Work life of Haley Bohon, founder of SkillPop

I’m a huge fan of what Haley is building with SkillPop. [Agenda story: SkillPop is the best early stage startup in Charlotte and angel investors should be drooling over it.] Here’s a look into how she gets it done.

Job title

Founder at SkillPop

Office location

50% home office, 50% floating desk member at Hygge Coworking.

What do you actually do?

I started SkillPop six months ago to make in-person learning fresh and accessible. Right now, we’re in a season where we’re growing rapidly but still with a very small team – so I do a little bit of everything. Most of my days are built around meeting with teachers, scheduling classes, marketing, and strategy/planning. In the evenings, I’m usually at one of our classes to be an extra set of hands for the teacher and to make sure that things go smoothly.

Commute

12 minutes in my Honda Accord when I’m working at Hygge and no commute when I’m working from home. I also drive all over the city to meet with teachers, tour venues, and manage classes on a weekly basis.

What do you do during your commute?

NPR all the way!

Phone Type

MotoX. I’ve got a plan with Republic Wireless (NC-based) that gives me unlimited talk/text/data for $25 a month which is pretty insane. The only downside is that I can’t get each shiny new iPhone that comes out, but it’s worth it.

Phone homescreen

Quote is a little cheesy, but it’s true and a good reminder to focus on where you are.

Desk

Computer

MacBook Air

Gadgets you can’t live without

Phone and MacBook for sure. Other than that, I’m not a huge gadget person.

Do you listen to music while you work?

I usually bounce between Spotify (love the Discover Weekly feature), silence, and the occasional podcast. Sometimes I can’t work with music, and other times I can’t work without it.

What’s your favorite spot for a business lunch? Your order?

Sunflour Bakery for a business breakfast is my jam. Morning glory muffin + medium coffee, or #4 on a cheddar biscuit if I’m feeling crazy.

Social media habits

I try to not spend too much time on it, but I can get sucked into Instagram as much as any other person.

To-do list manager

I’ve tried virtual task managers but can’t get away from paper and pen. First choice: Day Designer (amazing). Runner up: Bullet journaling (way cheaper).

What everyday thing are you really good at?

I’m good at hospitality – I love having people over and am always quick to volunteer our home for the next get-together. One of my favorite things in the world is meeting new people… so much so that my roommate in college once gave me a cheesy sign that said “A stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet.” She was 90% making fun of me but I got a kick out of it.

Best time-saving shortcut or Charlotte life hack

My husband and I tag-team cooking. Lately I’ve been tied up almost every night with SkillPop classes, so I’ll plan our menu for the week & grocery shop and then he does the cooking. Major win!

Sleep routine

I want to be an early-bird, but I hate going to bed before 10. I usually force myself to go read a book in bed around 10:45, and I’m up around 6:30 or 7.

Where do you go around Charlotte to get away from the office?

If I need to clear my head or take a break, I love going for a walk on the greenway or at Freedom Park. Now that it’s getting warm again, I’m counting down the days until River Jam starts up at the White Water Center – it’s one of my favorite places to be in the summer!

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

Green smoothie with spinach, banana, almond milk, and peanut butter.

If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?

I’d probably still be working as a Project Manager (last job) or be working in Product Development (my degree is in Mechanical Engineering). Both were great roles and opportunities, but I do feel like I’m in my dream job right now!

Best job advice you’ve received

I got this advice two weeks before I got married in 2014 – my boss had just hinted that I may be working 10+ hour days leading up to the wedding and I was about to have a nervous breakdown. A mentor told me that juggling your career, family, and health is like juggling three balls at once where two (health & family) are glass and one (career) is rubber. All that to say – prioritize your family and your health. Your career will always bounce back.

Last book and movie you read/watched (grade it on a A-F scale)

Movie – Meet the Patels (Netflix). B.

Book – How to Win Friends and Influence People. Old school but so good! A+

What’s one thing people don’t know about Charlotte that they should?

Everyone loves the Dowd Y, but most people may not know that a church meets in one of the upstairs gyms every Sunday. My husband and I stumbled upon it three years ago and have gone there ever since – we love it! The pastor married us and we’ve met some of our closest friends there.

What other Charlottean would you like to answer these questions?

Corri Smith or Matt Yarmey.