Embracing New Ventures: Launching Borrowed and the Power of Trying New Things as Women in Leadership
As women in leadership, we are often encouraged to push boundaries, innovate, and explore uncharted territory. But sometimes, the hardest step to take is the first one — especially when that step leads to something entirely new. Today, I’m excited to share my latest venture, which began with a compelling conversation with my now co-founder, Krystle Hawkesbury, in 2022. That moment sparked the evolution of Borrowed, a sustainable, peer-to-peer borrow-and-lend app and platform we believe can transform how we consume, share, and value the resources around us.
Borrowed was born from a simple yet powerful question: why buy when you can borrow? In a world overflowing with excess, Borrowed offers a platform where individuals and communities can share what they already own. This reduces waste, saves money, and supports a more sustainable future. From party supplies and tools to outdoor gear and more, the platform encourages thoughtful consumption while fostering trust and collaboration among users.
Why Borrowed?
Global Resource Consumption
Humanity is using natural resources far faster than the Earth can regenerate them. As of 2023, we are consuming at 1.75 times the planet’s biocapacity, putting us into ecological overshoot (overconsumption.org). The United Nations anticipates a 60 percent increase in global resource consumption by 2060 compared to 2020, driven by urbanization, industrial expansion, and population growth (weforum.org). The burden is also uneven. High-income countries use six times more resources per capita than low-income countries and generate ten times the environmental impact (unep.org).
Environmental Impact
Overconsumption drives environmental degradation on multiple fronts. It is responsible for about 60 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (gitnux.org). The extraction and processing of materials account for over 90 percent of biodiversity loss and water stress globally (wedocs.unep.org). These numbers are a wake-up call for all of us to shift toward more mindful and sustainable use of our planet’s resources.
Consumer Behavior and Waste
Our consumer culture is creating staggering levels of waste. Each year, the world produces roughly 53.6 million metric tons of electronic waste, much of it from the constant pursuit of newer, faster technology (gitnux.org). The fashion industry contributes 10 percent of all global carbon emissions, driven by fast fashion and overproduction (gitnux.org). At the same time, we waste nearly 1.3 billion tons of food annually, about 30 percent of all food produced (gitnux.org). These trends demand real solutions.
The truth is, the average person uses less than half of what they own. Millions of usable items end up in landfills every year. Borrowed responds to this by offering a new model of ownership — one centered on access, not accumulation.
Environmental Impact: Borrowing instead of buying reduces the emissions and energy associated with manufacturing, transporting, and discarding goods.
Economic Accessibility: Shared resources lower financial barriers and make more experiences and necessities attainable.
Community Building: Borrowed fosters trust, connection, and local resilience by encouraging neighbors to support one another.
As someone deeply committed to sustainability and innovation, launching Borrowed is a natural extension of my personal and professional journey. But this is more than a business launch. It’s a decision to leap into something unfamiliar, and a reminder that growth often starts with that leap.
The Courage to Explore the Unknown
In leadership, there is no growth without risk. Every new idea, venture, or initiative begins with a choice to step into the unknown and bet on yourself. For women, this can be especially daunting. Many of us have been conditioned to stay safe, follow known paths, and avoid taking up too much space. But the most transformative opportunities come when we give ourselves permission to go beyond what’s expected.
Borrowed is my leap. It’s where technology, sustainability, and human connection come together in a way that feels both timely and meaningful. It also reflects what I’ve learned — that as women, we have every right to pursue ideas that move us, even when the path ahead isn’t fully visible.
What Trying New Things Teaches Us
Taking risks teaches us resilience, flexibility, and the value of possibility. Failure is not the opposite of success. It’s part of the journey. Through building Borrowed, I’ve learned to trust my gut, stay rooted in my values, and create something I believe will make a difference.
I hope Borrowed inspires not just a shift in consumption, but a mindset shift among women in leadership. We have the power to shape new definitions of success, to innovate in ways that matter, and to build solutions that reflect our values and lived experiences.
Join the Movement
As Borrowed takes its first steps, I invite you to join this movement for sustainability, connection, and community. Whether you're borrowing for your next big event, lending something that’s been collecting dust, or simply curious about how shared resources can transform lives, Borrowed is here for you.
And to fellow women leaders: let this be a gentle reminder that every bold idea begins with courage. Trust yourself. Take the leap. You might just create something extraordinary.
Let’s build a future where women lead with conviction, businesses embrace sustainability, and communities grow stronger together.
Sign up for Borrowed today and be part of a movement that’s changing the way we live, one borrowed item at a time.
