As an advertising executive and owner of Creasy Woolfolk Concepts,
Cindy Creasy Woolfolk had witnessed and experienced a decline in advertising
dollars and budgets soon after 911. Two of Creasy Woolfolk Concepts
largest clients sold to out-of-town companies within a six month period.
Cindy knew that Creasy Woolfolk Concepts would weather the storm,
but also decided to open a business that not only performed well in
a good economy but actually thrived in a bad economy.
Cindy was familiar with the barter industry as she knew several
owners of a trade exchange in New Orleans, LA. Throughout a ten
year period she watched Crescent City Trade Exchange grow and prosper,
offering its members a unique approach to grow and market their
businesses. After a lot of research, phone calls and conversations
with trade exchanges and trade exchange members from all over the
country Cindy decided to open a trade exchange in Richmond, VA.
James River Trade Exchange was incorporated in July of 2003.
Cindy felt that Richmond needed a professional trade exchange and
set out to create a business model that differed from most, concentrating
on customer relations, individualized accounts and a user-friendly
system of tracking barter transactions. James River Trade Exchange
has an open membership which allows perspective members to see the
wide range of businesses and services that are already participating
in JRTE. JRTE encourages members to reach out to one another directly,
but also offers brokering for those businesses who want to limit
their participation and daily interaction with other members.
James River Trade Exchange will consider any company for membership
as long as the owner fully believes in and practices integrity,
quality and professionalism in their business. To date, James River
Trade has signed up over 300 members and averages five new members
a month. James River Trade Exchange is the member’s trade
exchange. JRTE employees enjoy assisting members in arranging and
recording transactions, making introductions, hosting events and
providing them with essential information. Existing members are
encouraged to reach out to fellow members to solicit sales and attend
networking opportunities. Each member is urged to recruit new businesses
as well as bring prospects to quarterly socials. These socials allow
JRTE members and their guests an opportunity to network and learn
about barter experiences. For those who have fully embraced the
concept of bartering, membership in James River Trade Exchange has
proved beneficial time and time again.
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