SCORE Helps Clothing Swapping App Broaden Audience

Why buy when you can swap?

That’s the concept behind bonnee, a mobile app used to trade clothing with users all over the world.

Vanessa Sanchez said she and the two other female co-founders of the fashion tech startup had been swapping clothes amongst themselves, as well as through resale platforms.

“We saw an opportunity in the market for us to digitize the in-person swap experience,” she said of the Miami-based company. “Not everyone has friends they can swap with.”

The self-described “huge fashion lover” said other goals of the app are to add to the circular economy while being environmentally friendly.

“We always need clothing, so this is really a great alternative to save the planet and save money as well,” she said. “We know just how devasting the fashion industry can be. A lot of the clothing that’s ending up in our landfills is brand-new with tags. Just because something isn’t your style anymore or doesn’t fit you anymore doesn’t mean it’s not a great piece of clothing.”

Since launching in January 2024, the app has had more than 2,000 downloads and hundreds of pieces of clothing are available for trading. Users earn credits for posting items on bonnee. The credits can be used to swap pieces of clothing.

The app and its founders broadened their audience by participating in – and winning third place in the virtual component of – SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition. SCORE is a national nonprofit organization that supports small businesses through free mentoring.

More than 2,200 small businesses applied to compete in five pitch events. Contestants were pared down to 60 contenders who presented their pitch live before panels of judges. Participants were matched with SCORE mentors to refine their pitches, strengthen their presentations, and hone their business plans.

Leading up to the competition Sanchez teamed with SCORE mentor Gisleine Silveira of the Miami Dade chapter.

“She really helped us in narrowing our pitch and making sure it would resonate well with the audience and the judges,” Sanchez said, adding that her mentor also enhanced the marketing message for the company’s one-pager. “That was a huge and necessary thing for us. She is definitely open to helping us as much as she can.”

Silveira, who has expertise in marketing, said she was pleased to see that the company is advancing its plans accordingly, focusing on the primary service and tackling threats of direct and indirect competitors.

“It’s a very cool concept,” Silveira said of the app. “They are gaining traction with it.”

Looking ahead, Sanchez said the company plans to add AI and smart technology to improve the user experience on the app. The self-funded company also plans to bolster its marketing efforts to increase the number of bonnee app users.

“We have a big list of things that we want to introduce in the next year hopefully,” Sanchez said. “We’re really excited to see what 2025 has in store with us.”

To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit score.org.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at score.org.