Our Story
The Soul of Subletly
The Legacy of the Open Door.
A Suitcase and a Dream
In May of 1984, a young woman named Marlene stepped off a plane and onto American soil. She arrived from Haiti with nothing but a single suitcase and a dream to build a stable foundation for a future she couldn't yet see. She was an immigrant, a single mother, and above all else, a healer.
I grew up watching my mother navigate a world that wasn't always easy. For 30 years, she dedicated her life to nursing, working double shifts at places like Green Hill and Daughters of Israel. I saw her come home with aching feet and a heavy heart, only to spend her weekends doing hair for the neighborhood or her evenings caring for her two children. She "never slept," yet she moved with a grace I still struggle to describe.
Despite her exhaustion, her door was always open. Our home wasn't just a physical structure; it was a sanctuary for anyone in need. She taught me that "home" is the feeling of being seen, safe, and supported.
The Son of a Nurse
Marlene was a builder. Having saved every penny, she achieved the American Dream and became a homeowner in West Orange, a "pillar" of her community who showed love to everyone she crossed. Even when cancer came in 2008, and again years later, she fought with a light demeanor that amazed her doctors. She stayed long enough to see her children graduate, a final victory of a life built on sacrifice.
In March of 2021, my mother was called home. But the spirit of her "open door" stayed behind. I created Subletly because I am the son of a nurse who gave everything to provide a "safe haven" for her family. I lived through the stress of her unknown schedules and the weight of her sacrifices.
I realized that the people who spend their lives caring for the world, the travelers, the dreamers, the hard workers, deserve to be cared for just as deeply.
Why Haven Exists
In a world of cold algorithms and "faceless" tech, we chose a different path. We created Haven.
When you see Haven on our platform, whether she is double-checking your transit route or guiding you to a safe spot for a post-shift coffee, you are seeing my mother's soul in action. Haven isn't just "tech"; she is the digital embodiment of that protective, maternal love. She is here to ensure that when you are 1,000 miles from your family, you don't have to be your own bodyguard. You have a sanctuary that was vetted with the same care I would have wanted for Marlene.
Our Promise
Subletly exists to scale the kindness my mother gave to me. We built the Fast-Track Safety Net and Haven's Picks because no one should ever feel like a stranger in a strange land.
You spend your days taking care of everyone else. Let us take care of you. Welcome to our home. We've kept the light on for you.
What We're Building
Subletly is designed for mid-term stays of 30 days or longer. We focus on furnished housing for people in transition, including students, healthcare workers, and professionals.
Our goal is to create a safer and more trustworthy platform through verification, payment structure, and support systems like Haven.
With love and a son's mission,
Bernie Brice
Founder, Subletly
Come home to Subletly
Join a community built on verification, kindness, and the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to land.