For more information on ways you can make improvements to your residential or commercial property, and to learn how to account for personal expenses through BizX, contact your Account Executive.
