The designer

One thing that was mentioned was to empower the designer. How do I make sure that the designers are not getting used as slave labor in this project.

My first thought to avoid this is to have several sections instead of just two main ones (the help offered and the help needed) this will be expanded to many sections but my thoughts now are for at least 4. On the business owner side there will be a Professional Help needed section for current established business owners to look for hired work. The second section would be for more loose organizations that are not in need of a designer but would be interested a logo or website if offered. This 2nd free hire section is to help achieve my original intent of being an outlet for designers to get started or get their foot in the door or just see if online design is for them. The other side of the site would have two sections for the desginers to match the business side. One section for established designers looking for paying work and another for new designers or people interested only in developing or expanding their portfolio.

I think this distinction will not only attract more people to the site but also a wider range of experience and need.