We want to make this holiday season the best one yet for you and your businesses. You have family to spend time with, events to attend, and employees to reward. We want to make this holiday season as seamless as we can, so here are 10 ways to use BizX for the holidays.

Need A Hand With The Holidays?—Email help@bizx.com or contact your account manager for help with any of your holiday planning, presents or events.  

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with. BizX is more than a company, BizX is a collaboration! 

Every successful business needs customers. But acquiring those customers can be tricky. What to do, where to start and finding the time are all common problems for the busy business owner. Luckily there's a method to the madness no matter what industry you're in!

Here are some game winning strategies for locating your next wave of customers!

At BizX, our purpose is to improve the lives & businesses of our members - and this guides our team every day. The experience of our members is paramount.

Looking for qualified employees who will take your business to the next level?

Another Source is a recruitment agency for entrepreneurial-to-mid-size businesses with a track record of 28 successful years, delivering results with a flat-fee model. 98.5% of the time, their candidate pools exceed client expectations. The West Coast is their backyard, but their playground is national. And what’s more, their 21-day and 30-day engagements move at the speed of your business.

When things are good, its easy to go buy that new toy or take that lavished vacation. But when the economy is thriving, there is no better time to raise capitol or invest in your company! Paying off debt or investing in your infrastructure is MUCH harder to do when cash is tight, or business is slow, so make sure you take care of that stuff when business is good!

Here are 5 things to focus on when things are going well!

There is not enough time in the day. It's the most important resource any of us have! Which is why time management is one of the biggest challenges in the workplace today. 

To protect your time, you need to be merciless with how you manage it, but you don't want to convey that same ferocity to your team. Here are 7 ways to protect your time, while protecting your teammates at the same time. 

Email Marketing is a fast, flexible and cost-effective way of reaching out to your customers and prospective companies. In today's fast-paced world it's a no-brainer. It's not a question of whether they should, instead it's a question of how, or where to get started.

Don't worry, there are definitely people out there who have wrestled with these same issues! In this case, it's your competition! 

In the fight for highest ROI, in terms of marketing tactics, referrals come out on top every single time. And it's not even close. When compared to inbound marketing, email campaigns, PPC ads, SEO and the rest, referral marketing as the highest ROI by far. 

So it's no surprise that referrals are a huge point of interest for a lot of businesses. Read on to see why referrals are so important and some of the best methods for gathering referrals. 

The ability to attract and generate leads is what determines the success of any business. But how to attract those leads depends on the company and industry.

Lead generation should be unique to each business depending on the solutions they offer, but there are definitely some similarities with how things are done from business to business. Here's a list of do's and don'ts any business should follow!

LinkedIn is out there trying to help freelancers and small business owners get noticed in the ever growing, and often over-populated business landscape. Read up on how this new tool will help you stand out in the crowd.

To stay successful as a business owner, the right decisions need to be made at the right time. The success of your business depends on it. Knowing how to identify and leverage emerging trends can make all the difference in today’s competitive landscape.

Read up on the 7 strategies, Forbes Council Member and Business owner, Diana Rodriquez-Zaba uses to stay ahead of the competition and identify trends that impact her business. 

Most any business has a website nowadays. What is less understood is that just having that website is not enough. You have to keep it updated, not to mention secure. After a number of years you have to redesign it too. Traxx Indoor Raceway had been a longtime client of Super Charge Marketing’s for lead generation (Google ads sending interested people to their site to convert as customers). When they asked us about exploring a website redesign, we were excited to help. 

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with. BizX is more than a company, BizX is a collaboration! 

Aaron Muller believes in good, old-fashioned service. AA Auto Service Center in Redmond WA, is a place where customers go to get the best of modern auto repair technology, served with a smile and a customer service that leads with the heart.

There are currently 4 Neighborhood Grills locations where you can spend your BizX dollars: the Bremerton Bar & Grill, Eastlake Bar & Grill, Lake Forest Bar & Grill and Maple Valley Bar & Grill. Their famous happy hour is available at all 4 restaurants, and they serve fresh, local vegetables, local seafood, burgers, steaks and sandwiches, all washed down with Northwest spirits, wine and beer.

Their goal is to be your go-to local spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and as a BizX community member, you’re already part of the family here.

Bringing people together in mutually beneficial ways—this is the principal reason why BizX exists today, helping business-owners trade products and services using BizX dollars to preserve their cash flow and grow their businesses.

Most Westerners assume that asanas, or poses, encompass all of the teachings of yoga. In truth, the ancient Indian philosophy is based on 8 disciplines -- yama (attitudes toward our environment), niyama (attitudes toward ourselves), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), pratyahara (sensoryrestraint), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (complete integration).

Located in the Grass Valley neighborhood of Oakland, California, the Oakland Zoo is managed by the Conservation Society of California, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife both locally and globally.

A dentist, a fundraiser, a fashionista, an opinion-maker–Dr Libbi Finnessey of Bellevue Dental Health wears many hats, and she does it with so much style and confidence, it is hard not to admire the sheer grit and passion that has inspired this Bellevue dentist to become a vocal advocate against domestic, sexual and emotional violence in the state of Washington.

La Jolla Sports Club was born out of owner Brett Murphy’s commitment to wellness and a passion for entrepreneurship he inherited from his parents. The club, located in La Jolla, California, offers cycling, yoga, high-intensity interval training, Pilates, barre, adult fitness, zumba and dance and group meditations in a modern, 23,000 sq ft space with top-of-class amenities like equipment for all skill levels, child care facilities, adept physical therapy, sports rehabilitation etc.

Making an impact in the smaller, local markets can be a real boon for small businesses. Winning over local advocates and getting your name out in business circles can change the tide and open up incredible opportunities. New customers and referral business will start to pour in if you make enough of an impact locally.

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with. BizX is more than a company, BizX is a collaboration! 

Digital Marketing is incredibly important for a business. Social media, your website, SEO, online advertising and email marketing are all pieces of digital marketing. Each piece represents your brand, helps bring in new leads, and educates customers. 

You read that right. Coffee. Is. A. Superfood! You can finally indulge in this caffeinated goodness with a clear conscious.

The 26^th annual Swedish SummeRun and Walk for Ovarian Cancer is coming up FAST! Team BizX will be out in force and WE WANT YOU THERE TOO!

The biggest and best things happening in your community! Help us celebrate these accomplishments, after all, at BizX, its small business week every week.

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

Over 70 miles of beaches, sunshine and sand to explore.  San Diego offers so much more than great weather for locals and travelers.  What better way to experience San Diego to the fullest than through BizX. 

Businesses go under all the time, for a plethora of reasons. CBInsights looked at 101 different reasons businesses fold and found the top 10 killers. Most of these can be avoided or at least prepared for. Take a look!

BizX enables business owners to turn their spare capacity into value. Empty tables, unbooked hours, empty hotel rooms - all swapped for BizX dollars, a currency redeemable at any of our 6,700+ business members. How BizX members spend their new revenue varies and is driven by their business & personal priorities, but there is one priority that is more common than the rest. GROWTH.

One of the best ways to utilize your BizX is to grow your top line by investing in media. And in case you don't make it to the end of this article, fill out this FORM and we'll reach out to you to help build your media strategy. Read on!

The biggest and best things happening in your community! Help us celebrate these accomplishments, after all, at BizX, its small business week every week.

 Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

It’s hard to find good help, and it’s even harder to keep them. Especially for small businesses.

The unemployment rate is 3.6%, the lowest it’s been since December 1969. Which is great for workers, but bad for the smaller companies that make up the majority of U.S. businesses.

Having an advantage over your competition is key in today's competitive landscape. The best, and often easiest way to achieve a competitive advantage is with excellent customer service! 

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

You may be aware of a snow storm hovering over the Pacific Northwest, otherwise known as Snowmageddon 2019.

Watch the video or follow the steps! Running a BizX transaction has NEVER BEEN EASIER!

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

We want to make this holiday season the best one yet for you and your businesses. You have family to spend time with, events to attend, and employees to reward. We want to make this holiday season as seamless as we can, so here are 10 ways to use BizX for the holidays.

Need A Hand With The Holidays?—Email help@bizx.com or contact your account manager for help with any of your holiday planning, presents or events.  

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

BizX San Diego is EXPLODING! The San Diego BizX Community is over 400 members strong and growing by the day! This means you have TONS of new places to spend your BizX in San Diego!

From 24 hours, to a week-long getaway, we have everything to make a trip to San Diego an epic success! Hotels! Restaurants! Entertainment! And more! Spend your BizX to explore San Diego in style.  Just like anything else you do, before you spend cash, think BizX!

 Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

This article was originally posted on TechBullion. Read the full article here.

Bob Bagga is the Founder and CEO of BizX, a community of local business owners who buy from and sell to one another without spending cash, within the BizX network.

Article by BizX co-founder and CEO Bob Bagga was originally contributed to Startup Nation. Read the full article  here.

 3 Cash-Free Solutions to Startup Growth

You’ve heard it time and time again: small businesses are the backbone of our economy. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) found that small businesses  represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms. These businesses have also contributed to 64 percent of new jobs and have paid 44 percent of private total payroll in the U.S. And yet, despite the economic foundation small business owners provide, their companies, along with startups, are struggling to grow and survive.

Article by BizX co-founder and CEO Bob Bagga was originally contributed to Business.com.  Read the full article here.

If a small business owner wants to experience growth, they must learn to identify and monetize their excess capacity. Find out how you can implement this unique growth-hacking tactic to expand your business!

Look at all the new members that have joined our flourishing network! Check out all the new places to spend your BizX and all the community members to work with.  BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! 

Article by BizX co founder and CEO Bob Bagga featured on Business.com.  Read the full article here.

Article by BizX co founder and CEO Bob Bagga featured in the Bankless Times. 

The Top 3 Financial Technologies Disrupting Small Business Markets

A blog article by BizX member Tony Robbins.

If you’re a business owner, then you know there is a massive difference between starting a business and building a business. And the gap between a great idea and a great business is a tough one to close. Because it’s not enough to create a product or service. No matter how innovative, beautiful or extraordinary, if it’s not marketed in the right way to the right person, it’s never going to get off the ground.

Read the recap below, or link to the full blog here.

One of the key struggles for any new business owner is figuring out how to get a company up and running without breaking the bank. Startup costs can cripple an entrepreneur and kill the business before it’s realized, so minimizing these costs is critical for any new company.

One option for reducing costs - that didn’t exist prior to the Internet - is the possibility of having an online presence only. Many businesses are forgoing the traditional “brick and mortar” style in favor of operating solely online.

BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration! This past month, we had nearly 40 new members join the community! See what new members have joined and check out all of the new places you can use your BizX!

A blog article by Tony Robbi 

Getting your small business off the ground can be a difficult task, and keeping it afloat and profitable can seem impossible at times, but sticking to a budget is half the battle. Even the most budget-conscious businesses can still feel like their money doesn't stretch nearly far enough, though.

That’s because businesses leak money all the time  without even knowing it.

Another successful referral contest is in the books! For 7 weeks, referrals and social shares rained down from the BizX community from all three offices.

BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration. This past month, we've had over 40 new members join our growing community! See what new members have joined and check out all of the new places you can use your BizX!

This week our nation celebrates small businesses – the heart of the US economy. Local business owners collectively employ over 48% of the American work-force and, in countless ways, truly keep our economy and communities running.

It's true that growing companies must manage overhead costs. It is also true that the cost of the talent needed to reach the next level can be a challenge for small companies that want to be larger. But, we believe that you can scale without becoming unprofitable. To manage the hurdles of business growth without losing it all, focus on three things: people, process and metrics.

 Read recap below, or link to the full article here.

A blog article by Tony Robbins.

When we think about successful startups or small businesses, we think about companies that create massive growth in a short period of time. But once the business hits an inflection point, revenue shoots up sharply towards the sky.

Read the recap below, or link to the full blog here.

A blog article by BizX Member Tony Robbins.

You may only think of leadership in the context of how you lead your business, but in fact, this is a critical error that you should avoid. Leadership should be part of the everyday culture of your business. Employees at all levels of the company can lead, and when they do practice great leadership in their work, they will enjoy greater empowerment.

Follow these tips for turning employees into leaders and increase your company’s productivity as your empowered employees take charge:

Read the recap below, or link to the full blog here.

Ask salespeople to list their least favorite selling activities, and you can count on “prospecting” being at the top of the list. And, the least favorite of all prospecting activities is unquestionably making  cold calls.

The reasons may be prospects have an unending list of excuses for dismissing salespeople before the prospecting call conversation actually gets started. Those prospects who do listen to what the salesperson has to say still say that they’re not interested, regardless of how many features, functions, benefits, or advantages the salesperson mentions. Why is this?

BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration. This past month, almost 50 new members joined this growing collaboration! Check out all these members that joined the community, giving you more ways to spend your BizX and potential new customers to meet for the upcoming year!

Everyone knows who the Oakland A's are. They are one of the oldest professional baseball teams and they've been an Oakland staple since 1968. The Athletics have won nine World Series championships, the third-most of all current MLB teams.

The Oakland Athletics are also BizX members.

Stores around the country are looking to make more sales and increase revenue, but many are failing. Why is this?  Quit making introductory offers to strangers and start engaging with past customers happy they did business with you.

 Read recap below, or link to the full article here.

We are excited to announce that we have moved our BizX Bay Area team to a new home in Berkeley! We've teamed up with fellow BizX member,  Sandbox Suites, to move our office into their premiere co-working space for businesses and entrepreneurs alike.

BizX is driven by its purpose to improve the lives and businesses of its members. But how does BizX actually improve anyone's business?

Hair stylist and business owner Rachel Hile had always dreamt of applying her professional skills to make a difference in the community. Upon discovering how few opportunities existed for volunteerism in the beauty and wellness industries Rachel and Jessica Dahl decided to start their own!

They started out providing haircuts and arranging makeovers for underprivileged men, women, and children, knowing that someday, they would start her own organization where they could make a much larger impact.  

When you’re not in a city like Miami, Las Vegas, or Los Angeles, the opportunity to rent a wide variety of glamorous cars doesn’t really exist. And unless you have the budget to buy a Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Rolls Royce, driving one of these super cars is something most of us only dream about.

Seattle’s only exotic and luxury car rental company wants you to stop dreaming and start driving. Zadart Exotic Car Club & Rentals makes dreams come true and puts you behind the wheel of cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis at unbelievably affordable prices.

BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration. This past month, almost 50 new members joined this growing collaboration! Check out all these members that joined the community, giving you more ways to spend your BizX and potential new customers to meet for the upcoming year!

Your most loyal customers, those dutiful and devoted, are the type every business strives for but doesn't know how to attract and cultivate. Loyalty is hard to build but easy to maintain and absolutely worth the effort to create.

Every year, the stars align in America's Finest City, and celebrities, film makers and industry enthusiasts alike flock to the glitz and glamour of the annual San Diego International Film Festival (SDiFF), which packs a year’s worth of entertainment into five days of parties, celebrity tributes, award shows, and of course, independent and premiere film screenings.

“I get excited,” Eastside Exterminators’ President and Co-Owner Deanna Townsend said. “I’ve helped so many customers.” It’s with this passion for their customers that keeps employees happy. It has become a company culture that is reflected in its motto: “Get it. Want it. Have the Capacity to do it.” 

A gathering of smart business owners with a common purpose – it’s a part of our manifesto, but also describes the last few days! With two networking events within the last week, the BizX community has been out in full force!

OK here it is..  Last year this time we thought it would be AGES until we had to take on the big T again. OK. With that out of the way, let’s get on to the good news.

This year, you have the opportunity to make “Tax Time” a whole lot less painful.  Let me explain. 

In November of 2017,  Gene Juarez Salons & Spas, the most reputable and luxurious salon in the Pacific Northwest, decided to move their flagship salon to The Shops at The Bravern in downtown Bellevue. When it came time to plan the grand opening of their new flagship store, Gene Juarez made sure to include BizX in the planning.

We at BizX are proud to announce the newest addition to our growing family! Dan Austin has recently joined the BizX team as the Vice President of our San Diego Community, and will be leading our dedicated team to live out our mission and purpose with a commitment tosupport the local business community.

BizX is more than a company,  BizX is a collaboration. This past month, more than 30 new members joined this growing collaboration! Check out all these members that joined the community, giving you more ways to spend your BizX and potential new customers to meet for the New Year!

“It’s not a splurge - it’s an investment.” Brian Scudamore said it best in his article, “Why Team Building Is The Most Important Investment You'll Make.”

The BizX team didn’t know what to expect when Bob Bagga, our CEO, made the announcement of a surprise company event. Anticipation grew high the week leading up to that Monday, and many of us tried to guess what was in store.

Creating an offer on the BizX Marketplace is incredibly easy and the best way to increase your visibility within the BizX community.  We teamed up with long time BizX Member and laptop bag and case maker, Brenthaven, to demonstrate just how quick and easy it is.

Congratulations Rose from Image360!

Congratulations to our winner of the#BizXCheer  hashtag contest, Rose Mednick from Image360 in Tacoma! We surprised Rose earlier with a three-night stay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!

What a way to close out the 2017 year! Over the course of the year, the BizX community raised an astounding $389,576.19 BizX dollars for the charities and non-profits in the community. To finish the year strong, BizX is donating 1% of all transactions from the month of December, and allocating those funds to fuel philanthropic initiatives in our communities throughout 2018 and all the years to come!

A blog article by Tony Robbi 

 This article shares what you need to know in order to establish a top-notch lead generation system.

New Year’s has a way of getting people pumped up to make health and fitness changes in their lives. Making the resolution is the easy part—the real fun starts when you start eating better and hitting the gym.

This is where your BizX dollars come in.

Your employees are the face and lifeblood of your company. They are in the trenches every day making sure your company and dream continues to flourish. Show how much you appreciate their hard work by opening a BizX Perk account for them! Perk accounts give people the freedom to choose where to spend their bonus at anywhere BizX is accepted–whether it's at a physical store or on the BizX Marketplace! 

What can you do this holiday season to drive more online sales via email? Read on for three simple tactics, below, and link to the full article, here.

This week the pumpkins came down, and the white lights went up in my Manhattan neighborhood signaling that the holidays are just around the corner. Which means that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just a credit card swipe away.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and the festive spirit is brewing, especially for marketers -- hooray for Black Friday. In the spirit of blessed capitalism, here are 10 killer strategies you can implement to capitalize on this year's Black Friday.

It’s hard for small businesses to compete with the big guys. But that’s why there’s Small Business Saturday. Read recap below, or link to the full article here.

Small businesses are the essence of BizX and the lifeblood of the community, and this Black Friday weekend we want to celebrate the small businesses with our Small Business Weekend Sale!

Skip the lines, avoid the chaos, SAVE YOUR CASH, and shop small this Black Friday. Not just for Black Friday, but all weekend long with BizX’s Small Business Weekend Sale!

Everyone uses social media. At this point, it’s basically a must. While the vast majority of businesses have created profiles on the major social networks, few businesses really “do” social right. Project Bionic, a Seattle-based social media marketing agency, is trying to change that. Like any successful business, they got their start by recognizing a need and creating a service to meet that demand.

As you approach the homestretch on a successful 2017, and round out what’s left of your Holiday planning, look to BizX to help you close out in style. Here are the top 10 ways to use BizX through the holidays! 

Before you spend cash for the holidays–think BizX.  Email help@bizx.com or contact your account manager for help with any of your holiday needs!

Growing a business is a roller coaster of emotions and energy. Here are 4 things numerous entrepreneurs have done to stay motivated through it all. They come from lifelong entrepreneur, business consultant, and university professor Michael Glauser, as he shared with Entrepeneur magazine.

One of the  most costly and challenging things a business must do is the hiring process. The average cost to find, hire and train employees can be in the thousands. Here are several strategies that may help when hiring the right people for your business.

Before you begin your hunt for a web partner, it’s helpful to know yourself, know your goals, and know how much money you can spend on the project. The more you can guide the early conversations, the better you can set the agenda and get the website you want, and maybe even the one you need.

It’s not easy to work when the sun is temping you to skip responsibilities and take a half-day. In fact, a recent study shows that workplace productivity drops by nearly 20% in the summer months. Bring the summer fun into the office so employees feel encouraged and fulfilled. Need help creating a seasonal escape? Check out our tips and tricks to rejuvenate your workspace for the rest season:

One of the reasons why we start a business is to see it grow.  If you can leverage the force of optimization and maximization, you can learn how small, incremental improvements in certain areas can result in the growth for your company.

Members from all around the community are hiring BizX caterers to do their lunches, parties, meetings and receptions! BizX does it at least once a month!

Imagine all of the time and energy you could save by using your BizX dollars to hire a caterer for your next event, party or meeting!

Any type of food, any type of event, on any budget. There are dozens of options to choose from, all of which are waiting to help you make your next event a smashing success. Leave the stress, the food and the planning to the professionals so you can focus on entertaining your guests and having a good time. 

Social media has clawed its way up into an essential part of our lives. From connecting with friends to getting real-time updates on global news, it now plays a significant role in our daily lives.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes are turning to social media as a marketing channel. You are probably already following some of your favorite companies on Twitter or Facebook, but is anyone following you?  Not personally, but your business.  Creating a social media presence for a small business can be daunting; with these 6 steps we will help you dominate the competition.

Open a Perk account for your Friends Family or Employees and BizX will give them an extra 25 BizX!

Your employees are the face and lifeblood of your company. They are in the trenches every day making sure your company and dream continue to flourish. Show how much you appreciate all of their hard work by opening a BizX Perk account for them and give them the freedom to choose what to buy this holiday season by giving them BizX dollars of their own to spend anywhere BizX is accepted!  Open one before the holidays and BizX will add $25 BizX to their account. 

Another BizX Holiday Party for the books!  Here at BizX HQ, we’re still on Cloud 9 following Tuesday's night of dancing, drinks, and networking.

We are greater than the sum of our parts. We are in this together, for each other. We are the business of community.  We are BizX.

For us at BizX, these are more than just words. The final verse in our Manifesto, these phrases are core to our DNA. And through the fast-paced, quasi-hysterics of modern day office life, we do our best to maintain our focus on our absolute purpose: To improve the lives and businesses of our members.

At  BizX, we’re all about tradition. But not all traditions are created equally.. For example, the tradition of waking up the day after Thanksgiving, at 4AM, and rushing to your local big box retailer to get in line and be the FIRST to score that late model flat screen for a few percentage points below the EverDayLowPrice. This isn't for us. We can get behind traditions like spending the Friday after thanksgiving lolling around the house, watching football with family, and taking it EASY. Then waking up on Saturday and coming out in support of another great American institution–the SMALL BUSINESS.  

BizX’s new mobile app was created to help members better spend their BizX by making the community more visible and accessible. To help you better use the app and understand its functions we will be putting out a series of emails and blogs to help!

Networking might not always be at the top of your priority list. It can be awkward, time-consuming and downright un-appealing after a long day at work. But it’s also one of the most rewarding and beneficial things you can do for yourself and your business.

It’s not easy to introduce yourself to a bunch of strangers. But like social media, SEO or brand awareness, networking is another investment into your business's future. Just like a good social media presence or strong brand identity, good networking can be the difference between a successful business and a bust.

Keep your business on the successful side of the scale by using the following tips to up your networking game.

Life can get pretty hectic with our crazy schedules, family activities and other obligations. Sometimes just fitting everything in that needs to be done can seem overwhelming. But no matter what your schedule says, make sure you have time for yourself to improve and grow. Here are some simple suggestions to get you started.  

BizX’s third annual Black Friday Sale is almost here! Mark your calendars, get comfy, settle in and prepare to shop from the comfort of your own home. No lines, no crowds, no hassles.

Avoid the chaos and get all the best deals the BizX community has to offer. Over 60 BizX members from across the community have slashed prices on hundreds of items! Expect to see amazing offers from companies like Nature’s Inventory, FiveLo Arm Sox, Hand of God Wines and All Star Massage & Spa!

Getting your web project off the ground can feel like the haphazard toss of a twelve-sided die—you’re probably surrounded by nerds, are up way past your bedtime, and have a lot less fun than you should. The wrong roll for your organization can end up costing a lot of money, time, and ultimately hurt your brand.

Before you begin your hunt for a web partner, it’s helpful to know yourself, know your goals, and know how much money you can spend on the project. The more you can guide the early conversations, the better you can set the agenda and get the website you want, and maybe even the one you need.

You’re considering hiring an entertainer for your party or banquet.  For this general article, it doesn’t matter whether you’re planning comedy or music or a caricature artist.  Outstanding entertainment can help make your event fun and unforgettable.  But if you don’t have anyone specific in mind, how do you find someone who will do a great job? 

The biggest shopping day of the year is quickly approaching. Even though Black Friday is traditionally dominated by big box stores, there is still room to get in on the action. Do you have a plan in place? What are you going to discount? Are you going to open early? There is a lot to consider when really planning things out.

It doesn’t have to be hard. BizX’s Black Friday allows for small and medium sized business to participate in a shopping holiday that has otherwise been dominated by the big box stores, and all from the comfort of your own home.

Join us at BizX’s 2015 Shopping Day, Tuesday, December 8^th from 3 – 7:30PM a the Renton Pavilion

This is a must attend event. There will be tons of different things to buy using nothing but BizX dollars.  Come stock up on Christmas gifts, treat yourself or just come to mingle and network with the hundreds of other business owners and entrepreneurs.

You did it – you built the perfect website for your brand, no easy (or inexpensive) task, for sure. You go live with the new site and you wait for all of your followers to pile in – and you wait, and wait.

Sometimes getting users to your site can be a difficult task, but social media is changing that.

Your computer freezes, shuts off, or just generally does something that it shouldn’t - what do you do?

If you are anything like me, you sit and wonder. Then you might try turning it on and off again. After that, it’s time to start looking for help.

If your computer breaks down, much like if your car breaks down, who are you going to call? Not Ghostbusters, the guy you call is Gilbert Cerda of Knockout PC Repair.

Every business owner has their own story for how they came to where they are today. It probably all started with a dream. That appeal of "being your own boss" and calling all the shots does have a ring to it. But very few know what it is like to own a company before they are hardly old enough to drink. Meet Makayla Thom, the 21-year-old owner of Heritage Blossom's. In the past year she's bought her own company, taken a trip to Italy, jumped into the learning curve of running a shop, oh, and of course, become a member of BizX. 

Employees act as the face and lifeblood of a company. They need to be motivated, happy and able to work as a team. This leads to more productivity, better retention and ultimately more cash flow for the business.

Most companies turn to activities or team building events of various degrees. At the pinnacle of these sits the king of cohesion, John Chen and Geoteaming, the innovative team building adventure around the sport of geocaching.

There are pieces of furniture and then there are works of art that double as furniture. Works that exude the theme or vision of a setting, something that is either a grand find or a custom job. You know the type, the ones that ooze craftsmanship and talent, where you can actually see the love and passion imbued into each piece. Jesse, of Crafthammer Design is an artist of such caliber.

Maybe you’ve seen his work in a magazine or perhaps you wandered by the showroom in Kirkland.  Perhaps the rustic, aged feel really stood out when you saw his work at the 2014 Holiday Party or one of the tradeshows he has attended.  Whenever or wherever you saw a bench, table or chair made by Crafthammer Design, it surely left a lasting impression.

We recently had the chance to sit down with the owner and operator of Crafthammer Design, Jesse Wood, to talk furniture, fabrication and of course, BizX.

When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross is there to help. Whether it strikes a household or entire communities, through house fires, floods, hurricanes, landslides and earthquakes the American Red Cross is there to help those affected.

Though most widely known for its disaster response, the American Red Cross is much more than that. Through the generosity of volunteers and donors, the American Red Cross is able to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of catastrophes and emergencies.

Whipple Auto Body has been a member of BizX since 2007 doing almost $100,000 in business since then. This family run business operates out of their Hayward location in the Bay Area.

The auto body shop, known for their brilliant work restoring or fixing cars, has been a fixture in the local community for decades. It’s more than just the business that has shaped their direction – it’s the love of cars.

Customer Service – it’s all the rage and if your company isn’t offering the best customer support and service, you’ll be passed over for one that is. Poor customer service caused 78% of consumers to not complete a transaction according to a survey conducted by American Express.

Have you ever hit a giant, suspension-rattling pothole and wondered aloud why someone hasn’t done something about it? If that pothole is in your business parking lot, P3 can help you do something about it.

P3 is Pacific Pavement Protection and they know that curb appeal is an important factor for any business, as it is the first impression your customers will have of your company.

Enter to win!  

It is the time of year people reflect on their past performance; what they've accomplished and what they intend to achieve in the year ahead.  Our purpose is to help all entrepreneurs and business owners so we are giving away coaching from one of the world's best - Tony Robbins. Enter to win now! 

Like most businesses, referrals are a major source of growth for BizX. To show our appreciation for the continued support, we decided to host a random drawing to reward our referring members with a chance at winning a trip to Mexico!

The campaign ran for two months, ending the night of our Washington Holiday Party, where we drew the winning member’s name.

However the lucky winner, Allan Thomason, was not there the night his name was drawn, but it didn’t take long for him to find out.

We’re just a couple of days away from one of the biggest shopping days of the year and hopefully for us, our biggest Black Friday sale yet!

For our third annual event, we’re expecting record participation, with over 50 confirmed businesses, offering deals on toys, apparel, gift cards, massages, car details and more. Our goal is to double our participation from last year to give our BizX businesses a head start on meeting their year end goals, while doing a little holiday shopping for themselves as well!

This week, 766 Seattle-based BizX members came together at The Foundry by Herban Feast, to kick off the holiday season with drinks, dancing and a little holiday shopping too!

I’m thrilled to share that our members raised ¤22,973 for BizX charities by bidding on silent auction items like a football autographed by the Seattle Seahawks’ Richard Sherman. We love when our members can come together as a community to share with and help other businesses and the community.

Having a vacation home is a popular goal amongst most working adults. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, vacation-home sales jumped 29.7 percent in 2013 to an estimated 717,000 last year from 553,000 in 2012. Whether it’s a condo on the beach or a cabin in the woods, many adults enjoy having access to a home away from home.

As the world evolves customers needs change and grow, creating new opportunities for companies that embrace change. Like all successful companies, BizX has undergone many changes - launching of the online marketplace was the biggest and most noteworthy so far. Then, just a few months ago, BizX opened that same marketplace up to the public, creating an online ecommerce experience for all. To round out these pivotal steps, we reinvented the BizX persona by overhauling the logo, creating a recognizable currency symbol and revamping the website.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, now is a good time to update your listings if you have something to offer, or peruse the website if you’re looking to please that special someone.

BizX has been the go-to for many members for special celebrations like Christmas, birthdays, and of course Valentine’s Day, where members can take advantage of their accounts and also please that special someone.
“I’m looking forward to seeing an increase in business for the special day,” said Syroos Monzavian, from Flower Outlet & Gift in the Bay Area. “We’re always pretty busy anyways, but we’re looking to build our BizX account and we’ve already gotten quite a few calls from people.”
Popular items and surprises bought and sold in the past with BizX have included diamond-covered tennis bracelets, gift certificates for spa days, dinner at BizX restaurants, and all-inclusive stays at resorts in Mexico.
“It’s been nice to tap into my BizX account for holiday spending,” said Eddie Redman, who owns Grand Event Rentals. “I’ve built up my account in a smart and strategic way, and have earmarked my BizX for items I’d normally be spending cash on. To use my BizX on gifts for family – and friends – has been a nice way to surprise people, and also has saved money in my bank account!”
To update listings, members just need to log-in to their account and enter their username and password. Once they click on the tab that reads “My Store,” BizX partners can then add items they’d like to offer. Pricing should be as competitive as it is in the cash world, and crisp, brilliant images are recommended for getting your product noticed.
“Creating a great offer is really important,” says Austin Yuen, BizX Digital Marketing Specialist. “Not many members know this, but products are assessed in the first 90 seconds and a quick initial judgment is made whether to make a purchase or not.” Yuen also adds that offering multiple product view and alternative images lead to 58% more web sales.

We are pleased to share that the free BizX App is here and ready to use. Never before has it been easier for our members to use BizX on the go. Whether you are looking for a nearby BizX restaurant, hotel, or spa or want to use BizX dollars to pay for your advertising campaigns, office improvement projects or healthcare expenses, the BizX App has you covered.

Yes, that’s right. You can use your BizX dollars to spruce up your office or home with signed lithographs artwork by Picasso. While many of you are familiar with using BizX dollars for everyday meals, travel, office or home expenses, you may have missed the opportunity to buy signed artwork pieces that will last a lifetime. So, if you’ve been waiting to splurge on that perfect piece of artwork, then now is the perfect time to pull the trigger using BizX dollars so you can keep that hard-earned cash in the bank.

The first lithograph is called “Profile de Homme” signed by Picasso in 1957. Login to the BizX marketplace to purchase.

Since 2002, we’ve focused on making businesses and individuals more efficient and prosperous. We’ve come a long way and have grown immensely, thanks to our members, hard work and dedication. Now, we are happy to announce that we’ve raised our first outside round of financing from prominent angel investors that will enable us to significantly ramp-up our growth and enhance the BizX customer experience.

What exactly does this mean for our members? It means that we will be (and have been) working day and night to introduce cool new products and features, such as mobile apps, enhanced search, online self-serve options, public marketplace, electronic payment, e-gift cards and a loyalty program. It also means that we are ramping up our sales effort to expand BizX nationwide so members will have more businesses to trade goods and services with. In short, the BizX experience is only going to get easier and better and the community is going to get a lot bigger.

We are proud to introduce you to the new BizX Marketplace!
Along with a new look, we have made the following improvements to our website:

Mountain Springs Lodge Resort
Leavenworth, WA

All sales made using BizX dollars are reported to the IRS as well as to each member with form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions.

Just like our members, we have been moving and shaking behind the scenes; now we are unveiling a new fresh and friendly website. Check it out at www.bizx.com and stay tuned as it continues to improve.