“I think of innovation as just one big giant problem to solve.”
When I went through a divorce in 2019, I had a really big problem to solve–I had to create a new life. The only way I made it to the other side is by creating space for empathy for myself. I had to move out of blame, shame, overwhelm, confusion and loneliness into forgiveness, presence, and a greater level of acceptance. The only way that I navigated that was by asking myself questions from a place of compassion and real curiosity.
This journey has inspired me to teach others how to shift their mental states to create more effectively, just like I did.
Once I saw the results in my own life, I wanted, as a researcher, to test it to see if the idea of "people innovation" could also work to help others innovate their lives. So, I gathered a handful of clients and career moms to Beta test an online course to walk them through the process. Through that, I saw miraculous changes in all of our lives through seeing possibilities we had not seen before. While everyone's still on their journey, they are all finding more joy because they're innovating with the heart, driving better creations.
“I love to solve problems.”
I have interviewed and facilitated over 20,000 hours of corporate empathy sessions and have conducted more than 11,000 hours of empathy research through my boutique research agency, April Bell Research Group. I have worked with many of the world’s giant brands, such as Pepsico, Burger King, Fifth Third Bank, P&G, Hewlett Packard, KAO, Tyson, and Pfizer. With an Executive MBA from SMU and the completion of Small Business Innovation programs at Dartmouth Tuck School of Business, Goldman Sachs, and Capital One, I have used my experience and education to help build brands and innovate products for Fortune 500 companies for nearly two decades.
When you hire me, the whole team works together to establish a space where everyone is heard and all parties can cross-functionally come together and leave unified.
Our values
- Grace, Grit & Gratitude
- Faith Over Fear
- Listen to Learn
- Truth Builds Trust
- Curious Minds, Courageous Hearts
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I have used my experience and education to help build brands and innovate products for Fortune 500 companies for nearly two decades. This publication has been inspired by my observations on the impact of empathy to impact personal and organizational transformation. My book discusses the importance of empathy in solving big problems while addressing the struggle to successfully innovate both personally and professionally.
“The Fire Starter: Igniting Innovation with Empathy”
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Meet Our Core Team
Lisa Martens
Project Manager
“I came to April with a half-baked research proposal and threw a lot of questions, objectives and information her way.”
“She listened, helped me talk through my ideas, and was able to pick up the pieces and put together a thoughtful, coherent research design that met my needs. I was very impressed by that. Also, her team executed everything flawlessly.”
Tyson Foods
“April is a top notch qualitative innovator, researcher, moderator. I have used her for both focus groups and in store shop-alongs”
“When working with shoppers, she has the ability to break down any inhibitions they may have and relate well to them. This enables them to open up to her and provide meaningful insights which can drive business decisions. In addition, she is creative and intuitive, both of which contribute to her great results in her field.”
Customer Market Knowledge at Procter & Gamble
“The ability to strategically guide the brand team to a place that allows us to achieve our future goals.”
"April is very strategic in this sense. Also, the ability to push back when the team may be going down a path that is either not part of the research project or not aligned the research goals.”
Kao USA
“Participating in this Empathy Co-Creation™ Institute opened up a host of new avenues for me.”
“The most important were the other women I met – all incredibly smart, thoughtful, inquisitive and supportive. They came from different parts of the country, different industries and in different stages of life. But each had a helpful perspective to offer and allowed me to question my current circumstances and learn what was most important to me.”
Executive VP, Chief Investment Officer, Global Financial Institution
“My experience with April Bell has been nothing short of exceptional."
"After outstanding results from a one-time research project this summer, April Bell Research has become an intrinsic part our marketing team, helping us strategically grow our vision to better understand our customers and the market.”
Senior Research Manager,
First Choice Power
“April is nothing short of a pleasure to work with. She has a vibrant personality that makes day-to-day seem effortless.."
“And coupled with a strong work ethic and attention to detail; this makes her a valuable asset to any team. If given the opportunity to partner with her on a project, I would do so in a heartbeat."
VP, Qualitative Research, Ipsos
You can learn how to intentionally make better choices by using the power of empathy to enhance empathy of self, teams and users to create better, together.
If you have historical data to support your decision, but you don’t understand the “why” behind your decisions, it can lead you astray. Deeper insights lead to greater understanding, enabling you to create better solutions. Let me teach you how to use empathy to get to the heart of what is driving decisions. When insights are done well, you will fan the flame to greater appeal..
