Rent Anything.
Earn Everything.
Sign up now to become a Totes Founding Member. Get zero fees, exclusive perks, and bragging rights as one of Austin's first to rent smarter!
Low Fees
Keep more of what you earn. No hidden costs, no nonsense.
Built-in Messaging
Communicate securely and easily within the platform.
Verified Renters
Every user is verified for a safer, more trustworthy community.
TOTES: The Story!
Totes was born from a simple but powerful idea: borrowing everyday items should be as easy as borrowing a cup of sugar from your neighbor. Frustrated by cluttered garages and underused gear, founders Nico Larez and Michael Dioguardi envisioned a better way, one where people could rent what they need and lend what they don't. Totes empowers users to share everything from camping gear to camera lenses, fostering a community built on trust, convenience, and sustainability.
Meet the GOATS!
Nico Larez – Founder and CEO
AKA: HEAD GOAT
Nico Larez is the visionary founder of Totes, blending entrepreneurial grit with a passion for human-centered design. He leads with heart, hustle, and an eye for building smarter, more sustainable communities.
Michael Dioguardi – Lead Engineer
AKA: HACKER GOAT
Michael Dioguardi is the engineering mind behind Totes, obsessed with shipping smooth user experiences and building features faster than you can say 'npm install'.
Nico Larez
Founder and CEO
AKA: HEAD GOAT
Nico Larez is the visionary founder of Totes, blending entrepreneurial grit with a passion for human-centered design. He leads with heart, hustle, and an eye for building smarter, more sustainable communities.
Michael Dioguardi
Lead Engineer
AKA: HACKER GOAT
Michael Dioguardi is the engineering mind behind Totes, obsessed with shipping smooth user experiences and building features faster than you can say 'npm install'.
Join Our Team!
Totes empowers micro-entrepreneurs and casual lenders alike by offering a low-barrier way to generate income and reduce waste through smarter consumption. The platform is built using React and TypeScript for a modern, scalable frontend experience, with Tailwind CSS enabling rapid UI development.
Our backend runs on AdonisJS, a Node.js framework that brings Laravel-style structure to JavaScript development. We use PostgreSQL for robust relational data, deployed via Railway for seamless CI/CD workflows. Stripe handles all payment processing, enabling secure, split transactions between lenders and renters. Firebase is used for authentication and file storage, ensuring quick sign-ups and smooth media management.
What sets Totes apart is its focus on trust, transparency, and community-building. With built-in messaging, profile verification, and a streamlined listing system, we are creating a product that is not just functional but delightful to use. Whether you are cleaning out your garage or planning your next adventure, Totes makes sharing easy, smart, and safe.
FULL-STACK DEVELOPER – FRONTEND FOCUSED
What you'll do:
- Develop responsive pages and UI features with React + Tailwind
- Collaborate on user flows, components, and design systems
- Connect to backend APIs and structure dynamic data
- Contribute to UX decisions focused on clarity and trust
- Optimize for performance, accessibility, and mobile
FULL-STACK DEVELOPER – BACKEND FOCUSED
What you'll do:
- Design and maintain REST APIs and backend schema
- Integrate Stripe for secure, split payments
- Handle auth and the storage bucket in Firebase
- Build secure and performant backend logic
- Coordinate with the frontend team for seamless features