My journey began at the University of Minnesota, where I focused on educational technology and psychology research. I was particularly drawn to how conversational AI could be used to help students learn more effectively. As a research assistant, I worked on projects that enhanced educators' ability to provide real-time feedback through AI, which led to improved student outcomes. While I enjoyed these technical and data-driven challenges, I soon realized that the academic research process was far slower than I had anticipated.What I found most fulfilling was helping people and working directly with data to create innovative solutions. The lengthy academic cycle didn’t align with my desire to make a faster, more tangible impact. This insight led me to transition into industry research, where I could apply my skills to more dynamic, real-world problems. I joined a startup, where I helped develop research plans for future academic work while also refining their product positioning through consumer insights. During this time, I also began contracting with companies as a 1099 researcher to deepen my understanding of the market research field. This experience showed me the power of using research to directly influence business decisions and strategies.Through this process, I realized I didn’t want to be just another cog in the system. Instead, I wanted to use my skills to make a meaningful impact on organizations and leverage my work to do good in the world. This realization drove me to build my own business, Drake Insights, where I help companies turn data into actionable strategies that truly make a difference. Since starting Drake Insights, I've focused on using my expertise in both academic and industry research to deliver insights that drive real change. My goal is to help businesses not only grow but also make meaningful, informed decisions that benefit their customers and communities.