Quire Consulting

What Quire Consulting does

Quire Consulting is a qualitative research and strategy firm headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, founded in 2017 by Autumn Sanders. The firm applies applied anthropology, contextual research, ethnography, systems thinking, and human-centered design to help purpose-driven organizations understand the "why" behind audience behaviors. Its core service lines include Research & Strategy, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning, Retreats & Facilitation, Research Sprints (a shorter-format offering), and one-on-one Coaching Services built on a proprietary framework called the Customer Equation. The firm is MWBE certified and positioned as a thought partner embedded in the research process rather than an external recommendation-deliverer.

The firm's primary customers are nonprofits and mission-driven organizations in arts, civic engagement, community development, and workforce development, alongside foundations and local government entities (e.g., City of Birmingham, City of Mobile). Named engagements include support for the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium (which subsequently raised $1.8M as an independent 501(c)(3)), Nest's Makers' United program (which scaled to 1,800+ artisans across 47 states and 11 cities after Quire's pilot), Create Birmingham, the Greater Birmingham Arts & Education Collaborative, and the Birmingham Black Business Census (1,100+ responses across all 23 Birmingham communities, funded by Innovate Alabama and the Prosper Foundation). The core team comprises the founder/CEO and a Design Research Associate, supplemented by part-time staff and interns.

Quire operates on a sales-led, direct-engagement model with custom project-based pricing and multi-year contract cadence; no standard pricing tiers are publicly disclosed. Marketing is conducted through blog content, LinkedIn thought leadership, a monthly Mailchimp newsletter, conference speaking (including EPIC), and community-network referrals. The firm is privately held, bootstrapped, and has no disclosed external funding. In October 2025 the firm refreshed its brand and website in partnership with Pacific Campaign House, entering its eighth year of operation.

Name

Quire Consulting

Legal name

Quire Consulting

Website

https://quireconsulting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Quire Consulting is a Birmingham-based qualitative research and strategy firm, founded in 2017, that applies applied anthropology and human-centered design to help nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies understand their communities and design more effective programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Qualitative Research & Strategy Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Management Consulting Services (541618), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Innovation, Product & R&D Consulting (BPAHACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Organization Design & Operating Model Consulting (BPAHAGAB), DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) & Belonging Consulting (BPAHAGAJ), Public Sector & Policy Consulting (BPAHACAN)

Keywords

• Qualitative research consulting
• Human-centered design
• Strategic planning services
• Program evaluation consulting
• Applied anthropology research

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Research & Strategy Consulting: Project-based consulting engagements providing qualitative research, strategy development, and human-centered design services to purpose-driven organizations.
2. Coaching Services: One-on-one coaching using the Customer Equation framework, offered as individual sessions or four-part packages for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Quire Consulting is a qualitative research and strategy firm that helps purpose-driven organizations make smarter, more human decisions. Using applied anthropology, contextual research, and human-centered design methods, the firm uncovers the "why" behind the "what" by surfacing meaningful insights, challenging assumptions, and creating alignment around the people clients serve. The core offering is delivered through project-based consulting engagements spanning Research & Strategy, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning, Retreats & Facilitation, Coaching, and Research Sprints.

Product overview

Quire Consulting is a qualitative research and strategy firm offering a unified suite of consulting services rather than a software product. The core offering consists of Research & Strategy, Program Development & Evaluation, Strategic Planning, and Retreats & Facilitation services. Additionally, the company offers one-on-one Coaching Services using their proprietary Customer Equation framework, and Research Sprints for rapid insight gathering. All services are delivered through human-centered design methodologies including applied anthropology and contextual research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research & Strategy Qualitative research services that uncover beliefs, behaviors, and motivations shaping how people engage with clients' work, using applied anthropology, contextual research, and human-centered design methods. Targeted at purpose-driven organizations seeking to better understand their audiences.
• Program Development & Evaluation Services that help clients clarify goals, assess potential, and develop purpose-built programs grounded in qualitative research. Includes research-backed storytelling for funders and community alignment.
• Strategic Planning Co-creation of organizational vision, stakeholder alignment, and clear roadmaps for the future, built on a research foundation. For leaders of mission-driven organizations.
• Retreats & Facilitation Customizable retreats designed for reflection, alignment, and decision-making, where Quire facilitates and leaders participate rather than facilitate.
• Coaching Services One-on-one coaching using the Customer Equation framework to help business owners map their business, understand customers, and identify challenges. Available as individual sessions or four-part packages for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
• Research Sprints Focused, high-impact research engagements designed to validate strategic pivots, identify emerging gaps, and gather quick qualitative feedback from communities or stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Birmingham Black Business Census gathered 1,100+ responses across all 23 Birmingham communities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small BusinessesminorOthersFounder Autumn Sanders completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which provided crash course in business storytelling and connected her with entrepreneurs nationwide.
• Pacific Campaign HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunications partner that helped refresh Quire's brand and website in 2025. Partnered to deeply understand the business and unlock the company's story through words and images.
• Modern BrandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBranding agency that previously helped elevate Quire's brand and website. Believed in Quire's work and pushed the website forward.
• EPIC (Ethnographic Practice in Industry Community)minorOthersProfessional membership organization bringing together practitioners of ethnography. Founder Autumn Sanders is a member and has moderated sessions at EPIC conferences. Quire attends EPIC conferences to stay current on ethnographic research trends.
• DscoutminorOthersPremier UX research platform that provides articles, guides, and webinars through People Nerds resource center. Quire uses Dscout as a reference for AI integration in research practices.
• CO.STARTERSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting entrepreneurship ecosystems. Founder Autumn Sanders serves as a CO.STARTERS facilitator and trainer.
• Birmingham AIminorOthersLocal AI community that Quire engages with to stay current on AI developments affecting the workplace and research field.
• Babson College Black Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership ProgramminorOthersFounder Autumn Sanders graduated from Babson College's Black Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TCC Group: Consulting firm focused on nonprofit and philanthropic clients, offering strategy, evaluation, and capacity building services — strong overlap with Quire's program development and evaluation offerings.
• La Piana Consulting: Nonprofit strategy consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, organizational development, and capacity building for mission-driven organizations — overlaps directly with Quire's nonprofit clientele and service mix.
• Equal Measure: Philadelphia-based social impact research and consulting firm supporting foundations and nonprofits with evaluation and strategy — comparable equity-focused, community-centered practice serving mission-driven clients.
• Reboot: Social impact design and research firm using human-centered design and ethnographic research to support mission-driven organizations, governments, and foundations — directly comparable methodology and client base to Quire.
• ORS Impact: Evaluation and research firm focused on social impact, serving foundations and nonprofits with research, strategy, and learning services — closely aligned with Quire's research and evaluation practice.
• Innovation Network: Nonprofit focused on building evaluation and learning capacity in the social sector, offering research and consulting to mission-driven organizations — comparable in client segment and applied research approach.

Broad incumbents

• Bridgespan Group: Large nonprofit and philanthropic strategy consultancy serving foundations, nonprofits, and NGOs with strategy and organizational effectiveness work — operates at significantly greater scale in the same target market.
• IDEO: Global pioneer in human-centered design and design research, serving purpose-driven organizations and governments with ethnographic and design strategy — operates Quire's same core methodology at vastly larger scale.
• Arabella Advisors: Large philanthropic and impact advisory firm helping donors, foundations, and nonprofits design and execute strategy — comparable client base (foundations, nonprofits) but broader service portfolio.

Regional players

• Keystone Accountability: International consultancy focused on feedback, accountability, and stakeholder voice for development and social impact organizations — comparable qualitative research and stakeholder engagement methodology for mission-driven clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/quireconsulting
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quire-consulting

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quire Consulting