Get to Know Us
Michele DeKinder-Smith is a seasoned researcher, having led a mixture of qualitative and quantitative research for strategic initiatives in the packaged goods, services, government, private/public partnership, and retail arenas with consumer, business-to-business, and government-to-business relationships over the past eighteen years.
Her expertise lies in deeply understanding her clients' objectives and challenges and then bringing the right research designs and analytic tools to bear to ensure they make informed decisions based on clear and strong recommendations. In particular, she is adept at helping clients deeply understand customer segments, select their targets, and drive innovation and messaging to further client brands within those targets.
Michele is also an entrepreneur, twice over, having started Linkage Research and Consulting in 1998 and then founding Jane Out of the Box in the latter half of 2007. Michele understands the needs of large corporations and government agencies and she also understands the needs of female entrepreneurs. Through research, publications, consulting, and training, Jane Out of the Box helps each of these audiences achieve its goals.
Over the course of her career, Michele's research clients have included primary Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and leading advertising and marketing agencies, including Applebee's International, Coors, Clorox, Enterprise Florida, Florida Trend Magazine, Florida State Fairgrounds, Frito-Lay, Akzo Nobel, Jamba Juice, JCPenney Direct Marketing Services, Lotus, McCann-Erickson, Nestle, Starbucks, TeleCheck, Texas Department of Economic Development, Tropicana, TTI FloorCare, and Verizon.
In addition, Michele currently has a "growing following" of approximately 4,000 female entrepreneurs via various social media platforms, educational blogs and newsletters. She is passionately committed to helping a growing list of women succeed via entrepreneurship and knows that corporate and government programs created using rich insights about female entrepreneurs are a critical part of equation. Michele's creative problem-solving skills and passionate, empathetic style result in rich customer-focused understanding - a necessity for brilliant innovation and marketing.
Michele received her Master of Marketing Research (MMR) degree from the prestigious program at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia. She maintains a expert-designation Professional Researcher Certification (PRC).
Michele currently sits on the Governance Committee of Board of the American Marketing Association and is a Past President of the AMA's Professional Chapters Council, which provides all training and program development for the 74 local AMA boards serving 24,000 professional marketers. She is also a member of the Marketing Research Association and the National Association of Women Business Owners. She is a sought-after speaker at university and association events and a frequent guest on broadcast media targeting entrepreneurs.
Bonnie Schroeder is a professional moderator & marketing strategist who partners with her clients to reach their target market with the right message, at the right time. Her expertise lies in product/concept optimization and fit, strategy & positioning, brand equity & image management as well as advertising, packaging & communications development.
She has conducted hundreds of focus groups, in-depth interviews, in-home ethnographic interviews and online/electronic research discussion over her 15+ year career, with extensive practical qualitative research experience. This broad category and target experience allows her to explore business issues from any angle with skill and ease, providing insights and recommendations that reflect a deep understanding of corporate and customer decision-making.
Bonnie’s client base is composed largely of Fortune 500 clients including Hallmark Cards, Playtex Products, Maybelline, Quaker Foods, ConAgra Foods, American Century Investments, H&R Block, Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Procter and Gamble, Sears, Whirlpool, GTE, General Mills, and Sprint.
Her background also extends into the corporate board room, with a broad range of experience facilitating internal meetings and brainstorming/ideation sessions. Her high energy and creative thinking helps maximize ideation and drive brand and category innovations.
Bonnie is often praised by clients who cite her enthusiasm, dedication to her work, and preparation and industry knowledge as instrumental in achieving success in their research endeavors.
She received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Speech Communications with an emphasis in Business from Augustana College. She is an active member of the American Marketing Association.