Portland A&O’s Peer-to-Peer Program provides a forum for local entrepreneurs and CEOs to come together and learn from each other, as well as from subject matter experts.
Now in it’s sixth year, this program is made up of six peer-to-peer sessions with a select group of small to medium sized firms takes place on a bi-monthly basis. Each of the six facilitated session focuses on topics that can range from accounting or HR best practices to maximizing your e-commerce potential.
This year’s program includes such companies as Moxie & Moss, North St Bags, House of Castellon, Ruckus Composites, Quartertwenty, VERO Watch Co, Flipside Hats and Wood and Faulk.
The third Peer to Peer session was held recently at Quartertwenty to discuss International Distribution with Peer to Peer alumni and subject matter expert, Michael Morrow of Nutcase Helmets.
With the program half way through it’s 2017-2018 year, we caught up with facilitator and owner of Product Product Werks, Sean Beers to learn more about the program…
Why did you get involved with the Peer to Peer program?
I saw a need to share best practices and real world experiences around very tangible aspects of the business which simply wasn’t being offered elsewhere and certainly not from a credible source.
What did you get out of the experience? What is the most rewarding/interesting part?
As much time as I spend teaching the classes, I probably learn more than I ever imagined I would. The diversity of the groups, both personally and the businesses, creates a very well rounded experience for everyone.
What aspects of the Portland and/or the Portland A&O community make this program rewarding/helpful?
There just happen to be a plethora of emerging companies in the consumer product space here in portland. The fact of the matter is that there are many more similarities than there are differences among these companies and the fact that we can tie them all together in a way that supports the individual entrepreneurs and the ecosystem generally is pretty unique and I think beneficial to all.
What advice would you give someone looking to participate in the Peer to Peer program?
If you run an emerging consumer product company then you owe it to yourself to take a closer look at what we are doing here. Regardless of how experienced or new you are to the industry there is substantive, thoughtful and impactful material that we cover and work hard to ensure all participants incorporate into their businesses.
