Recognizing how quickly babies outgrow clothes and gear, Kolkata entrepreneur Swarna Daga Mimani launched Second Hugs, an online marketplace empowering over 20,000 parents across India to give new life to gently used children’s products.
- Second Hugs connects parents to buy and sell used baby essentials
- The platform promotes sustainable parenting and waste reduction
- Over 20,000 users from Tier 1 and 2 Indian cities actively participate
What happened
Swarna Daga Mimani, a mother and entrepreneur based in Kolkata, observed the rapid turnover of baby products in homes and how much gently used items often sat unused or were discarded. Motivated to offer a better solution, she created Second Hugs in September 2024. This online platform allows parents to buy, sell, and exchange baby and children's products such as clothes, toys, strollers, and feeding chairs in a safe and organized manner.
Since its launch, Second Hugs has grown to serve parents primarily from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities across India, counting over 20,000 active users. The marketplace not only helps reduce clutter and repeated spending for families but also addresses the environmental impact of short-lived children's items by encouraging reuse.
Why it feels good
The idea behind Second Hugs resonates deeply with parents who face the challenge of constantly buying new items for children who quickly outgrow them. By offering a platform focused specifically on baby and kids' goods, it fills a unique gap in the market where trust, hygiene, and quality concerns previously held buyers back from purchasing second-hand products.
For Swarna and many parents, sharing pre-loved items feels like a way to create community, reduce waste, and support more mindful consumption. The platform promotes a circular economy model that encourages parents to think differently about products designed for short use, making parenting more affordable and environmentally friendly.
What to enjoy or watch next
Looking ahead, Second Hugs aims to further build trust and awareness about the benefits of buying and selling pre-loved children’s items. By continuing to offer a reliable, user-friendly platform with strict quality controls, it hopes to encourage even more parents to embrace sustainable parenting habits across India.
Parents interested in reducing clutter and supporting a greener future can explore Second Hugs to find toys, clothes, books, and gear at affordable prices while extending the lifecycle of products many children only use for a brief time. As this movement grows, it demonstrates how small, everyday choices can collectively make a positive impact on families and the planet.