Hi — thanks for taking a few minutes. I'm part of a small team studying how local businesses
in your area actually run day-to-day. Not a sales pitch. We just want to learn what your week
really looks like so we can build something that actually helps — not one more thing to ignore.
Most questions are quick. A couple ask for a sentence or two. Skip anything that feels too
personal. If you'd rather just talk, reply with "let's talk" and we'll call you instead.
About 5 minutes. No login needed.
For
Jeff · Erin · Abhinav
Method
Stanford d.school empathy research
Markets
Covington · DC · San Diego · Austin
Q1 · Story · Opener
Tell me about your business in 3 sentences — what you do, who you serve, and why you
personally started it.
We read every word. The "why you started it" sentence often tells us more than any other
question in this survey.
Q2 · Basics
Quick basics — these help us calibrate.
No right or wrong here.
Less than 1 year
1–3 years
4–7 years
8–15 years
15+ years
Just me
2–3
4–6
7–15
16 or more
Q3 · Behavior · A2 / C2
Last week — roughly how many hours did you work in the business versus on it?
IN = the stuff you love — the actual work with customers. ON = the stuff that has to happen —
strategy, planning, admin. Honest guess is fine.
Q4 · Behavior · C2 / G3
When was the last full day you took completely off — phone away, no checking in?
Q5 · Behavior · D1
How would you describe your current grasp on the financial side of your business?
No right answer — we're trying to understand what the day-to-day feels like, not test you.
Q6 · Behavior · A1 / A5
In the last 7 days, which of these did you actually do?
Check all that apply — real actions only, not plans.
Q7 · Behavior · B5
Two quick ones about software.
Software and apps only — just the names. Square, Jobber, Mailchimp, Canva — whatever comes to
mind.
Q8 · Behavior · A4
When a stranger reaches out about your service and doesn't book on the spot — what happens
next?
Q9 · Pain Map · All Domains
Of these areas, which currently cost you the most sleep? Pick your top 3.
Sleep, not strategy. We want what actually keeps you up at night.
↳ Max 3 — deselect one to choose another
Q10 · Dream State · F3
Wave a magic wand. One thing about running your business is fixed or handed off
forever. What is it?
Fix it or hand it off — either answer tells us what matters most.
Q11 · Emotion · G3
On a normal Wednesday at 3pm, which best describes how you feel about your business?
Q12 · Consent and Contact
We'd love to share what we're learning — and hear more from you. Up for a quick 15-minute
chat?
No pitch. No agenda. We'll ask a few questions, listen hard, and share back what we learn.
Coffee's on us.
Thank you for the real version.
That's it. Truly. Thank you for trusting us with a few honest answers — we'll honor that by not
wasting your time. If you're open to a conversation, we'll be in touch within 48 hours.