By Judy Heinrich

Don’t you love it when someone invents something that makes your life easier? If you’re a person who wants or needs to take classes, or if you actually teach classes, Dee Owen of Columbus is about to help you out.

Until now potential students had to look for a class by first identifying a school, group or individual instructor who might be offering it. Depending on the class, you might check at a community college, fitness center or local arts group. But if you didn’t find exactly what you wanted in those places, you might not know where else to look.

Welcome to an easier world, thanks to Owen. Her mission, as she puts it, is, “Connecting people who want to learn something new with the people who can teach them.”

To do that she has just launched a unique service, Mo*bee’s Class Finder, (mobeesclassfinder.com), a website that lets you search for a class on any topic you’re interested in, whether for fun, continuing education or a job-related certification. The site lists classes offered at campuses, instructors’ studios or offices, and even online. And the search service is free.

 

Finding a Class

Going to mobeesclassfinder.com takes you through a simple three-step process to find your class. Choose the class category you’re interested in; narrow your search by age group, skill level, class type (online or in-person) and the distance you’re willing to travel. The final step is selecting your class from the list that meets your search criteria. Or you may choose not to pick a category at all and instead just browse through all classes available in your area. Mo*Bee’s can also show you just the classes that are free to take.

When classes are displayed, each has a description along with relevant information that you’d need to know, like time, location, etc. Class listings also may have links to videos, websites, instructor bios, photos, emails, and social media like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and more, as selected by the class provider.

 

Listing a Class

If you’re an instructor who offers classes, whether through a campus, group or on your own, Mo*bee’s Class Finder gives you a whole new way to reach potential students. Just visit mobeesclassfinder.com and click on “List a Class” to enter your information. There is no charge for a basic listing, which includes description, skill level, age group, dates, times, class type, contact information and price. Or you can choose an enhanced listing for $9.99 a month, which includes all the features of a basic listing plus personalization with any or all of the links mentioned earlier. Since Mo*Bee’s is now building the class content, a special discounted enhanced listing price of $1.99 per month is being offered. Owen is also glad to work with non-profits and those with multiple classes so they can afford to list their classes.

 

Class Registration

While Mo*bee’s Class Finder provides class information, instructors can choose for students to register and pay tuition directly through the website using PayPal. That direct payment connection streamlines the process, an advantage for both instructors and students.

 

Current Mo*bee’s
Class Finder Partners

Having just launched, Mo*bee’s Class Finder is now in the process of adding new classes, focusing first on offerings within Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

Already listing classes on mobeesclassfinder.com are Isothermal Community College’s Small Business Center (Spindale) and Continuing Education Departments at both Polk and Spindale campuses; St. Luke’s Hospital for its monthly “Health Talk” sessions; Tryon Painters & Sculptors; YMCA of Western North Carolina (for group exercise programs); Random Arts in Saluda; and Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, along with its partners Spartanburg Ballet, Spartanburg Science Center, Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg County Historical Association and Spartanburg Little Theatre.

Owen recommends checking in on mobeesclassfinder.com frequently to see new listings in art, sports, photography, cooking, technology, business, dance, music, craft, fitness and more.