Good Neighbor Podcast: Rochester
Bringing Together Local Businesses and Neighbors of Rochester
Good Neighbor Podcast: Rochester
EP#120: Metro Trading Association with Stuart Aldrich
What if you could boost your business connections without spending a dime? On this episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast, we explore the fascinating world of modern bartering with Stuart Aldrich from Metro Trading Association. Stuart's journey from the corporate world of ADT Security to transforming how businesses trade goods and services is nothing short of inspiring. We tackle prevalent myths about bartering, shedding light on the tax implications and debunking the misconception that it's a tax-free practice. Stuart's insights position barter transactions as a savvy, compliant way to enhance business operations.
Ever wonder how you could expand your business network at zero risk? Stuart shares an exclusive offer for our listeners: mention the podcast and you can waive the application fee and enjoy a free first-year membership with Metro Trading Association, with only a 12% commission on referrals. It's a golden opportunity for local business owners to broaden their horizons. Beyond the professional insights, Stuart also opens up about his personal life, including the joys of fatherhood and his love for family camping trips. Don't miss this enriching episode filled with valuable advice and heartfelt stories.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Lisa Swiftney.
Speaker 2:Hi everyone and welcome to episode number 120 of the Good Neighbor Podcast. Today I have with me good neighbor Stuart Aldrich, and he is with Metro Trading Association. Hi Stuart, how are you?
Speaker 3:doing today, hi, lisa Doing. Great Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2:Thanks for being a guest. Let's tell our audience about your business. What is Metro Trading?
Speaker 3:Metro Trading Association is a barter company or a trade company where we trade goods. Basically it's trading things that you have for things that you need, and we do it on a credit-based system, like a points system. So it's dollar for dollar, point for point. So some call it trade credits or barter bucks or trade dollars. So it takes the old school bartering that they did back, you know, before I guess currency was around and uh, and you know we're doing it in a credit basis so that way you can kind of network and exchange business with other business owners by utilizing, you know, your unused goods and then you can get things that you need. So it's's a nice system. It's been around since 1978, at least Mental Trading Association has one of the first in the country and yeah, so it's kind of like using, it's like a credit card system, but its own kind of proprietary private currency, so to speak.
Speaker 2:That's great, tell our listeners about your journey. Great, tell our listeners about your journey. How or why did you get started in this business?
Speaker 3:So I was working for ADT Security I just got out of the military in 2008, and I was in a Genesee County chamber event. Mike Mercier, the owner of the company, came up and was looking for somebody to help grow the Genesee County area, the Flint area in Michigan. There, and the way he talked about it and explained it and what it was all about. I was kind of getting burned out with selling small business alarms for ADT security and the camera systems, mostly because I was working three times as hard for a little bit less money, because I was doing so well with the business that they just kept putting reps in my area. Because you know how sales companies go If you do well, they put a little more people in your area. So anyway, I was kind of looking for something, anyway, casually, and after the meeting I went to Mike and I said, hey, I'm interested in what you got going there. I think I believe in this. This is cool.
Speaker 3:So we went across the street, had a coffee downtown there in the bricks in Flint, and hour later he hired me essentially and I was like, cool, I start next week, you know. So I, you know, gave when you're in sales you don't need two weeks notices. So basically I just finished up my jobs there with ADT and the next Monday I was back at Metro Trading Association and got trained up and you know I started signing people up like crazy because I just believed in the mission. It was just cool how everyone supports each other without having to go to meetings. It's like networking or BNI or Chamber without having to do a meeting. And I loved it. It was cool, so I had a great time with it.
Speaker 2:What an amazing story. Can you tell us about any myths or misconceptions that you hear about in your industry?
Speaker 3:One of the big ones and I just came into this again yesterday or actually Friday that it was tax-free and the IRS looks at barter or trade the same cash, dollar for dollar, as regular dollar currency. So some people think that it's a way to do business without having to pay taxes. But in fact at the end of the year we have to give out a 1099-B for barter. It's a tax document that you have to file with the IRS and that is one of the big things that people think that when they talk to me that they're going to get kind of under the table kind of business, but it's all treated the same as a regular tax dollar. So that's one of the big things. That's a big misconception in the trade business.
Speaker 2:I would never have thought of that. That is, that's true. People don't even think of that. So, tell us a little bit about you when you're not working on your business. What do you like to do for fun?
Speaker 3:So I just had a new baby. Last year my wife and I got a. I think he's 15 months old now, so I'm busy with him, with lincoln, so he's uh, yeah, he's cool and uh. So I, just any chance I can get, I spend time with my boy and uh, and now we're starting to get into camping again. I promised myself back in I was at 2004 uh, I would never camp again because I, when I was deployed, I was just burned out with the tents and I did survival schools and all that and I was like, okay, you know what, no more tenting, I'm done camping. And then my wife talked me into it. So now it's, you know, but it's different now.
Speaker 3:So it's the family, the kids, if you're eight years and older, on the campgrounds. There they're able to run free and they just love it. All kids kind of. It's like old school, you know, back in the day, where all the kids run together, ride bikes and it's neat. So, uh, the camping we do is more on resorts. It's a the outdoor adventures, so it's a timeshare based area, so everyone has running water and electricity and you know those nice clean bath houses, so, and there's a lazy river and like four pools and you know all kinds of stuff on the campgrounds for the kids to do, and I usually I'll find me building a fire. I'm still I'm a fire bug, so I play with fire and that's what I do it's a sense of community.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, you're always meeting somebody new and everyone's walking by and it was real friendly. They're all in their golf carts and the kids are in the bikes and you know it's nice. It's like, uh, back when I lived in clio, back in, or frankenmuth. I grew up in frankenmuth too and ride my bike around town.
Speaker 2:It's just nice so that is good, so, and it's good that you still have those um you're creating um, those moments that create memories. So yes yes, your kids will remember that forever yes. So can you describe one hardship or a life challenge that you rose above and can now say because of that challenge that you're better for it and are stronger?
Speaker 3:I'd say you know a real recent one was that I was laid off, with most other people going on right now it seems like. Anyways, in January I was laid off after working for a company for eight and a half years, which is why I worked for Mental Trading Association about a decade ago Actually, I think it was July 2013. We looked at my old records and I hired in there and then I worked there for a couple of years and then, basically, I was headhunted and then uh off, made an offer I couldn't refuse. So I went and worked for them and thought I was gonna basically retire there. Of course, I guess most people do whatever. I had a good gig and uh, so I was laid off in january but was offered a huge severance package and just a bunch of help.
Speaker 3:The company I worked for was great. I don't know if I should mention it or not, but I mean, there's no hard feelings, you know. But it ended up being great because you know at the time what my son was, what? Six months old, I think. Yes. So he was born in June. So, yeah, six months old.
Speaker 3:So I was able to stay home and hang out with him and we have a really nice fireplace wood stove that I just love burning wood in, and so I was able to pretty much keep that running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just for like a hobby to do, and, you know, because I was up all night with him anyway so and I don't sleep anyway. So it was that worked out well for my wife, because to get up at 3 am, 4 am and take over the early morning shift it was no problem for me, because I'm up anyways usually having a coffee or watching the fire. So here comes Lincoln down the stairs and we just hang out the couch and watch the fire. You know it's cool. So, yeah, like it was, I got lucky.
Speaker 3:The company I had was, you know, I got a nice, I guess a severance package. So I was able to hang out for six months I think. Finally in June May or June timeframe we were just kind of talking like all right maybe, you know, I guess it's time to go back to work.
Speaker 3:Maybe the early retirement thing hasn't working out for me so much. I'm getting kind of stir crazy and, you know, kind of bored. So and uh, so it worked out great, though while she needed me, when he was really, you know, going through the long nights, uh, I was there and I I loved it. And now now I'm back to work again and doing the old, you know traditional nuclear family thing again. So that is great.
Speaker 3:I'm sure your wife appreciated that right oh yeah, and we all bonded really well too, you know, with the kiddo and stuff like that. So perfect.
Speaker 2:So what is one thing you wish our listeners knew about your business?
Speaker 3:One thing I get actually a lot when I'm talking to people is that they want cash business is what they tell me.
Speaker 3:Like I need cash. And it's a hard concept to wrap your mind around trade dollars if you don't, I guess, really understand it as much as I wish I could portray to people. And even my wife was in that same line of thought because I actually signed up. We had an LLC for a little while and I put it under Metro Trading Association because I was like this is the best way to grow our company. People are going to know us, they're going to talk about us. Everyone's a business owner and everyone knows everybody. So, even though we may not get, she was selling bath bombs and shower bombs and uh, you know, uh, shot lotions and things of that nature that were all homemade. And I said you know everyone's going to mention us and so you know we'll get that, that money, at trade dollars anyways. And then in exchange we get referral business and um, and then in exchange we get referral business and it's one thing to kind of wrap your head around that you will pay for. You're leaving your overhead to free up things that you need to pay cash for. So like consumers power. You know DTE energy doesn't take trade dollars, but you know your HVAC people might, or you can get printing done on it and so you save your cash. Get your printing done for your menus or business cards. Now you got more cash business left in you to pay you or to pay for bills. That doesn't take trade dollars.
Speaker 3:And we did a trade show for Metro Trading which is coming up on October 16th actually this year, and you know we made like $1,000 or something like that or $1,200 in a matter of four hours at the trade show in trade dollars. And you know she was blown away. My wife was blown away because she was like, well, we made more money in four hours. We made all summer at the farmer's markets, for I think there are four to six hours per day on a Saturday and a Sunday. Plus you got to drive there, you got to set up, you got to unpack, you got to drive home. It's hot and you know not, I love farmer's markets. We made friends there. But the fact of the matter is that we made more money in four hours at the trade show than we did all summer.
Speaker 3:And then with that money, the trade dollars I literally got, uh, you know, gas line installed from my uh generator that I have. I converted it to natural gas, so when the power goes out, I don't get you know, unleaded gas at the gas station. Um, I made, I converted my my gas grill from propane and natural gas so I have unlimited fuel now and, uh, I got my my air conditioner tuned up, all on trade dollars that I didn't have to come out of pocket for. I paid the 12% commission on it. So it was $120, I actually, and plus our product, whatever that cost us. But I got all that done. Basically, let's just say $200. That's like a wholesale. You're kind of getting HVAC things done on wholesale prices because it was just excess inventory and we had fun anyways and it was great.
Speaker 3:So the more I wish I could portray to business owners about yeah, you're not getting cash for the trade business I'm sending you, but you're going to free up cash to pay for other things that you can't use. So that's one of the biggest things. I wish you know it would be more advertised and it's and trade and barter isn't. There's only very few select business schools that even talk about it. I think OU does and it's really cool that they talk about in the entrepreneur classes, about the. You know are are my business, like trade. So I think that's really cool. I think it's OU that does that anyway.
Speaker 2:That is good so, and we need more business classes for our children that are coming up and going to school, or even in high school. You know, for kids who don't want to take the college path, because I know trades is hurting and they need a lot of need a lot of people there too.
Speaker 3:Yes, yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2:So our listeners are now intrigued. They want to learn more, so how can they contact you?
Speaker 3:So metrotradingcom is the best way. That's metrotradingcom, or the phone number is on there, but it's 248-244-0000. And I'm also on LinkedIn as well for Stu Aldrich Metro Trading, so those are the best ways to contact us. All the information's on our website. I'm always available, or the brokers are always available between nine to five, and you can give us a call there and get more information or go to the website. It's all in there too, and you can even sign up online as well. I did want mention, if you uh mentioned, uh, the good neighbor podcast. Uh, when you talk to us and let me know where you came from, I'll give you a 400 free sign up uh in the metro trading association. So wave the application fee of four dollars and the first years monthly as well, which is usually 19 trading cash. So just you know that you got my information from here and we can get going. So all you pay for is the 12% commission for the businesses I send you. So literally you're not paying for anything until I can get you business. It's a win-win.
Speaker 2:That is amazing. Well, Stu, thank you so much for being a guest today on our Good Neighbor podcast.
Speaker 3:Yes, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1:Thanks for listening to the Good Neighbor podcast, rochester. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnprochestercom. That's gnprochestercom, or call 248-988-9600.