The evolution of online communities in the modern era has been profound, marked by increased diversity, interactivity and significance in people’s lives. This transformation highlights the immense potential of online communities to create meaningful connections and impact individuals in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Recognizing this potential and utilizing it, Lexis Serot is emerging as a beacon of change, a trailblazer devoted to making a profound impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. LittleWins, a visionary platform founded and meticulously nurtured by the indefatigable Lexis is a digital realm where compassion meets commerce, where innovation transforms the healthcare sector, and where individuals with disabilities find not only the support, they need but a community that understands their unique challenges.

Amidst the virtual cacophony, Lexis is the Founder & CEO of LittleWins, a venture born out of a deeply personal mission and a professional zeal to create meaningful change. For over four years, Lexis has led this transformative initiative, shaping it into a haven for families of children with disabilities. In the heart of this community, she has nurtured connections, enabling families to search, buy, sell, and donate durable medical equipment seamlessly.

Lexis has diverse roles at LittleWins. She’s the architect of a comprehensive business development strategy integrating together disparate teams and agencies into a cohesive unit. Her vision extends far beyond mere transactions—she envisions a world where every interaction is a step toward empowerment, every purchase a testament to resilience and every donation a gesture of solidarity.

At the core of Lexis’s expertise lies a fusion of marketing prowess, business acumen and the art of people management. With strategic finesse, she designs impactful B2C and B2B marketing campaigns, collaborating with wholesale partners, sponsors and the very users the platform serves. Her campaigns are about stories, about hope and about making a genuine difference. Under her guidance, the online experience on LittleWins transcends the ordinary, becoming a personalized journey for each user, tailored to meet the diverse needs of their families.

Let’s explore Lexis’s accomplishments extending far beyond the digital realm!

Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to start Littlewins? 

Like many businesses, LittleWins was born from necessity. I have a daughter with Cerebral Palsy and in the early stages of motherhood, I was amazed at how little resources were available for anyone navigating the complexities of living with a disability. What’s more, I felt alone.

For a long time, I was hesitant to voice this but the more people I talked to, the more I realized there was a fundamental need for a community like LittleWins—a need for a support network for people facing similar obstacles to help each other. I started talking to as many people as I could, asking questions, hearing stories, familiarizing myself with the complexities of each individual story, and the more familiar I became, the more certain I was that I needed to start LittleWins.

What were the initial challenges you faced when launching LittleWins? 

The initial challenge was to overcome the naysayers. The medical industry, specifically the Medical Device Industry is a large and expensive dinosaur long set in its ways. Everyone told me it would be impossible to disrupt it, friends, family, lawyers, fellow entrepreneurs, but I ignored the naysayers because I had to. When someone can’t have access to a basic quality of life simply because they cannot afford it, there is something inherently wrong with the system.

Another initial challenge was finding the right personnel. Just because someone had the highest marks, went to an Ivy League school, or had the proper professional qualifications, didn’t necessarily mean they were who we needed. This is a community, after all, and who someone is can be much more important than what someone has accomplished. I was fortunate enough to find a team of people who understood why I was doing this.

Can you explain the purpose of LittleWins? What functions does it serve for people with disabilities and how does it create a supportive community for its members?

LittleWins has two primary functions. First, it is a marketplace for people with disabilities to donate, buy, or sell their used medical equipment. Second and equally as important, it is a community where members can ask questions, give advice and offer support for one another. All someone needs to do is go to LittleWins.com, create a quick account and within minutes they will have access to affordable healthcare equipment and a network of people who share their experiences. We also have a shop where community members can purchase affordable products like compression socks, bath bombs, and many other great items.

What fuels your commitment to LittleWins and its values?

My commitment to LittleWins and what it stands for is fueled by the interactions I have with community members every day. With LittleWins, my personal and professional experiences are one and the same. To me, it’s all personal. I mean, it’s in the name, right? It’s not hard to stay motivated when you see a community of people coming together to help each other. When I look back at when I first started and how hesitant I was to be hopeful, it’s a beautiful thing to see how far it’s all come.

Could you share some insights into the significant challenges faced during the early stages of building LittleWins and how your team navigated these hurdles successfully?

The biggest challenge we faced while building LittleWins was scaling growth properly. No one expected the overwhelming support and growth LitteWins experienced so early on. We had to think on our feet and adapt.

During that time, finding the right personnel was essential. We took our time building a team of people who saw what we were doing and believed in it. We didn’t let the pressure of fast growth force us to hire the wrong people. Moreover, we managed expectations with our early customers and kept a clear line of communication with them to improve on the early iterations of the site.

What are your thoughts on the current advancements in medical device innovation, particularly in the realm of access technology?

I think access technology is one of the most exciting things happening in medical device innovation. Devices like Eye-Gaze allow people with disabilities to perform commands on computers using their eyes, which for a lot of people is their most reliable form of movement.

It opens the door to endless possibilities. It will give a voice to those who up until now have not had one. Communication is imperative for effective healthcare, so it is an exciting and hopeful thing to see. As for LittleWins, any innovations made in access technology that can be implemented in our community will be.

How do you handle failure, feedback and unexpected changes in your business approach?

The most important lesson I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is to embrace failure and learn from it. The reality is that you’re not going to get everything right all of the time and if you treat the initial stages of building your business as a constant learning experience, it will be much easier to keep a positive and open mind. It is crucial to understand that obstacles lead to growth.

Also, especially in this industry, communication is massively important. Don’t ignore any feedback, whether you agree with the feedback or not, it will help paint a picture. Finally, be willing to adapt to unexpected change.

Having a plan is always important, but any entrepreneur will tell you that things don’t always go as planned. Finding innovative ways to solve problems and hiring innovative people are great ways to grow while navigating the unexpected.

How is LittleWins revolutionizing healthcare accessibility beyond medical equipment and more towards innovative solutions?

I knew when I started LittleWins that medical equipment was just the start. We just launched LittleWins subscription boxes that allow community members to receive a monthly box of affordable medical supplies tailored to their specific medical needs.

So far, it has been a huge success and the feedback we are constantly receiving allows us to keep improving the member experience. So many aspects of our society are seriously lacking when it comes to accessibility. Right now, we are starting to shift some of our focus to transportation. We have some big partnerships in the works that will change the game for accessible transportation.