I like bartering. I think it should come back in style, and I think practices like bartering and good-faith loans use to form a microeconomy that kept a lot of small boats from sinking when times were bad. Bartering is also the sensible mode of commerce for people who have specialized skill but not a lot of liquid assets to spare. Hence, I decided to approach some small businesses and offer to re/design their sites in exchange for whatever they were producing.

One of the first places I went to was a metalsmithy/gallery in the Bay Area. Co-owned by two women, it seemed like a perfect place. Their site was getting decent traffic, but was very much in need of skilled labor. I presented my credentials and intentions and offered to redo the whole thing for a ring. Initially, she seemed interested, then apparently decided it was some sort of a scam. Sadly, most people won't believe you when you offer a good deal with no strings attached.

I did a comp and logo design for them after the favorable first contact, but never got to present them.