Dabble Co-Founder Jessica Lybeck moved to Denver in summer 2012 to open a second location for the Chicago-based company. The company launched in 2011 and has six employees in Chicago.
The key factor underpinning Dabble: ”Education in general is growing,” says Lybeck. “People are interested in all sorts of hobbies and professional pursuits. We believe demand for in-person experiences are growing.”
There are currently about 20 classes -- or "Dabbles" -- on the Denver calendar. "We've got everything from welding two gardening to letterpress," says Lybeck. The courses take place at the teacher's location or a partner venue, tuition is just $20 to $40, and Dabble takes a 25 percent cut for administration and promotion.
Based in the Golden Triangle at Galvanize, Lybeck is currently the only Denver employee, but Dabble has worked with nearly 100 local teachers and Lybeck says she is in "conversations" with potential hires. "I'm actively recruiting people here."
"It's our job to find great teachers and support them and find students who are interested in learning and connect them," says Lybeck. Denver represents about 15 percent of the company's revenues, but that number is growing, she adds. "We've got some momentum here."
Lybeck is teaching a "Dabble" on April 2:
"How to Land a Job at a Startup." Tuition is $20, and no ties or cover letters are required. "I'm really excited about teaching that class because the Denver startup scene is going nuts," she says.
Contact Confluence Denver Innovation & Jobs News Editor Eric Peterson with tips and leads for future stories at eric@confluence-denver.com.
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