In response to the economic challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Denver-based interior design startup Havenly implemented layoffs in the spring of 2020. The company let go of five full-time employees and some temporary workers, while also transitioning some designers from employee to contractor status. These cuts were part of broader efforts to conserve capital during a period of uncertainty, which included a discernible dip in business in March and early April. However, as stay-at-home orders spurred increased consumer interest in home improvement, Havenly's digital-focused business model saw a rebound. By June 2020, the company had reversed course, hiring six new full-time employees and five temps. The pandemic also led to the permanent closure of Havenly's retail locations in several major cities, as the company decided to focus on its digital offerings.
