About Us

Experts in refining, reviving, redefining and repositioning your products or service.

Research Explorers ™, established in 1994, provides actionable solutions through a variety of qualitative tools and techniques including: focus groups, dyads/triads, in-depth interviews, bulletin boards and ethnographies. We work with you to help revive, redefine or reposition your product, service or communication.

While our primary focus is the African American, women and teen markets, we have conducted general market and male research projects. Prior engagements include consumer goods, durables, healthcare, automotive, public policy and social marketing.

Lisa Gaines McDonald

Lisa Gaines McDonald has over 25 years of research, marketing and strategic planning experience. She conducts over 100 focus groups a year through her company Research Explorers. She provides astute observations on the African-American, consumer, social marketing health and teen markets through focus groups and other qualitative research tools. Corporations who have utilized her knowledge and insights include: Sears, Pfizer, GMC, Johns Hopkins Medical Center , Toyota , Volkswagen, Ford, University of Chicago , State Farm Bank, Country Wide, Bank of America, Garfield Park Conservatory, United Health Group, Unilever, Procter and Gamble, Wal-Mart and McDonald’s. Ad agencies and research firms include: Burrell, E. Morris Communications, Ogilvy & Mather, Carol H. Williams Advertising, TNS Market Development, Aeffect, KRC Research, Lieberman Worldwide, and others.

Prior to moderating she worked fifteen years in both consumer and health care marketing for such notable companies as General Mills, Inc., The University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, Avery Label, Eli Lilly and Company, and TomTec Imaging Systems, Inc. This diverse experience has helped her to design and conduct insightful and actionable research.

Lisa has a Masters of Business Administration from The University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler School of Business and is constantly enhancing her professional skills.

Professionally, she is involved with Marketing Research Association, Qualitative Research Consultants Association, Inc. (Co-chair, Chicago Chapter), Arts and Business Council of Chicago, Chicago Minority Business Development Council, Leadership Illinois, Operation Push Trade Bureau, and the Creative Problem Solving Institute.




Our Logo

The eye is the symbol of light, vision, intuition and introspection. Since 1994 we have used our eyes, ears and minds to provide perceptive, insightful and actionable research through focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnographies, and bulletin boards.. Let us help you explore your possibilities – whether you have new ideas, perplexing problems, or need a communication strategy clarified.

MBE / WBE CERTIFICATIONS

Research Explorers is certified as a women-owned and minority business through:

  • 8(a) / Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
  • National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
  • Chicago Minority Business Development Council
  • State of Illinois (CMS)
  • Cook County
  • City of Chicago

 

Primary NAICS Codes

541720 - Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

541910 - Market Research and Public Opinion Polling