Top Disruptive Businesses That Rely on the Sharing Economy
The sharing economy refers to the move toward the free trade of goods and services rather than using money to represent value. This refers to a time before civilization – when we would have made deals with one another by discussing what we could offer our friends, fellow tribesmen, and women.
Money is more practical but creates perfect inequality and countless other problems. But thanks to the internet, trade is back in a big way. That’s because it’s now possible to ask an entire community for goods and services from the comfort of your home. Got something you need to be done? Just check the app and see if someone in the local area is willing to do it in exchange for something you can do.
Some of the most innovative businesses in recent memory have been built on this notion. Here are a few of them…
Uber
Uber is a taxi company that does away with the taxis. The idea is that anyone can sign up and then offer lifts through the app, and that users will then have the convenience of being able to choose their driver based on their fee and how far away from them. The bottom line is that getting a lift is much cheaper, and the taxi industry is quaking in its boots.
Airbnb
Airbnb is to hotels what Uber is to taxis. In other words, this tool lets you find accommodation without paying over the odds for a hotel. Instead, you’re paying to stay in someone’s front room, outhouse, or holiday home. And if you have some spare space, nothing can prevent you from making a little money!
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing takes this concept further by allowing users to invite people to stay on their couches for free! The only expectation is that they extend the same offer to other users; that way, they can guarantee they have a free place to stay as they travel anywhere in the world!
Schrock
Schrock is a ‘boot sale app,’ meaning that it allows you to make money by selling old things you don’t need anymore to people in the local area. It’s a great way to make money from something small that you wouldn’t be able to sell elsewhere, and it’s a great way to get cheap things. And you can even trade items directly, doing away with the need for cash!