When I was conducting consumer research in December, I admit I found myself frequently annoyed by how hard it is to pin down what consumers wnat. Then I had a meta-realization: I too, am a consumer.

Certainly I have standard behaviors, but even I am sometimes astonished by the decisions that I make. Why do I sometimes debate the “greenness” of a product for half an hour (looking completely lost and clueless) at a grocery store, while other times buy the non-organic, likely-GMO’d option?

I don’t know.

But I do know that I’m a passionate consumer, vocal about my wants and needs. I proactively reach out to companies with very in-depth feedback. Sometimes they listen, oftentimes they don’t (I once sent an email offering a debrief of my experience over the phone for a very early stage start-up, and I was politely waved-off). I get that resources are limited, but customer feedback should be one of the few things resources are devoted to, especially in the earliest stages of start-up. Consumers can be a powerful ally in building your product, if you know to involve them, and I want to be sure I capitalize on every opportunity I can get.

If you’re a passionate consumer, please try my product. I promise to dedicate myself to hearing what you have to say. Because your tastes are spontaneous, and rapidly changing, and all-powerful. If you ever want to talk my ear off, please do; I’ll buy you a drink.