Back in 1986, when my father Tom Quirk started Quirk’s Marketing Research Review, he had no idea how well-received the publication would be, nor how large an audience it would garner.
He started out in a one-room office in an old house with used furniture and shag carpeting. After school my siblings and I would have to work entering names into the circulation lists on a basic IBM computer system – which cost $10,000 and was the only new piece of equipment my dad invested in. With his perseverance and leadership the magazine quickly grew – in large part because he listened to what the readers wanted and needed in the publication – and circulation and issue-frequency increased over the years.
Fortunately, we are far removed from that one-room office but we continue to hold onto our humble beginnings (we still have used office furniture!). As we reflect upon the things we are thankful for this week, I thought it would be appropriate to express our gratitude to some of the people who have helped us get where we are today:
1. Quirk’s is very thankful for all of our faithful readers and Web site users. We realize they have many choices for how they spend their time and we are proud that they turn to us.
2. Quirk’s is thankful for all of our advertisers, many of whom have been with us for over 20 years! Without their support, Quirk’s would not be possible.
3. Quirk’s is thankful for our contributing authors, who are willing to share their research successes, failures and knowledge with our readers.
4. Quirk’s is thankful for the research industry associations, who, like us, champion the use and improvement of marketing research.
5. Quirk’s is thankful for our wonderful staff. It’s a pleasure to come to work every day knowing that you have co-workers who are committed to the cause and will go out of their way to provide outstanding service to our valued readers and advertisers.
Wishing all a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving!
Steve Quirk
President and Publisher of Quirk’s Marketing Research Review