This is when I first discovered how to trade our excess capacity (i.e. slow-times, empty seats, and unbooked hours) with other business owners and save cash. We traded with services such as SEO marketing, website development, attorneys, and many others to grow from a local business in to a global platform.
That's what triggered the idea for my next startup and we went to work to build Avontage, a democratized platform for local business owners to connect, promote, and collaborate to grow their business without spending any money.
On Avontage, you can sell your offers online or trade with other business owners in the community with a push-of-a-button. In essence, you pay for your expenses with your services instead of our cash, gain new clients, and save money.