What we’re about
Welcome to Business Owners Trade Alliance (BOTA) — where smart businesses go to grow. We’re Eastern and Central Pennsylvania’s premier barter exchange, helping hundreds of local companies accelerate growth, preserve cashflow, and tap into powerful new networks.
Through our innovative barter marketplace, BOTA members get access to NEW customers, increased sales, and a smarter way to budget—by spending trade dollars instead of hard cash. Whether you're a contractor with unbooked time, a restaurant with gift cards to offer, or a service provider looking to expand, BOTA helps you convert what you already have into what your business needs.
### As a member, you can:
- 🔄 Convert excess capacity into value — Trade unused appointments, gift certificates, inventory, or project time for trade dollars that spend just like cash.
- 💸 Control costs without sacrificing quality — Use trade to pay for marketing, legal services, printing, bookkeeping, employee perks, and more.
- 📈 Win loyal customers — Grow through referral-based business, not price cuts or discounts.
- 🌎 Access global opportunity — As part of the International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA), you’re plugged into a network of 100,000+ trading partners worldwide—while still benefiting from BOTA’s strong local connections.
### Come Network, Learn & Grow With BOTA
We offer three unique types of events designed to help business owners connect, learn, and grow—whether you're already a BOTA member or just curious about what barter can do for you or for your clients.
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#### 1. Free In-Person Networking Events
Our open networking mixers and trade shows are perfect for any local business owner, entrepreneur, or professional—even if you don’t currently barter OR if you can support businesses in other ways. Meet successful BOTA members who represent a wide range of industries, form valuable connections, and potentially discover future trading partners, referral partners and cash customers. These events are all about making genuine local connections in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
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#### 2. Online Barter Education & Marketplace Previews
Interested in how barter really works? Join us for our interactive online sessions, where we give potential members a live, behind-the-scenes look at the BOTA barter marketplace. Through screen sharing and live demos, you'll see actual trades taking place, who’s involved, and how members are earning and spending their trade dollars daily. It’s a fun, informative way to explore the possibilities of joining as a member or supporting the barter economy through referrals.
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#### 3. Members-Only Open Office Hours (Fridays, 2–3 PM)
Exclusively for current BOTA members, our weekly Open Office Hours are your opportunity to:
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Learn about exclusive trade offers from both local and international partners
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Ask questions about the platform, best practices, and potential trading partners
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Promote your services to other members
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Connect with new members and strengthen relationships within the BOTA community
Perfect for new members or seasoned traders looking to stay plugged in and maximize their membership!
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📞 Questions? Curious about how it all works?
Call Scott at (610) 207-6296 or Maria at (484) 225-6063 for a quick overview of how BOTA can help your business grow through the power of barter.
