Colorado business pivots to mask making during pandemic

Retail stores have been closed for weeks, and while many are now reopening with strict guidelines for safety, there is a long road ahead for business.

The U.S Census Bureau reported a 16-percent drop in retail sales in April as stay at home orders were fully in place. Businesses have been looking to use new ways to attract customers. The E-commerce industry has actually seen an increase in first quarter sales.

YoColorado, based in Golden, CO, has seen an uptick in website sales. The company has continued to make a steady profit through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During COVID, with all the people at home, shopping online has actually increased even though retail has seen a pretty dramatic decrease during the shutdown period,” said Brad Miller, co-owner of YoColorardo.

The business, like many others, had to “pivot.” According to Miller, “YoColorado is events focused, partnered with GoPro Mountain Games, Red Rocks Amphitheater, and Great American Beer festival, events that all are not going to happen this year, so we’re really trying to focus on what we can do during this time in addition to our web sales to keep operations moving.”

Brad Miller and his partner Pe Maslowsky have been keeping business going with face masks and face coverings made in Colorado and sold on their website. “We’re trying to pivot into the demand of face masks so now we produce masks that have been keeping us pretty busy among all our other products,” Maslowky said.