Keyhole Research & Consulting, LLC

Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a researcher? Well, this week, I took a group of design students at the New School of Architecture in San Diego on a fast-paced, hands-on tour through the world of research—where no two days (or career paths) look the same! In 90 minutes, we: ?? Wore all the research hats—from detective to human decoder—proving that the journey to becoming a researcher is rarely a straight line. More like a choose-your-own-adventure with unexpected twists! ?? Reverse-engineered grocery store product innovations, decoding what users likely said in focus groups and the real problems they needed solved. ?? Put four pizza cutters to the test, rating them on three attributes and realizing (surprise!) that opinions are all over the place. The lesson? Design decisions must consider who you’re designing for. ?? Dug into the delicate (and sometimes messy) dynamics between designers, researchers, and end users—because understanding biases is the first step to overcoming them. Huge thanks to Victor Nacif for the opportunity to nerd out with the next generation of designers, Brenda Parkin for being my forever inspiration when it comes to interactive learning, and Donald Sondys for helping round out this mini Nissan Design reunion! #DesignThinking #UserResearch #QualitativeResearch #DesignEducation #HandsOnLearning

Design + Toilet Paper + Ready Rice = ??? Tomorrow, I’ll be stepping into a room full of design students, and my props are packed: ? Rolls of toilet paper ? Pizza cutters ? Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice. What do these everyday items have to do with design research? ?? Any guesses? Excited to bring some hands-on, unexpected insights to this group—because great design starts with asking the right questions (and sometimes, a roll of TP). Big thanks to Victor Nacif for the invite—can’t wait to catch up with Donald Sondys and Brenda Parkin. The old Nissan Design crew rides again! ???? Also, shoutout to Cheryl Stella Dalisay—your TP idea made the cut! ???? Stay tuned for the full story! #DesignThinking #ResearchInAction #CreativeProblemSolving #CX

???????? ???????????? ???? ?????? ????????????: ?????????????????????? ???? #???????????????? You know that feeling after an incredible trip—the post-vacation blues? Well, I’ve got the post-conference blues in full force after an unforgettable #QRCA2025 in Philadelphia. This event wasn’t just a gathering of qualitative researchers—it was a reunion of some of the most empathetic, self-aware, and deeply insightful human decoders (yes, I picked up that gem at the conference!). No cold or guarded interactions here—just passionate professionals dedicated to understanding people on a whole new level. Beyond reconnecting with my Qually besties, I had the privilege of meeting so many new faces, each bringing fresh perspectives and energy to our field. And, of course, the insights were next-level—shaping how we evolve as researchers and where the industry is heading. As if the conference itself wasn’t enough, Philly brought the celebrations: an Eagles Super Bowl party, Valentine’s Day vibes, and President’s Day weekend all rolled into one! I’m already counting down to #QRCA2026 in San Antonio—who else is in? Cherri Christiansen (she/her), Natalia Infante Caylor, PhD, Maria Rosa Puras, Cynthia Tello, Colleen Dowd Kollman, Jenny Brandt, Fiona Ray, Marta Villanueva, M.S., Jay Zaltzman, Dean Stephens, Pascal Patenaude, Lauren Isaacson, Lauren McCluskey, Shelly Singh, Cheryl Stella Dalisay, Amy Mahony

?? Auto Show Season is in Full Swing! ?? For the first time since 1999, I found myself back at the San Diego Auto Show. While it’s not a show that’s typically on the radar of industry experts, I have to admit I enjoyed its digestible size and focus on mass-market brands—a refreshing change from the mega-events! This year, I had a first-time companion: my somewhat unenthusiastic teenage son. To my surprise, he LOVED it—thanks to the swag (hello, free merch!) and the interactive driving experiences. ?? Here’s what we got up to: ?? Test driving the sleek Lucid and sporty Kia EV6. ?? Experiencing professional courses in the Nissan Ariya and Volvo EX30. One thing was clear: electric vehicles stole the show. They weren’t just showcased—they were celebrated. It’s amazing to see how EVs have gone from niche to mainstream in just a few years. ? Your turn! ? When was the last time you attended an auto show? What stood out to you—was it a specific car, trend, or experience? Let’s spark some conversation in the comments! ???? #AutoShowSeason #ElectricVehicles #LucidMotors #NissanAriya#VolvoEX90#KiaEV6 #CarEnthusiast

???????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?? ???????????????????? ???????? ????????: ??’?? ???????????????????? ?? ??????????????????! I was thrilled to learn today that not only did my article make it into QRCA ?????????? ???????????????? (a publication for qualitative researchers), but I also landed on the cover—a completely unexpected and exciting first for me. The article, “?????????????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????? ????????????,” reflects on how visiting two immersive Meow Wolf experiences inspired me as a qualitative market researcher. It’s a story about finding creativity and insight by stepping into the unexpected—something I believe we can all do, no matter our profession. ?? Find the article link in the comments. Now I’d love to hear from you: ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ???? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ????????? Share your thoughts in the comments below! P.S. Thanks to Cherri Christiansen (she/her) who was my trusted exploration partner in the Meow Wolf Denver experience, not to mention the photographer of the cover shot!!

Honoring Veterans' Service and Courage Today

If you are a market researcher interested in a day of learning and connection, you should consider registering for this 1 day event in Los Angeles.

?? Exciting Collaboration Alert! ?? This year, Keyhole Research & Consulting teamed up with Kimberlee Richards, the visionary behind Caring for Mama —a brand dedicated to curating thoughtful self-care packages for mothers at every stage of their journey, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Together, we launched a two-phase research study to help Kim move from her pilot phase to a full-scale launch. ?? Phase 1: We kicked off with a nationwide online survey, gathering invaluable feedback on the range of products featured in the care packages. Phase 2: This past Saturday, despite the heat wave, an incredible group of local moms joined us for an interactive 2-hour feedback session, evaluating all three care packages in detail. Their insights have already started shaping the next steps for the brand! Curious about how Caring for Mama is using these insights to elevate their brand—or how actionable research can help YOUR brand transform ideas into impactful decisions? Let's connect! Reach out to Keyhole Research to learn more. ?? #MarketResearch #BrandStrategy #CustomerInsights #CaringForMama #KeyholeResearch #ConsumerFeedback #BusinessGrowth

?? H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y T O U S !!!! ?? This week marks the 5-year birthday of Keyhole Research & Consulting, LLC. Little did I realize at its inception that this week also celebrates #worldfocusgroupday. Coincidence? We'll never know. It's been an amazing 5 years. Keyhole Research has expanded into many exciting categories from retail to food to autonomous mobility. Keyhole continues to deepen its deep automotive expertise. In 5 years, we have supported 15 automotive brands from Korea, Japan, the US, Germany, and Italy. If your business needs to move from HUNCH to HIGH ACTION INSIGHTS, it's time to book a discovery call today! See our booking link in the comments below.