Building a Movement, Not Just a Marketplace

Dear Little Swaps Community,

I’m Monica Leesha, CEO and Co-Founder of Little Swaps. Alongside my husband, Phil, whose passion for sustainability drives this mission, and my dear friend of over a decade, Claudia, who believed in this vision from day one, we joined forces to transform how parents exchange pre-loved items—safely, simply, and sustainably.

Born from Frustration, Built with Love

As a mother of four, I’ve experienced firsthand the overwhelming challenge of managing outgrown clothes, toys, and baby gear. When I tried selling online, I quickly realized the process was overwhelming—coordinating meetups, dealing with strangers, no-shows, and worrying about safety. And tossing these items felt even worse. I knew there had to be a better way, one that respected the value of the things my children once loved while giving parents peace of mind.

This mission became a driving force in my life. After countless conversations with other parents, I realized that this wasn’t just my challenge. It was shared by families everywhere. We needed a platform that aligned with our values—one built on trust, safety, and a community-driven approach. That’s how Little Swaps was born.

That’s when the idea for Little Swaps was born—a safer, easier way for parents to buy and sell pre-loved kids’ items while building a community that understands the emotional value behind every item.

No sketchy meetups, no address-sharing, just a simple platform that makes the process seamless. I want every parent to feel good about giving items a second life while saving money and reducing waste.

More Than a Marketplace, We’re a Movement

At Little Swaps, we’re more than just a platform; we’re building a movement. A movement that empowers parents to make conscious, sustainable choices with the things they already have. We’re making it easier for parents to pass along the things they no longer need, knowing they’re going to families who will appreciate them just as much.

Every item we pass along holds a story—memories, milestones, and moments that deserve to live on. When we share these items, we’re not just reducing waste; we’re honoring those stories and creating new ones. That’s the heart of Little Swaps.

It Takes a Village

Building something new takes a village, and I am endlessly grateful for mine.

  • To Phil my Co-Founder, whose support and vision have been instrumental.

  • To Claudia my Co-Founder, whose belief in this mission has guided me from day one.

  • To my cousin Carolina, who inspired me to build this. She travels from Spain with extra luggage so my kids can wear her children's clothes throughout their childhood.

  • To Jordan, my dear friend, who after a garage sale, quietly passed me all the remaining items with unspoken trust that one day I’d build something that made this easier for all parents.

  • To every parent who has ever felt frustrated with the current system—this is for you.

    These small acts of kindness are what Little Swaps is all about—passing along the love and memories while building a more sustainable future for our kids.

Vision for the Future

This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to build this community with you. We’re enhancing our platform, forming partnerships, and leveraging technology to make sustainable living more accessible for all families.

Thank you for being part of Little Swaps and let’s make secondhand the first choice—for every parent, everywhere.

Warmly,
Monica
CEO, Little Swaps

About Monica

Monica is the CEO and co-founder of Little Swaps, a marketplace built for parents, by parents, to make secondhand shopping safer, easier, and more efficient. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, she now lives in New York with her husband and four children. A finance professional and entrepreneur, Monica previously co-founded Holos, a Wellness Tech company that provides corporations the tools to help their teams take proactive control of their health, and which continues to impact thousands of people in Latin America. She is deeply passionate about sustainability, community, and creating solutions that make life easier for families and individuals.

Next
Next

Tiny Footprints, Big Impact: How Preloved Kid's Items Can Save the Planet