The Mesh - Lisa Gansky [63]
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The Mesh Directory
The full, community updated directory of over 1,000 Mesh ventures is available online at www.meshing.it. In the pages that follow you will find an abridged listing of Mesh ventures in finance, fashion, real estate, food and wine, energy, technology, gardening, transportation, home improvement, and many other categories. Each section begins with a brief description of how the highlighted businesses leverage the power of the Mesh to make access to goods and services superior to owning them. In addition, one Mesh venture per category is described in even greater detail. The directory is meant to showcase the breadth of possibility in the Mesh, to give a sense of the type of business models that are in the market today, and to blatantly encourage exploration. Does your company, organization, or business-yet-to-be belong here?
ACCESSORIES AND GIFTS
Mesh companies that offer accessories and gifts are a great way for consumers to enjoy a variety of new merchandise, without the burden of ownership, through rentals, swaps, and gift card exchanges. Jewelry rental companies, for instance, give fashionistas the opportunity to wear rare gems for a fraction of their selling price. Accessory-trading platforms enable members to acquire “new” goods in exchange for gently used jewelry and beauty products. Other companies trade unwanted gift cards for cash or swap them for gift cards redeemable at the consumer’s preferred companies.
Who says you can’t be both chic and practical in today’s financial climate? Not Adorn. A pioneer in the jewelry rental business, Adorn helps people glam up for special events and stay within budget. They give customers the opportunity to enjoy a range of accessories for all occasions without emptying their savings on one highly prized, but seldom worn piece. To gain access to Adorn’s Meshy jewelry, people must first sign up for a free membership. Customers then identify jewelry they want to rent and check its availability for their preferred date of delivery. Adorn guarantees the jewelry will arrive via UPS two days before the day of a special event and provides a prepaid envelope for its return. Best of all, the jewelry is insured from the moment it leaves Adorn until the moment it returns.
Adorn: Diamond jewelry rentals for special occasions.
http://www.adorn.com
Avelle: Authentic designer handbag, jewelry, sunglass, and watch rentals.
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com
Beehive Co-op: Handmade products from emerging designers.
http://www.beehiveco-op.com
Bling Yourself Inc.: Online jewelry and accessory rentals.
http://www.blingyourself.com
Exboyfriend Jewelry: Trade platform for jewelry gifted by an ex. Users blog the story of their jewelry.
http://www.exboyfriendjewelry.com
Freecycle: Global community of gift givers who trade stuff for free.
http://www.freecycle.org
Gift Card Rescue: Gift card exchange service.
http://www.giftcardrescue.com
Handbag Hire HQ: Designer handbag hires.
http://www.handbaghirehq.co.uk
MakeupAlley: Online beauty product swap.
http://www.makeupalley.com
Swapagift: Gift card exchange.
http://www.swapagift.com
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Art-centered Mesh businesses provide customers with convenient, less expensive alternatives to the traditional ownership model, and they continually seek ways to improve and expand their offerings. Companies may rent original art to both private and commercial consumers by allowing them to select pieces for framing and installation. Alternatively, Mesh businesses in this category may create physical or virtual space, such as an online forum, for communities of artists to form and celebrate their mediums through conversation.
There are many other fresh, art-centered business models waiting to be developed and brought to the