My passion for consumer research

✨ 12 Years, Thousands of Conversations, and Still in Awe of What Humans Share! ✨

This week, I had the privilege of moderating consumer research for three days straight.

I’ve been moderating research for more than 12 years, and it has become one of my greatest passions. It’s a role I will never take for granted, because to do it well requires a deep level of trust - something consumers gift me every time they open up about their lives, their choices, and their most personal experiences.

Over the years, I’ve talked to people about almost everything under the sun: from menopause to money, chewing gum to credit cards, skin care to crisis management, tuna to lattés, and snack foods of every imaginable kind. Every topic, no matter how small or serious, has revealed something profound about what it means to be human.

I’ve been welcomed into people’s homes and invited into their worlds in cities as varied as Shanghai, Mexico City, Berlin, San Francisco, Barcelona, Montreal, and Chicago. I’ve watched parents feed their babies, followed people into their bathrooms to watch them brush and floss their teeth (maybe that's why I'm still obsessed with my own oral care!), and sat at kitchen tables while Boomers hosted dinner parties with lifelong friends. Each moment is a reminder: when you create a safe, respectful space, people will show you their truth.

And after thousands of conversations, here are five universal truths I’ve learned about humans:

1️⃣ First impressions will mislead you. The richest insights often come when you look past appearances and let people surprise you.
2️⃣ The “messy bits” are where the magic happens. Wifi glitches, noisy kids, and awkward pauses aren’t distractions; they’re real life. Gold often hides inside the imperfect moments.
3️⃣ Contradictions are the richest data. Humans don’t always make sense on paper, and that’s the point. It’s in the tensions (the infamous gap between what people say and what they do) that breakthrough insights emerge.
4️⃣ True listening unlocks honesty. When people feel seen, not judged, they’ll share things they never planned to. Empathetic listening is the key to real stories.
5️⃣ Neutrality is a superpower. The moment it becomes about me (my reactions, my agreements, even my smiles) the data is skewed. Staying neutral keeps the consumer’s truth intact.

🔍 If you’re looking for a moderator who can bring empathy, curiosity, and sharp insight to your next piece of consumer research, I’d love to help.

After 12+ years, I know how to get to the heart of what people really think, feel, and do, and I’d be honoured to do that for you.

📩 Let’s connect!