>What makes your business unique?
Percipio is a Portland-based firm with Portland-based consultants. This enables us to build a strong culture that fosters deep connections with both employees and clients and creates a collaborative environment. Our consultants leverage the strengths and capabilities of their peers and we far exceed the industry average for employee retention. In turn, we are able to provide continuity to our clients and gain depth within their business. Additionally, this local connection with clients enables us to build trusted relationships across all levels at clients. Once we establish this relationship, Percipio is the first call our clients make when they are initiating new projects.
 
>What's on the horizon for you?
After founding and running the company for 21 years, I recently exited and transitioned ownership to two senior leaders within the firm. I am engaged in an advisory capacity. I am really excited about this phase in life that involves unprecedented personal and professional change including: transitioning ownership of my firm, launching our son to college, seeing our daughter graduate college and start her career, completing construction of a new home in Costa Rica and of course starting this year as President of EO Portland Chapter. I am really looking forward to digging in to my role in EO Portland and working with the board to optimize the value we all get from EO.

>What was your first job?
Picking blueberries — I think I made like $5 per day. I ate more than I saved.

>How do you see AI entering your field?
Our business is very high touch and requires human connection. We are in the business of helping large businesses go through major transitions. So it won't fundamentally change what we deliver. It will help accelerate some of the tasks like project plans, communications, building power points, and building training materials.

>What's a mistake you've made that became a major learning moment? 
I tried to hire multiple senior sales people through the years and found limited success and a lot of frustration. I should have embraced the role myself more and realized that no one can really sell like an owner/partner.

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Tim joined EO Portland in 2014. Interested in joining a community of business founders? This could be your year! Learn more.