About Drill Bit Labs
We bring a research-led lends to digital strategy.
Drill Bit Labs is a boutique research and digital strategy consulting firm.
We partner with digital experience and product leaders to solve complex challenges, optimize digital touchpoints, and create solutions that align user needs with business goals.
Through expert research, we uncover insights that drive strategic change, translating them into initiatives that shape product direction, influence go-to-market strategies, and optimize digital touchpoints. Our close collaboration with client leadership allows us to seamlessly weave research into their digital strategies.
This seamless integration of research and strategy empowers our clients to make informed decisions that directly contribute to business growth, innovation, and competitive advantage.
Meet the lab

About the name.
“People don’t want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole!”
– Theodore Levitt
Drawing inspiration from the Jobs to Be Done framework, “Drill Bit” reflects a focus on outcomes and flexibility in achieving them. We know it’s the “hole,” not the drill bit, that counts.
Like a skilled craftsperson choosing the right tool for the job, we draw upon a diverse toolkit of consulting services, user research expertise, and coaching and training programs. We precisely tailor our approach to your unique situation for the most impact.
Lawton Pybus, PhD
Principal, User Research & Digital Strategy

Lawton is a Principal and co-founder of Drill Bit Labs. With a background in human factors, he has prior experience leading UX research teams at UserTesting, UserZoom, and MeasuringU, and executing research on teams at Charles Schwab and Cabela's. He is an author and regularly speaks at industry conferences like UXPA.
Thomas Stokes, PhD
Principal, User Research & Digital Strategy

Thomas is a Principal and co-founder of Drill Bit Labs. His prior experience includes user experience and digital strategy consulting at UserTesting, UserZoom, and WillowTree, and product research for RedHat, Fulcrum Labs, and Gilero. He is an author, speaks at industry conferences, and is a regular at local UX meetups in Raleigh, NC.
Ready to drill deeper?
Contact us today to discuss how we can partner with you to create exceptional user experiences and achieve your business goals.