“Take care of your things and they will take care of you.” – Marie Kondo I used to lose my phone charger all the time, in the weirdest spots you can imagine. And yeah, this wasn’t just one time. There was this one Saturday where I’d had enough. I basically destroyed my bedroom looking for…
In 2006, BookMooch started a whole new era in online book swapping. John Buckman had this idea to make a platform that was more than just swapping books. it was about creating a community. It was a new way for readers everywhere to connect.
In this age of digital connectivity, the nature of community has changed dramatically. While community has always involved some common purpose or identity, frequent interaction, and mutual support, in the past communities have been made up of people in close physical proximity–whether a neighborhood, church, or some other group of people seen face-to-face on a…
“Freedom is hiding under the clutter.” Terri Guillemets We drown in a sea of clutter. As recently as 2021, American households were estimated to have over $500 BILLION of unused stuff in their homes (and garages, and attics, and basements, and storage lockers, and …). Not only is this an incredible waste of money (estimated…
“There is only one way to eat an elephant–a bite at a time.” Desmond Tutu Creating something new is difficult. Creating something new and really big seems almost impossible at times. Here at Swampum, we face that difficulty daily as we create a community marketplace platform that allows people to share with their communities in…
We are social animals. And while each of us is an individual, we long for relationships with others. Being part of a community brings many benefits: social connection and engagement; a sense of support and belonging; better physical, mental, and financial health. Of course, it’s important to find the right balance between individual and community…
It all started with a basin wrench. Several years ago, in the middle of a kitchen renovation project, I needed a basin wrench–a special tool for tightening the bolts that connect a sink to a countertop. One trip to the hardware store and $25 later, I had my wrench. A few weeks later I was…
