Trading Floor

Discussion: 4 Comments

• Posted by Dawn Maturen on January 3, 2010 6:55 AM

  I didn’t own a business going into this recession. I was a stay at home GM wife and mother until my husband was laid off.

  I decided to start a business specifically to help people, small businesses and family farms in my state of Michigan to weather this difficult economic climate. And, most importantly to foster relationships between locally owned businesses and their customers. I believe it is worthwhile and important to eat locally produced food, shop and dine locally and support Michigan entrepreneurs, artists and musicians. I also wanted to find a way to share my love of Michigan travel with our children- even though my husband is laid off and money is quite tight.

  And so, The Michigan Barter Marketplace was born! It is an online bartering community for Michiganders to trade goods and services. We will also feature interesting stories about Michigan businesses, travel and activities- with a special emphasis put on “buying and trading locally” in The MBM Blog.

  You can view the community at www.mibartermarketplace.com and I am available anytime to explain further or answer questions. Please feel free to contact me. Thank you and happy 2010!

  Dawn Maturen The Michigan Barter Marketplace www.mibartermarketplace.com 989-293-2463

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• Posted by Kryshon Bratton on January 20, 2010 9:45 PM

  My business has seen growth while others have struggled because, I have never taken the business for granted. I have maintaned a lean and mean philosophy without cutting corners. I have diversified the business so that there was never just one type of client base. Our services go above and beyond our competition. But most importantly, I have have a solid employee base that I am thankful for everyday. I also take it upon myself to look out beyond my business to see what is happening in Washington, Wall Street, and Main Street. This has helped me be prepared and able to adjust to current market conditions while maintaining and/or increasing our profits.

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• Posted by Val Trooien on February 3, 2010 5:06 PM

  I began selling Tupperware in April of 2006. Since the recession my average ticket sales have gone UP about 35%. Where as many other HBB owners I’ve spoken with have seen sales sprialing downward. My sales increase, I think, has occured for a few reasons 1. people are eating out less and cooking for themselves more. 2. most are looking to save money by buying in bulks aka- shopping the Costco/Sams Clubs. 3. people are redefining their “entertainment” budget instead of going to a moving their buying bowls 4. people are redefining “entertainment” as a whole- like cooking at home with the family rather than going to a movie. Strangely Tupperware seems to have come out on top of this horrible economy. I believe the company has reported 10 straight quarters of growth. Guess I started the right job at the right time.

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  Posted by Val Trooien on February 3, 2010 5:09 PM

  yes, I meant “movie” not moving, and “they’re” not their. I have 3 boys under 6… that should say it all.

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