Borrow your way to a better world with Fat Lama

Fat Lama is the platform that lets you rent out your belongings to others nearby. Sounds awesome right? We hooked up with co-founder Chaz Englander to hear more about borrowing over buying.

Q) What was your best ever borrow?

We’ve heard some great stuff-sharing stories, but one of our favourites has to be where a user borrowed a drone from another lender for the sole purpose of trying to find his own drone - he’d lost it on a rooftop a couple of days before. Takes one to find one.

Q) Do you think the sharing economy appeals to everybody?

We think so! It’s commonly attributed to a millennial market, but there’s plenty of evidence to show it’s much broader than that. From catching an Uber to staying at a place you’ve booked through Airbnb, most are already taking part in the sharing economy. The biggest challenge to some is taking a leap of faith with strangers, but people are realising the benefits that are available in being a part of a collaborative network. 

Q) We love the social side of borrowing, have there been any good community stories?

I think everyone really enjoys the feeling of actually meeting someone, shaking their hand and exchanging their stuff. It’s not uncommon for a lender to put aside time to help a borrower get acquainted with a piece of equipment - it feels good! We had one instance where a graphic designer borrowed a camera from a photographer for his project. They got talking about his project, asked each other for a bit of advice on a few things and now they’re actually working together... People are sharing more than just their stuff, which is great!

Q) As well as benefits to the environment it’s great to see people can earn decent money on the site. What’s your advice to people looking to hire out some of their own possessions?

List as many things as you can think of. Many have been surprised at the interest which their spare stuff is getting. Our users have also told us that they’re grateful for the chance to keep items which they’d previously had to sell for the money. 

Q) We assume you’re well stocked with Sugru Mouldable Glue for any potential breakages - what’s been your best Sugru hack to date?

Not a breakage per se, but we just used Sugru to stick a Samsung Gear 360 camera to the base of a drone for some panoramic aerial sightseeing. Recommended!