When the Diamond K Sweets store opened in Bloomington this summer, it faced some challenges. This was the Spencer-based confectionery company’s second store. And it was opening during a pandemic when people were being asked to stay home.
Store co-founder Kelsie Risk-Reyes said she turned to the Indiana University Kelley School of Business’ HOPE Digital Project for help. Over a period of 10 days, students provided ideas on new ways the Owen County company could use social media platforms to engage with different Bloomington audiences.
“What they were able to help us do, we definitely appreciate,” Risk-Reyes said. “It was good insight, especially with this year, everyone staying at home and shopping online, we know how to reach them.”
Since it was started in the spring, the HOPE Project has helped more than 360 small businesses and public organizations in 52 Indiana counties at no cost, according to the school. It was created to give students and recent alumni experience at a time when internships were canceled and job opportunities were delayed. It was also designed to help small businesses and community organizations that were struggling with the economic impact of stay-at-home advisories by increasing their online presence and boosting their digital capabilities.
“To be fair, I still can’t believe how successful and how much we’ve been able to do,” said Bipin Prabhakar, chair of Information Systems Graduate Programs at Kelley. “If you were to ask me when I first started, this has exceeded my wildest expectations of success.”
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