A young and influential Justine Kiska is rapidly growing in stature as a businesswoman after re-launching her new website, Barter Smarter. The trading platform allows small businesses (SMMEs) to find a unique space to meet clients and businesses to trade just with a single click.

Kiska is an aspiring South African woman who says she opted to come up with this legendary model of exchanging goods – which originates back to 6000 BC. The system is one of the most reliable in the business or trading sector and Kiska states that their platform allows traders to list a certain number of items on their new-look website.

“Barter Smarter has social features integrated onto our platform which means you can “friend and follow” other users and look out for when they post new trades, you are able to private message users on the platform if you would not like to give out your contact details,” Kiska elaborated.

“The Platform is a safe and free website for South Africans to use as we want to promote growth within our economy. Barter Smarter allows you to list up to five trades on your profile.”

As the system is also known as swapping where people engage in the act of exchanging goods and services without the use of monetary values, the stunning woman based in Johannesburg added that she spotted a glorious opportunity following the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic two years ago. Justine also eloquently explained that the ever-expanding platform is also creating a different dimension in the business sector. “Small Businesses have largely been impacted by Covid-19. Here are a few ways we believe we are assisting small businesses,” she detailed.

“Small Businesses have largely been impacted by Covid-19. Here are a few ways we believe we are assisting small businesses. In trading, small businesses often need funds for resources and growth. This is where we come in, if your small business needs a service or product and cannot afford it, why not trade for it? For example, I just started my accounting consulting firm I am willing to Trade 10 free sessions with a web developer/agency to make my website.”

At the same time, with the latest youth unemployment rate in South Africa remaining at a staggering 65.5%, Barter Smarter also seeks to create job opportunities. Looking at quarter four in 2021, unemployment rose to 35.3% from 34.9% compared to the previous quarter. This remarkable level is dubbed the highest level since the start of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey back in 2008.

The ravaging Covid-19 forced many businesses to cut down their staff while others decided to close doors, but the trading platform is also about providing a tailor-made solution to the problem many economies are currently facing. Kiska is also an avid reader of one of the most inspirational writers in the form of the late Daniel N. Robinson.

She quoted the erstwhile American psychologist who once said that: “Money was invented as a lubricant for the barter system, but we’re way overdue for a lube and oil change. The current fixation on money has made many of us view value in terms of money, instead of value in terms of what we need and want,” she referred.

Responding to a million-dollar question as to why Barter Smarter has the potential to make Mzansi and the African continent a better place, she also boldly outlined the marketing or advertising strategy they have put in place. “Every week Barter Smarter creates videos in which we introduce businesses listed on our platform – that are willing to Barter Trade,” continued Kiska. “This is part of our initiative to grow economic activity and bring about networking for our small businesses and unemployed individuals. To better understand Barter Trading, Barter Smarter has equipped our blog page with informative insights on how to start your Bartering Journey as well as useful safety guides.” While the pandemic has eased down a bit, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine means the global economy is suffering and many underdeveloped countries are set to feel the pinch for the foreseeable future.

Such challenges will push the global community to consider looking for ways of making extra cash in establishing small businesses and Barter Smarter may well become the best offering. “The concept of Bartering can date back to 6000 BC, although our recent generations do not seem to partake in this old economic technique, which is why modernising it now shows promise,” concluded the confident entrepreneur. There’s no doubt that Justine is absolutely destined for big things and after investing in the business while digging from her own personal savings, the persuasive businesswoman also reassured her users that their platform is safe and free to use.

Leading her own incomparable all-female team, there is no doubt that – sooner rather than later – they will be spreading their matchless ideas to many African countries and even beyond as they look to introduce this distinctive platform.