Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Stone.
Hi Maria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in a working-class, blue collar family, going out to dinner was only reserved for very special circumstances. If your furniture didn’t need replacing you didn’t get to upgrade it. People spent their money on the essentials. However, when Maria was in college, her mother-in-law to be worked for a radio station. As it is common in the industry, part of her payment for radio sales was earned in gift card trade…..things like restaurant gift cards, jewelry certificates and entertainment events. These are luxuries that trade has afforded Maria the opportunity to indulge in from her college days. When she and her husband Warren moved to Charlotte & owned an Advertising business, they didn’t always need what other businesses wanted to offer them in trade. They had heard of organized trading, did some research found a great offering in Raleigh but a void in Charlotte. After connecting with ITEX corporation headquarters in Bellevue, Washington soon thereafter in 2009, the ITEX in Charlotte office was born.
Maria and her family enjoy taking trips through ITEX, going to events and concerts and offsetting many every day expenses like personal trainers, yard maintenance and house cleaning, all at a fraction of the cost it would traditionally cost them to do so. Outsourcing expenses like these have afforded the Stone family to not only spend more quality time together doing things they all enjoy, but has also allowed them to use those hard costs savings on items that may not have otherwise had the means to afford. Business related charges for things like advertising, printing, marketing, financial resources have all been offset through ITEX which has in turn allowed for the increase of business profitability.
Maria is here to show us how ITEX can help you get what you need for your business, personally and for your employees without spending hard earned cash to do so…..all at a fraction of the cost that it would otherwise be. Maria Stone, ITEX in Charlotte Broker.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With being a small business owner life can sometimes get bumpy. Having access to resources–financial, professional & personal are all key. Finding the right connections take time. Navigating life and business together and having that balance is sometimes a struggle. When you are passionate about what you do, helping others, see joy in businesses growing and knowing you took a part in that growth is naturally a thrill or jolt that keeps propelling you to the helping the next one and the next one. We are do-ers! Keeping the balance is key.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are connectors! We generally know “someone who does that!” With having a huge network of resources that all small business owners (and people in general) need, combined with the enjoyment of connecting people with the right resources, it’s not work–it’s fun!
We are committed to provide real value, trusted resources and a proven program tailored to meet the needs of small business owners. We have a a strong foundation that is grounded in respect and gratitude. Partnering with others is what we do.
Small business owners is who we serve. We offer a network of resources that all small business owners need. Join the network, use these resources and get what you need, all without spending cash. Satisfy the needs of your business, make new connections, expand your marketing, elevate your lifestyle, gift staff, clients, family and friends all while earning business you would not otherwise receive–all while saving your cash!
We are a network of over 350 small business owners in Charlotte and over 12,000 members nationwide (including Canada) who all connect through a group bartering platform. The business owners in our network offer their products & services to the other ITEX members in the network but instead of spending cash dollars with one another, we trade. We do this is a group format so this way the members are getting the exact value of their offering to use with a member of their choosing. Different than one-to-one bartering, our program is one-to-many. This ensures you get exactly what you need and want at the true value of your offering.
We have an online platform, a mobile app & local human resources. We connect our members from organic introductions because of the relationships we make and keep with our members. We send out info to our members via local e-blast, national ITEX marketplace listings, private members-only social media group and community events. Our connections are real and honest.
We are very actively involved in our business. Our members are extremely excited about how we help them grow. We are bringing an average of 6 new members every 4 weeks into our community–57% of our business comes from member referrals! We are very actively involved in the community and make new connections through networking that yield us on average about 29% of our new members each year.
Business owners who have a great margin on their product or service, are out of the box thinkers, are open to new business, have excess capacity of inventory and those that are looking for true connections are great fits for ITEX in Charlotte. Our members realize that this is business they never would have have received otherwise. We are all about supporting local small business owners. When a member does business with another ITEX member, & they do a great job, those members are going to send them MORE referrals. We are very much a marketing platform to small businesses owners in this way. We share leads outside of the network to that yield in cash transactions. When business owners connect thru our platform, strategic connections are formed that lead to more marketing and new business opportunities.
When an ITEX business owner has a need, they look INSIDE the network first to solve their problem through trade all while saving their cash. ITEX dollars can be used here in Charlotte or wherever there is another ITEX member–nationwide. Take trips, elevate your lifestyle, do things that may not otherwise be in your reach.
ITEX is AWESOME!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My family is my biggest priority. Spending time with them feeds my soul. Being together in each others company, every day lives, spending time traveling, celebrating our accomplishments as well as everyday support and love for one another is fundamental. We make each other a priority.
I am all about personal improvement and health. I listen to many podcasts like Mel Robbins, The Skinny Confidential. I love all things natural and enjoy learning from Dr. Mercola, Dr. Ben Lynch. My personal health mentor is D. Stephanie Mottola with Wild River Wellness. She has helped me navigate health and life congruently.
I love reading and enjoy health-ful books like: The Body Book, Wheatbelly, Atomic Habits, Dirty Genes. Anything healthy oriented.
I am Christian am a practicing Greek Orthodox Christian. I love personal training, running, biking, walking, being in nature, gardening, yoga, friendships, participating in Spartan OCR Races and living an active lifestyle. For me, eating whole foods is a key. Building connections with family, friends & community is an integral part of who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charlotte.itex.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itexinclt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itexinclt/?locale=pl_PL
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/68739420/admin/page-posts/published/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFBwcyWYWuZCSHS39S43_g
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itexincharlottenc
