Daniel’s Inspiring Journey from Design Lead to Co-Founder

We are thrilled to interview an exceptional guest and add him to our Champ Life Series; Daniel Robins, the Co-Founder, and Director of Dualo.

We’ve got a series of questions for Daniel to learn more about his journey & his successes.

Kulsoom: Hi Daniel, thanks for being a part of our #ChampsLifeSeries. To start, please introduce yourself.

Daniel: Hey, I’m Dan, I’m one of the Co-Founders of Dualo, which is a solution provider for research teams. We build technology and provide services that help teams maximize the value and impact of their research insights – whether that’s user, marketing, or any other kind of insights.

Kulsoom: How did you get into the research world? What inspired you to pursue your career in it?

Daniel: Coming from a UX background, I was always intrigued by the research realm, and I have been lucky enough to work with many inspiring researchers throughout my career. The way research makes a real difference in people’s lives, that user-centric approach, I knew I had a passion for it, and I was determined to dive in headfirst. So, I embraced the challenge, learned the ropes, and started contributing my bit to this amazing world.

Kulsoom: What was the inspiration behind your decision to Co-Found Dualo?

Daniel: My co-founders and I set out to understand the biggest challenges surrounding the full product discovery process and how research is actioned. We found that whilst the benefits of research are clear and widely recognized throughout mature organizations, few tools helped to elevate the findings after a research study is complete – with many insights getting trapped within final reports and shareouts, ultimately depreciating in value.

We found that many senior researchers earn between $100-200k a year. Most research projects take around 6 weeks to complete. And with the average research report holding up to 10 new insights, being conservative, this means that each insight costs around $1,250. But these insights become trapped in reports and quickly start to depreciate in value.

We’ve spoken with teams who have hundreds of reports with insights locked away, unable to get repeatable value from their previous research efforts.

There was (and still is!) a lot of focus on ways to accelerate and improve doing research, but very few tools and processes designed to help further leverage existing research.

We realized we wanted to help solve this huge problem that no one seemed to be addressing, but we’d experienced first hand ourselves.

Kulsoom: What were the struggles you faced at the start of your professional and entrepreneurial journey, and how did you overcome them?

Daniel: The struggles were real, no doubt about it! At the beginning of my journey, I faced the classic duo – self-doubt, and fear of failure. It was tough breaking into the industry, and as an entrepreneur, the challenges seemed never-ending.

But hey, I didn’t back down. I embraced the hurdles as opportunities to learn and grow. Seeking advice from experienced mentors and non-stop networking helped me gain valuable insights. And most importantly, I learned to trust my instincts and believe in my abilities. Slowly but surely, I overcame those obstacles and became stronger in the process. It’s been a wild ride but totally worth it!

Kulsoom: As an inspiring founder, what advice would you give to new businesses that are just starting?

Daniel: Believe in yourself and your vision. When the going gets tough (and it will), stay resilient and never lose sight of your passion. Often the only difference between a successful business and a failed one is perseverance – you’re likely closer than you think to a decision, a chance introduction, or a thought that could change your life.

Surround yourself with a supportive network, seek advice from experienced entrepreneurs, and don’t be afraid to pivot if needed. Embrace failures as stepping stones to success, and continuously learn from every experience. Most importantly, stay true to your purpose, and keep innovating. Best of luck on your exciting journey ahead!

Kulsoom: Who is your inspiration, both personally and professionally?

Daniel: Oh, this one’s tough! I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a multitude of inspiring figures, both personally and professionally. From influential mentors who guided and supported me to the fantastic network of inspirational practitioners I’ve connected with over the years – they’ve all left an indelible mark on my journey. Each one contributed in a unique way, shaping my perspective and pushing me to grow.

It’s impossible to pick just one, but I’m truly grateful for all of them and the profound impact they’ve had on my life and career. My parents certainly deserve a special mention here for all of the inspiration and support they’ve given me over the years to not settle for anything but my dreams. I would encourage anyone to proactively seek positive people to surround themselves wherever possible, and you’ll find that you’ll be incredibly inspired in everything you do.

Kulsoom: Stepping aside from work, how do you spend your free time? Anything in particular that helps you recalibrate and break the monotony?

Daniel: When I’m not at work, you’ll find me exploring the world with my amazing wife – traveling is our ultimate passion. It’s the best way to unwind, experience new cultures, and create memories. I’m constantly inspired by my travels in my work and life in general.

Besides that, spending quality time with friends and family is priceless. Those moments of laughter and deep conversations (ideally not about work!) truly rejuvenate me. Oh, and morning workouts – they keep me mentally and physically fit, ready to take on any challenge that comes my way. These activities are my secret recipe to recalibrate, break the monotony, and keep the zest for life alive!

Kulsoom: Now it’s time for our rapid-fire round:

Rapid Fire Round 

And that’s a wrap! We are thankful to Daniel Robins for his precious time and for sharing his stories and experience with our champ audience.