In 2019, Sharad Dabra was experimenting with resin in a small studio in Chandigarh, India. Today, he leads SD Academia which is India’s largest resin art education platform, empowering over 100,000 learners in 15+ countries.
What started as a personal creative outlet became SD Academia—a coaching business that teaches people how to turn resin art into a profession, with support from courses, community, and tools.
And after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 1 in 2021, the brand saw a national spotlight—but their real growth? It came from systems they had built well before the cameras rolled.
This is the story of how one coach turned his niche knowledge into a ₹1 crore+ revenue coaching empire—and what you can learn from it.
From Passion Project in Chandigarh to a Purpose-Led Platform
Before SD Academia became a household name in resin art education, Sharad was creating pieces out of his small physical studio in Chandigarh.
“If I look back I feel great about the fact that I chose what I thought was right and my vision of contributing to the art industry with my services is in process.” — Sharad Dabra
That studio still stands today—not just as a workspace, but as a community hub where learners can see, touch, and experience resin art before committing to online programs.
As word spread locally, more people walked in—not just to buy art, but to learn how to make it.
“Art is not just a passion. We can really make a living out of it and art is a therapy which heals a lot of stress and anxiety.” — Sharad Dabra
What followed was the foundation of SD Academia, built in Chandigarh but scaled digitally across India and beyond.
“We realized quickly—people don’t just want to learn resin art. They want a roadmap for independence.”
— Sharad Dabra
The Shark Tank Push—and What Came After
In 2021, SD Academia appeared on Shark Tank India Season 1, pitching their growing resin art coaching business.
The exposure helped fuel momentum:
- A surge in website traffic
- Spike in course enrollments
- Follower growth on Instagram and YouTube
- National credibility
But what’s more impressive is what happened after the show.
“Shark Tank helped us reach more people, but our growth didn’t rely on it. We were already building the foundation—courses, community, and a strong subscription model.” — Sharad
By 2025, SD Academia had launched:
- 250+ short courses
- 70+ curated bundles
- Hundreds of live sessions delivered to their growing community
- A 20-member team running content, support, product, and growth
- Paid ads running on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
- A full-fledged resin product line for learners
They weren’t just ready for growth—they had designed for it.
The Model: Teach Once, Serve Forever
SD Academia’s success didn’t come from one viral course. It came from building a stacked content ecosystem that serves people at different stages of their journey.
Here’s how it works:
1. Subscriptions That Lower Entry Barriers
- ₹299/month: Unlimited access to recorded sessions
- ₹666/month: Live + recorded sessions
- Annual plans with cost savings
This subscription-first approach gives learners freedom and affordability while generating predictable revenue for the business.
2. Bundles That Drive Upgrades
Their bestseller? The Resin Art Business Course—a ₹2,000–₹2,900 bundled with:
- 25 chapters
- Dozens of business-use techniques
- Lifetime access
- Bonus sessions on entrepreneurship
3. Live Sessions for High-Touch Learners
Live workshops with instructors offer community, accountability, and mentorship—backed by a thriving WhatsApp support group.
1M+ Views, 1 Cr+ Revenue, 1 Core Message
While many coaches struggle to scale content, SD Academia doubled down on content-led marketing.
Their Reels regularly cross 1 million views. They use tutorial-style content combining satisfying visuals with step-by-step walkthroughs.
Their paid ads highlight transformation, use coupon codes for urgency, and direct people into subscriptions or flagship bundles.
Behind the scenes? The engine is built on Knorish—which powers:
- Website and landing pages
- Payment gateways
- Course hosting
- Mobile app
- Automated WhatsApp + email follow-ups
“I didn’t want to rely on freelancers or agencies to manage everything. We needed a platform where we could do it ourselves, launch fast, and keep control.” — Sharad Dabra
Selling Products Alongside Knowledge
The moment people started asking, “Where do I buy the materials?”—Sharad knew it was time.
They launched resin art kits, tools, and material bundles that align directly with their courses.
- Students learn → need tools → buy from SD Academia
- Repeat loop = higher average order value and stickier retention
This move turned SD Academia from a course provider into a learning + commerce platform.
From Local to Global: Building a Community of Resinpreneurs
Today, SD Academia has:
- 100,000+ students
- 15+ countries reached
- 99% positive reviews
- A thriving WhatsApp support network
- A 20-person team powering content, education, and growth
And they’re not stopping.
“We’re not here to be just another course company. We’re here to help people create income, joy, and impact through their creativity.” — Sharad Dabra
What You Can Learn from SD Academia
SD Academia didn’t just create courses—they built a business ecosystem that lets them increase customer value, fuels retention, and empowers real-world results.
Here’s how they did it (and how you can too):
1. Increase Lifetime Value with a Value Ladder System
Not every customer starts at the top—and SD Academia knows it. That’s why they offer:
- One-time bundles for high-value transactions
- Entry-level subscriptions at just ₹299/month
Premium business courses that serve as upsells
This value ladder lets learners start small and invest more as their confidence (and results) grow. Over time, that ₹299 subscription compounds into high lifetime value—without relying on ads alone.
2. Build a Real Community, Not Just a Group
For SD Academia, community isn’t a passive Facebook group—it’s a living, breathing learning environment.
- Frequent live sessions for interaction and accountability
- New content drops and ongoing recorded access
- Learner support via WhatsApp and team touchpoints
They’ve created a culture of learning, sharing, and growth—something most online educators overlook.
3. Monetize What Learners Need Next
Teaching resin art is only half the journey. Learners also need tools to practice it.
SD Academia smartly added resin kits, tools, and materials—products their audience already planned to buy. By solving that need, they increased order value, built trust, and became a one-stop solution.
4. Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Education
The real win? SD Academia doesn’t just teach techniques. They help students start their own resin art businesses.
- Courses cover branding, pricing, marketing
- Certification builds credibility
- Live mentorship bridges the execution gap
By aligning education with entrepreneurship, they turn learners into creators—and customers into success stories.
The Blueprint for Building Your Own Education Empire
SD Academia’s journey from a small Chandigarh studio to a ₹1 crore+ coaching business offers a clear roadmap for anyone sitting on valuable knowledge. The key isn’t having the biggest audience or the most polished content—it’s about building systems that scale your business and serve your students at every stage of their journey.
Whether your expertise lies in cooking, fitness, design, or any other skill, the principles remain the same: start with subscription accessibility, create a genuine learning community, solve adjacent problems your students face, and focus relentlessly on helping them achieve real outcomes.
"You don't need a studio or a big team to start. You just need the right system, a camera, and the will to teach." — Sharad Dabra
The question isn’t whether you can build the next SD Academia. The question is: what’s stopping you from starting today?
Interested in starting your own coaching business? Try Knorish today. Start your free trial here.
