Who We Are

Marta Nowinska is the visionary behind Swapsity.

While working for a Bay Street investment bank, Marta had an idea to create an online swapping economy for Canadians. Inspired, she swapped a job in finance for social entrepreneurship and Swapsity was born.

At the heart of Swapsity was the vision to help Canadians build a more collaborative and sustainable lifestyle though a peer-to-peer swapping community. Instead of always buying new stuff and maxing out credit cards, the idea aimed to empower people on environmental, financial and social levels while helping build more connected communities and a greener planet.

Marta already had the most important tools she would need to get Swapsity started: an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership experience, a business degree and the passion to create. She learned the art of barter at a young age through collecting stamps. By swapping the stamps she did not want, Marta expanded her collection without spending a cent.

The transition from the world of banking--where the green rules--to the greener world of barter proved to be the right decision.

In a climate of collaborative consumption, environmental awareness and mindful spending, the dream of Swapsity quickly took shape. Since debuting as the first site of its kind in Canada, Swapsity has earned an influx of national media attention, swap event successes, prominent collaborations and plenty of eager members. The forward-thinking business model has made it into an ever-growing community based on the ethos of planet-friendly consumption and sharing.

Marta has lived and travelled throughout Europe, Asia and North America but now calls Toronto home. When she's not exercising her business savvy, she can be found exercising her mind and body through yoga, chess, biking or playing the violin.