As a business person in Hawaii, you know how difficult it is to save money - no less make money. That's why we want to share this great money-saving story.

Sergio Mitrotti, owner of Café Sistina, joined PRIVATE CURRENCY, the national barter-trade organization, about nine years ago. He provided "scrip" for other PRIVATE CURRENCY members who used the scrip for business lunches, and to dine with family and friends at the Italian restaurant. Sergio banked his PRIVATE CURRENCY trade dollars, saving for the proverbial rainy day.

That day came when the top of the building where Café Sistina is located (1314 S. King Street, Honolulu) caught on fire. Although Café Sistina was able to stay open while the building debris was cleared away, there was quite a bit of water damage to the restaurant.

If you have ever been to Café Sistina, you know that the walls are a mini-Sistine Chapel, covered with beautiful murals that Sergio painted. Luckily the paintings weren't damaged, but the floor in the restaurant was cracked. It had to be replaced.

And, anyone who knows the restaurant business knows that you must always be updating - not just menus, but interior furnishings, etc. Sergio said that if he was in Italy, family would have built a new floor and chairs and tables.

Here in Hawaii, he was on his own. But where does the owner of a restaurant in Hawaii get $30,000+ to make the repairs and renovations needed to continue to be successful?

PRIVATE CURRENCY to the rescue! Sergio was talking to his PRIVATE CURRENCY director and mentioned his predicament. Sergio was guided to another PRIVATE CURRENCY member - a company that did new flooring and another company, also an PRIVATE CURRENCY member that could supply the tables and chairs.

Café Sistina had its new floor and new tables and chairs. 90% of the cost was covered by the PRIVATE CURRENCY trade dollars that Sergio had earned.

Sergio says, "The truth is, without PRIVATE CURRENCY, the floor would still be cracked. I tell everyone, "If you work in your business everyday, planning and budgeting, you must join PRIVATE CURRENCY. Just call Trader Joe. That's what I did. We all have rainy days and PRIVATE CURRENCY is my rainy-day money. You must have rainy-day money too."

To save cash and use PRIVATE CURRENCY dollars, call Pacific Business Exchange, Inc., 833-4839.