Just about any business with surplus capacity or inventory can take advantage of bartering. Barter works particularly well for startups and others who may need to compensate their cash flow. What better way to start earning people's business right away! Bartering allows members to use excess capacity to fund the purchase of goods and services they need to start or operate a business. FACT: In a service-based business, income often depends on the ability to charge an hourly wage. Time that is not accounted for does not produce income, so a service-based business can benefit from using barter to turn excess hours into hard goods.