{"id":100489,"date":"2025-03-17T12:42:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T12:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=100489"},"modified":"2025-03-17T14:38:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T14:38:48","slug":"gamechangers-reham-fagiri","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/gamechangers-reham-fagiri\/","title":{"rendered":"Game Changers: Reham Fagiri"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Gamechangers:
Gamechangers: Reham Fagiri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reham Fagiri never set out to disrupt the furniture industry\u2014she just wanted to sell a couch. But what should have been a simple task turned into a logistical nightmare, riddled with haggling, no-shows, and last-minute cancellations. \u201cI was moving from Philadelphia to New York and quickly realized how frustrating and inefficient it was to buy and sell secondhand furniture,\u201d she recalls. That frustration sparked an idea, and in 2014,<\/p>\n

AptDeco<\/a> was born\u2014a platform designed to take the headache out of furniture resale while making sustainability second nature. Fast forward to today, and AptDeco has grown from a local solution into a nationwide movement, with more than 500,000 users and a mission that extends far beyond convenience. \u201cWe\u2019re not just making furniture resale easier\u2014we\u2019re tackling a massive environmental problem,\u201d Fagiri says. With over 12 million tons of furniture ending up in landfills each year, AptDeco is rewriting the script by championing circularity and waste reduction. \u201cEvery piece of furniture that gets a second life through AptDeco is one less item polluting our planet,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

But what really drives Fagiri? Inspiration is everywhere, she says\u2014books, podcasts, even everyday experiences. But nothing compares to hearing directly from AptDeco\u2019s users. \u201cOur customers are at the heart of everything we do,\u201d she explains. \u201cTheir feedback shapes our product, guides our decisions, and reminds us why we started in the first place.\u201d This customer-first mindset has been a key ingredient in AptDeco\u2019s success, transforming it from a transactional platform into a trusted community. \u201cIt\u2019s about more than just buying and selling\u2014it\u2019s about creating an experience that feels seamless, safe, and, dare I say, enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fagiri\u2019s path to entrepreneurship wasn\u2019t exactly conventional. Before launching AptDeco, she honed her skills at Goldman Sachs, where she transitioned from software engineering to product management\u2014a shift that gave her a strategic edge. \u201cGoldman was my training ground,\u201d she says. \u201cIt taught me how to think critically, solve complex problems, and, most importantly, navigate change.\u201d Those lessons became invaluable when she took the leap into entrepreneurship, leaning on a tight-knit circle of advisors and mentors to help steer the ship. \u201cStarting a business can be overwhelming but having trusted voices to turn to made all the difference,\u201d she shares.<\/p>\n

AptDeco\u2019s impact extends beyond individual buyers and sellers. The company has diverted over 33 million pounds of furniture from landfills, offsetting the equivalent of 19.2 million pounds of CO2 emissions. Its hybrid model\u2014blending peer-to-peer transactions with professional services like pickup, delivery, and assembly\u2014eliminates the usual pain points of secondhand shopping. And big-name brands have taken notice: AptDeco now partners with more than 30 major furniture companies, including West Elm, Article, La-Z-Boy, and Pottery Barn, offering resale solutions that benefit retailers, consumers, and the planet alike.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s next? Fagiri has big plans. \u201cThere\u2019s so much untapped potential in this space,\u201d she says. \u201cI want AptDeco to be synonymous with furniture resale\u2014seamless, sustainable, and completely hassle-free.\u201d With her drive, vision, and deep commitment to sustainability, she\u2019s well on her way to making that a reality.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day is an opportunity to take this business further,\u201d Fagiri says. \u201cAnd honestly? I can\u2019t wait to see where we go next.<\/p>\n

Read GRAZIA USA\u2019<\/em>s Spring Issue<\/a> featuring cover star Paris Hilton<\/a>:<\/strong><\/h4>\n