In just the past year, I've tried BJJ, Muay Thai, chess, Warhammer 40k, reading clubs, and Pilates (that one was short-lived). I love learning new things, but let's be honest: it gets expensive. Classes, coaches, gear... it adds up fast. And in a city like New York, meeting people through shared passions is harder than it should be. That's when the idea hit me:

"What if we could trade what we already know to learn something new, without money getting in the way?"

Reciproc8 started right here in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. What began as a simple question became a platform, then a nonprofit, and now a growing movement of people who believe that everyone has something valuable to offer.

Through direct bartering and our timebank system, we're not just helping people save money. We're helping them find connection. Real exchanges. Real relationships. Real community.

What you have to offer already has value. Come prove it.

One App. No Cash. Infinite Connections.

Hey, my name is Ronith, and I'm a software engineer specializing in full-stack web development. I enjoy building things end-to-end, from clean, intuitive user interfaces to reliable backend systems that power them. My background has given me hands-on experience with various technologies, which I use to create web experiences that are both functional and enjoyable to use. I like solving real problems with code and continuously improving how users interact with products.

At Reciproc8, I serve as the lead web developer, where I'm responsible for designing and developing our web presence. I built our marketing website, which is now live and actively supporting Reciproc8's growth. Currently, I'm working on building the web app version of our core product, translating the app experience to the web while keeping performance, usability, and scalability in mind. My role involves owning features from idea to deployment and making sure everything works seamlessly together.

What really drew me to Reciproc8 is the mission behind the product. I want to help create a space where people can connect, share skills, exchange knowledge, and offer their time without financial barriers. The idea of bringing people of all backgrounds to form a tight-knit community through our app inspired me enough to join Reciproc8. Being part of a team that's building something with real social impact, doing it in a fast-moving startup environment, and owning the product end-to-end is exactly where I want to be.

Mai Nguyen is the Founder of Held Here, a consulting practice rooted in the belief that community is not just built, but more deeply held, nurtured, and made meaningful through emotion-forward focus and intention. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and human connection, helping brands and organizations create spaces where people feel safe to soften, be seen, and belong.

Through Held Here, Mai partners with founders, creatives, and communities to strengthen the emotional undercurrents that shape how people experience belonging. She focuses on shaping language, rituals, and experiences that invite trust and vulnerability, allowing participation to feel natural rather than forced.

With Reciproc8, Mai supports the cultural foundation of the platform by developing the narratives, customs, and trust structures that transform bartering from a simple exchange into a shared practice rooted in generosity and care. Her role is to ensure that hobbies, passions, and skills are experienced as bridges that bring people closer together through shared curiosity and mutual respect.