In 2011, I began hosting swaps in New York City as a way to spend time with friends, meet friends of friends, switch up wardrobes without pressure on the pocketbook and just have fun.

From then on the swaps grew into an artists’ networking hub, into seasonal brunches that felt like family gatherings, potluck style, laughter on the highest volume, where everyone walked away with ‘new’ things, with new connections and definitely with mega female empowerment energy.

After 9 years of swaps, expanding to include extra swaps for all genders, it’d started to outgrow NYC apartments - it was ready to go bigger. And there’s nothing like an unprecedented global pandemic to show us what we all need even more - community.

popupswapX was created. As covid safety measures strengthened I did a soft-launch in a New York City park - with temperature checks, with masks and with mindful social distancing. Three years in and it has received gracious local support.

My dream is to bring these circular economy events and sustainability awareness to cities worldwide. It’s our choice to take care of this planet and its people, to do our part with the time we have on it. Grateful to do so with these inclusive, altruistic, community-driven experiences.

Hope you’ll join me in any capacity!

With love and light ~

Sandy Busken, founder/swap host