About
Dan Shapera, PhD
I’ve spent more than 15 years conducting research for businesses, including 10 years leading research teams across Ed Tech, IT SaaS, Healthcare, and Fintech, from high-growth startups to billion-dollar companies.
Along the way, I’ve worked closely with teams across design, product development, sales, and marketing, helping research support clearer decisions, stronger products, and better customer experiences.
What continues to interest me most is how small but mighty research efforts can uncover meaningful patterns, reduce uncertainty, and create momentum for businesses trying to navigate complex decisions well.
I love when things just work.
When they consistently and reliably do what they’re supposed to do. To an unhealthy degree, I love it.
But what I love even more is the process of getting there: identifying problems, uncovering root causes, testing solutions, and making a real impact on people’s lives.
And nowhere is that more important than in the outdoors, where reliability, usability, and experience can make all the difference.
Outdoors
Camping is our family’s gateway to hiking, rockhounding, biking, SUP, off-road exploration, and plenty of RC shenanigans. I’m drawn to gear, products, and services that make those experiences easier, safer, or more enjoyable, especially when they bring people together.
Personally, I lean toward simplicity. I still cook on a $40 Coleman stove that rides in a $10 Home Depot bin because they both still work. At the same time, I know firsthand how quickly “simple” outdoor setups can evolve into roof tents, truck campers, dreams of 12v fridges, and endless efforts to reduce weight before the next trip.
Living in the American Southwest means endless possibilities—18 national monuments, six national forests, all four major U.S. deserts, and sky islands teeming with diverse flora and fauna. The region is steeped in history, from pioneer trails and famous gunfights to astronaut training sites and legendary film locations.
Year-round, we chase elevation: heading north to lakes and forests in the summer, south to desert sunsets in the winter. The more we get outdoors, the more places we want to go and the more fun we have.
Who I Work With
I intentionally work with small businesses in the outdoor space because that’s where my passion, expertise, and impact are strongest.
Small outdoor business leaders carry a unique kind of ambition. Many are building products, services, and experiences rooted in personal experience, hard-earned expertise, and a deep desire to help people enjoy the outdoors more fully.
Running a small business means constantly balancing mission and margins, customer expectations and operational realities, long-term vision and day-to-day demands.
The outdoor industry moves quickly. Competition is strong, reputation matters, and customer feedback shapes decisions and relationships in real time.
The businesses that succeed are often the ones that stay closely connected to their customers, adapt thoughtfully, and consistently deliver experiences people trust and recommend.
Company of One
My model of work is built around long-term relationships, direct collaboration, and trust. I answer only to my clients, and I stay closely connected to the work from research planning through implementation.
Working with me means deep expertise, focused collaboration, and research tailored specifically to your business, without the overhead and layers of a large agency.
I primarily operate as a Company of One because it allows me to stay selective, adaptable, and fully invested in the businesses I support.
This isn’t my side gig. It’s my craft, my expertise, and my full-time commitment.