Challenge: Bagel shop owners Tom and Ann are partners in business, as well as in marriage. They wanted their local restaurant to grow despite stiff competition from well-advertised national chains - and they wanted more from life as the family worked together building their dreams.

Solution: Work with the ITEX Marketplace to structure an innovative approach to finance their new home and to develop the new business necessary to repay their loan.

Results: Instead of spending their time simply dreaming, Tom and Ann put together a growth plan that raised a few eyebrows. Despite well-heeled competition from national chains, they grew from a single restaurant in 1993 to a five-restaurant chain including an active catering business... all receiving a solid boost from the ITEX Marketplace . ITEX dollars helped Ann and Tom reduce the cash they spent out-of-pocket on marketing, store fixtures, legal fees and other business expenses. And that's not all.

Tom and Ann wanted a larger home in a better neighborhood for their growing family. ITEX showed them how. They used a $55,000 loan in ITEX dollars as a down payment, Tom and Ann were able to buy the home they wanted sooner, pay less in interest, and reduce the size of their monthly cash payments. ITEX dollars also paid for a new fence, pool service, even private school for the kids. Plus - the house has appreciated in value - giving them $175,000 equity in just three years. Call that a good investment? Tom and Ann do.

"The ITEX Marketplace helps us keep money in our pockets and helps us begin valuable relationships with business people we wouldn't have met under other circumstances."

ITEX Members learn to leverage their personal assets - as well as their business assets - to get more out of their business and to enhance the quality of their personal lives as well. Let ITEX show you how to leverage your assets and build wealth - so that you and your loved ones get more out of life.

Isn't quality of life the thing we're all working for?