I spent March following instructions: diamond art kits with letter-to-number codes and paint-by-numbers templates. The structure felt perfect for my puzzle-loving brain after February's coloring stress - until I discovered the accessibility barriers built into craft kits that assume everyone has perfect vision and dexterity. The diamond art demanded hours of focused silence, left me hunched over tiny gems, and produced 12 finished pieces I had no plan for. But instead of calling it a time suck, I'm calling it a starting point: researching sealers, thrifting vintage napkins for Mod Podge frames, and turning a $20 template kit into curated wall art. Here's what March taught me about when hobbies create friction, when they demand presence, and how to elevate the template into something that's actually yours.

An industry debate about a major AI tech company's xlarge-scale research report got researchers fired up — but the bigger question wasn't about methodology. It was about something more foundational: do we even agree on what kind of data we're looking at? This post breaks down primary vs. secondary research, where social data fits in (hint: it's not a clean answer), and why critical thinking is your most underrated research tool.

I spent February bringing color into my gray Chicago winter with coloring books, markers, and the expectation of meditative relaxation. What I got instead: color-matching stress, perfectionism pressure, and the realization that "therapeutic" hobbies aren't one-size-fits-all. While my kaleidoscope coloring book overwhelmed me, word searches delivered the brain-building satisfaction I needed. The Permission Slip Method isn't just about trying new hobbies - it's about giving yourself permission to admit when something feels like work instead of play, even when everyone says it should be relaxing.

I spent January doing puzzles - not for productivity, not for business skills, just because. Starting with an easy 108-piece and escalating to a challenging 1,000-piece Disney puzzle that stumped me, I learned something unexpected: permission isn't just about starting hobbies, it's about giving yourself the freedom to struggle, pause, and quit. Here's what a month of puzzles taught me about patience, pivoting, and why not every hobby needs to be conquered.

I didn't realize I'd stopped being fun until I accidentally became fun again. As a solopreneur working from home, I thought more hours meant more success—until burnout proved me wrong. When I started giving myself permission to pursue hobbies that had nothing to do with revenue, something unexpected happened: I had more energy, better client solutions, and showed up more engaged with my business. The research backed it up: the problem isn't time or money, it's the belief that play must be earned. This is the story of how I developed The Hobby Prescription and why I'm spending 2026 trying a new hobby every month.

After years of teaching undergraduate marketing courses, Kayte Hamilton is back in the student seat taking a keynote speaking course. Here's what trading roles taught her about learning and growth (so far) after just one week in.

It’s arrived! The 2025 Happy Mail gratitude mailing has been delivered to TSQ’s clients and partners. Take a peak inside and learn the story behind the items that made into this year’s bright blue square box.

Having anxiety dreams about clients misunderstanding your business? You're not alone. Here's what a bizarre work nightmare taught me about clear marketing with tips worth implementing.

Discover why Americans over 30 are ditching the "pizza and beer" moving tradition. Our social media research for Mayflower reveals surprising insights about professional movers.

Tis the season for GIFTING! As a self-certified professional shopper who collects gifts all year long, here is Kayte’s first official gift guide post. More speciality lists and ideas coming next!

From storage to studio: how to leverage unconventional spaces for your business. Real costs, furniture finds, and safety considerations for creating functional workspace on a bootstrap budget. Perfect for startups and side hustles.

An introduction to SoQue Society: how a serial entrepreneur turned wardrobe chaos into a consignment business teaching students hands-on digital marketing and e-commerce skills. Sometimes the best business ideas come from unexpected places – read this if you need permission to start that new venture

Feeling burned out from constant industry content and networking? Sometimes the best business insights come from completely unrelated hobbies. Here's what my first 1,000 piece puzzle (Bridgerton themed!) taught me about agency ownership, productivity cycles, and strategic patience. Yes, this is a cliche’d business blog post 😉

After 15 years in market research, I've seen every survey mistake imaginable. Learn the 9 essential "Survey Manners" that separate professional data collection from amateur hour - from writing human-friendly questions to fair compensation and mobile optimization. Better survey etiquette leads to better data quality.

LASIK recovery reality check: The real timeline from procedure to healing, including unexpected complications, goggle life, and why you should plan a hair blowout before surgery. Honest experience of needing adjustments and solo recovery tips. Links to donation place for post-procedure supplies you may still have on hand.

Real LASIK experience: 30 years of vision problems, the breaking point that led to surgery, costs, and the practical planning details no one warns you about. From hotel logistics to tax deductions, here's what I wish I'd known before my LASIK consultation and procedure. #NotSponsored

Discover how video screening transforms qualitative research recruitment from standard survey filtering to strategic advantage. Learn why our two-step social media recruitment process yields better tech qualification, communication assessment, and rapport-building than traditional methods. Part two of our series on elevating participant selection for more authentic insights, fewer no-shows, and better quality data.

Learn more about what happens at the beginning of a qualitative research project and how a moderator's perspective transforms the recruitment process for market research. The Social Question and Fieldwork team up on this blog to share why traditional screeners miss crucial human elements and how conversational screening uncovers the stories behind checkbox answers. The first in our two-part series on elevating participant selection from administrative filtering to strategic research advantage.

Discover how The Social Question’s innovative Content Connections social media recruiting methodology achieved a 93% completion rate for a complex 6-week health tech device study. Learn how leveraging creator relationships, video screening, and personalized communication transformed participant quality and engagement beyond traditional recruitment methods. Perfect for researchers seeking participants with niche recruiting needs, consumers that tech-savvy, and willingness to discuss topics over extended periods.

Not just a hit Disney song! Learn from Kayte’s experience on how stepping back from overwhelming commitments can create space for what truly matters. In this blog, she shares about how canceling projects, taking breaks, and finding unexpected freedom in saying 'no' to reconnect with what's essential and to prepare for the next season of growth personally and professionally.