Jean Craciun
sociologist, entrepreneur

Craciun Research

I own a full service market research firm that started in Anchorage Alaska in 1989; I opened an office in Washington DC in 2003 and one in Seattle in 2005. We own a franchise for The Body Shop (started by Anita Roddick in England) in Alaska. We live on Queen Anne in Seattle. I am a mom to Anthony and Anna Sofia and work has to be interesting and important enough to take me away from them.

I am a sociologist and love to conduct focus groups on innovative topics for clients who really want to know what the people think. I am a "connector" as they say....and love to create a buzz for a client when they are doing something worth noting. We travel alot for work and play .....always love to get to know the people and places. I enjoy helping people start businesses and have some ideas always in my head for what we might be doing next in the Seattle area.

More clients who want to conduct professional focus groups and really get to know the people. More pals that have similar entrepreneurial interests to explore with me. I still have great friends in Alaska and my most accomplished buddy writes for the New York Times....but I need to find my gang in the Seattle area....I know you are there.

I have a BA from the University of Cincinnati in Political Science and a Masters degree in Sociology with a concentration in research methodology from Cleveland State University. I am ABD (all but the dissertation) from Boston University for a an education doctorate....left the east coast and never got back to finish it. I guess I have resolved that I don't need it.

Yikes....where does one start? In the early 90's I trained Russian Sociologists on how to conduct focus groups in a most unhospitable environment. I resolved I could do research anywhere after that. Challenges working in Alaska were always about getting around that very large state....and many white knuckle flights. The last frontier provided me the opportunity to listen and learn from the last intact cultural group in America...the first peoples of Alaska....native folk. The excitement I feel working in Seattle has to do with many interesting projects and people...potential...I love that Washington has Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian folk too. Alaska has many resources to develop but is way behind the renewable resources game.....Seattle is a trend setter in this regard and I would love to get into it in some big way. Trying to find that next business while maintaining thriving companies in Alaska and exploring what exciting work can be done in Seattle.