Swapped lets you update your wardrobe by swapping clothes with others

By Polya Pencheva

Globally, 92 million tonnes of clothes are sent to landfills each year. This is the equivalent of a truck full of clothing every second. While one way to reduce this is to consume less, there are other ways in which we can still enjoy having new items of clothing. Sustainable fashion is far more than just the purchase of more expensive and long-lasting products. Sometimes the act of enjoying fashion in a conscious way entails buying second-hand clothes, wearing someone else’s items that no longer fit, or simply swapping outfits with friends. This is how the idea of Swapped was born. It is an app which offers users the chance to swap second-hand items online.

In today’s instalment of the start-up of the day series, Mya Springer tells us more about the journey of a young entrepreneur on her way to changing how we view fashion.

How did you come up with the idea?

“I had a clothing line in 2016, and I’ve always been passionate about business. Then in uni, I had to do a research project and started to realize how damaging and polluting is the fashion industry. I thought I want to be part of this industry and also make a change. So I was trying to find a solution that would still allow us to enjoy fashion that wasn’t at the expense of the planet. Back then, I was already swapping clothes with my friends, so I thought I could switch things up a level. That’s why I decided to go digital with this.”

How does Swapped work?

“You sign up and you get a two-week free trial. Then you upload your pre-loved clothing. These might be items you’ve worn to a wedding, on a night out or something you might have been photographed in and don’t want to wear again. You upload your photos and then swipe left and right on other people’s items on the app. Eventually you’ll get a match, and then ship it off. You first make an agreement on the exchange and a delivery fee.

The great thing about Swapped is that there’s no exchange of money on the app. You’re not paying for anything, but just using the app, which costs €4.99 a month. But then you could be swapping dresses that cost more than €100. All swaps are final and you don’t have to return anything. Once you’ve swapped something, it’s yours forever.”

How hard was it to get funding?

“Luckily, I already had a bit of capital from my previous business. Also, my father and his associates had already seen me grow before. I presented them with my plan, revenue projections, and the impact I want to make. And they invested. Looking back, this is crazy because I was only 17. And that’s amazing. This happened in 2019. In 2020 and 2021, I started looking for more funding, which was pretty hard. I managed to receive a grant which let me work on this project further. And that was great as well.”

What were some of the hardships that you experienced on the way?

“The issues have changed drastically since it all started. I’ve changed as well. When I started in 2019, I had no experience in building and creating apps, so I thought the app could be finished really quickly. I didn’t realize how long it takes. I had to learn to be more patient, that’s for sure.

Managing people was also something that I struggled with. Many of my developers are twice or even three times my age. I had to find a balance in letting them know who is in charge but in a way that was assertive. Going through these processes has allowed me to grow and become a better leader.”

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What is your best memory so far?

“I was exhibiting at the UK Black Business Show, and that was really fun. I’m quite introverted by nature. Doing something that was more extroverted, I had to put myself out there and I think this was really good for my confidence. And it was nice to just kind of be in a room with other inspiring people and get some one-on-one feedback, because I’m in the office every day making decisions. Being among people with similar goals and hearing their opinions and feedback, as in, what could be good for my company, is really rewarding.”

What does the future hold for Swapped?

“We first plan to focus on the UK market and go from one city to the next. Then we would like to expand to other countries in Europe, especially France because I know they’re very aware of sustainability and they do a lot to encourage it. After France, we want to make our product available to other countries that are open to the idea of sustainable fashion, and then hopefully in five years’ time, we will reach the US market and go global.”