One in an occasional series of features on Charlotte area businesses, nonprofits, and events, and how they are adapting to the “new normal.
Our Subject: SkillPop offers one-stop classes on a variety of topics taught by local experts, hosted in community venues across five cities in the Southeastern U.S. The Charlotte-based classes became so popular as a way get together with friends and learn a new skill in one quick class, that the company quickly expanded to four other cities over its next 5 years.
What’s been impacted:In mid-March, the stay-at-home order prompted by Coronavirus resulted in the cancelation of all classes. Since SkillPop classes were taught 100% in person, the stay-at-home order cut 100% of the company’s revenue.
“We couldn’t do anything anymore,” said founder Haley Bohon.
Innovative pivot: Bohon had come up with an idea for online classes a full week before sales began to drop, and 10 days before canceling in-person classes. She spent a week putting together a quick project management plan for the idea, and on March 18, launched SkillPop Anywhere. Classes would cost $20 and be taught at 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. at night.
Reactions: “It’s been received really well,” said Bohon. Not only do people tune into the classes from the 5 host cities, but around the country and even Thailand!
“It’s been really cool just to see friends who tell friends about it, and they tune in and tell friends,” added Bohon. “Our mission has always been to make learning accessible.”
Positive feedback has been twofold: “People tell me this is really relevant for them right now — they are grateful to have something to do, and especially, something to do with friends.” Still others tell her online classes are more accessible than the in-person classes used to be because of work, traffic, kids, or distance. Classes are selling — and even selling out — but revenues aren’t quite up to where they used to be — yet.
Forecast for future: “I have been eating 4 years of words,” said Bohon with a laugh, explaining that many people had suggested online classes before, but she just didn’t see it as part of what she wanted to accomplish.
Fast-forward to a month after launching SkillPop Anywhere, and Bohon is trying to figure out where online classes will fit in once in-person classes resume.
“We absolutely plan to do something, because of the feedback we’ve gotten,” said Bohon. A lot of that will depend on demand, but considering the popularity of SkillPop since its launch in 2015, and the continued demand online, she won’t count it out. “We’re hopeful and optimistic this will be part of our business going forward.”
Sign up for your own SkillPop class and see for yourself: https://www.skillpop.com/