All About Tim Seims

I remember seeing my dad come home from construction work tired and covered in drywall dust. NOT what I wanted for a career.

 

As a freshman at Bellingham High, dad got sick so my older brother and I got jobs. At first, I was hired by a family friend named Betty - she had a furniture refinishing business but also was elderly and had rheumatoid arthritis. She taught me so much about finishes, repair and restoration. When she passed away, my brother got me a job at a Birch Equipment, a heavy construction equipment rental company.

 

Thought I'd hate it but it was AMAZING. The managers were so patient. They taught me maintenance and operation. I once accidentally smashed a truck with a front-end loader and the GM, Ron Barter, said "I guess we'll chalk this up to experience." 
 

After high school, my uncle Martin invited me to help with disaster relief construction work after Hurricane Iniki. This opened my eyes to the immediate human impact construction skills can make. As time went on, I became hyper-aware of the need for more durable housing in general, as well as basic shelter for displaced people. In fact, I still enjoy the privilege of volunteer construction assignments (plus it keeps my skills sharp!)

 

During this time, I found myself working with very patient managers and mentors. They taught me every phase of construction: dirt work, concrete walls, flatwork, architectural concrete, wood and steel framing, roofing, siding, finish carpentry, cabinetry, countertops, commercial doors and storefronts, fire & water damage, dock-building, and so much more. This helped me test out and become a Journeyman Carpenter with THE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS

AND JOINERS OF AMERICA.

 

After a decade as a trades professional, in 1997 Bob Schulz at Bellingham Sash & Door (which later became Builders Alliance before being bought by Kodiak) gave me an chance in building material sales. I was the county's first outside salesperson, initially for Bellingham Sash & Door and later at BB Lumber.

 

Along the way, I became more known as the go-to person for fiber cement siding. It wasn't just me. I had great support, namely Julie, Sam, Barry, Sheri, and the owner Wayne. As a result, I was recruited by James Hardie. After several successful years there, Nichiha came calling. There I started the Hospitality and Modular-Offsite Strategic Segments.

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I again found myself well supported in these new business unit efforts. Along the way, a framework started to emerge: my mantra became "Easy to Buy, and Easy to Sell", something I still promote.

 

One big example of this framework was the implementation of new digital marketing and web-based estimating tools to improve the Customer Experience. At the same time, I enjoyed working closely with the team in Japan and the commercial and residential Prefab Offsite customers to develop even more future processes, products, and people - all focused on pushing adoption, innovation, customer experience, and "Easy to Buy, Easy to Sell."

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Most recently, I worked with John Burns Real Estate Consulting as Director of Building Products Intelligence, providing uncommon perspective, cutting-edge research, and distilled industry thought. I worked a lot with Building Product Manufacturers and Lumber Suppliers as well as Mass Timber,  Modular, Prefab, and Components Manufacturers. A nice surprise, I often found myself on calls with Private Equity folks too. 

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This broad and deep background gives me a unique viewpoint on the industry, providing the crucial "tactical empathy" author Chris Voss talks about. It’s really important to have empathy for every role and persona in this industry. When it is coming from a place of experience and not just knowledge, it creates powerful and long-lasting bonds.

 

This background allows me to build relationships on a foundation much stronger than simple transactions. I'm honored and humbled to have these relationships and contacts across the industry: building product manufacturers, lumber * building materials (LBM), mass timber and offsite-modular factories, General Contractors (Main Contractors), homebuilders, architects, interior designers, facade fabricators, mass timber companies, and more.

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If this is a space you're entering, are curious about, or need to get connected, check out the different ways I help clients grow their businesses in real terms.