At Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas), focus group research was conducted to determine research needs and to inform the development of a new educational research center. Four graduate research assistants and a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership formed a study group to review the literature on focus groups and methodology. Using the "Focus Group Kit" books (R. Krueger, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1998), the group developed questions, prepared materials, and completed five pilot sessions and reports on them. Biographical commentaries from the participants show how the individuals became a team. These personal narratives chronicle the development of a cohesive group of moderators for future research focus groups. (Contains 23 references.) (SLD)