Billion Dollar Backstory

Here’s the deal: stories sell. Powerful narratives lead to big investments. They also lead to something far less flashy yet far more valuable long-term – team buy-in. Whether you’re a start-up or scaling, your origin story is the glue that binds your allies - AKA your team - to your mission. It’s also the magnet that attracts investors. A stale story just won’t cut it. Today, Dr. Daniel Crosby and I are joining forces (again) because successful sales and scale are about combining art and science. We’re excited to bring you a deep dive on the art of a good story.Listen in as I take the hot seat and answer all of your burning questions about what makes a powerful narrative in financial services. Get ready for a deep dive on: Why villains aren’t just for the movies – how weaving one into your backstory could take it from snoozefest to a relatable, magnetic movement Real-life examples of companies with juicy hooks and villains and why they work Product-driven versus narrative driven - what's the difference?…and so much more. You never know exactly what you’re going to get when a scientist and a storyteller walk into a bar, but you know you’ll laugh and gain (proven) strategies that marry the left brain and right brain, giving you an edge in your industry. About Dr. Daniel CrosbyDr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times bestselling author who helps organizations understand the intersection of mind and markets. He is also a father of 3, a fanatical follower of the St. Louis Cardinals, an explorer of the American South, and an amateur hot sauce chef. Resources mentioned in this episode:Books: Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, The Laws of Wealth: Psychology and the Secret to Investing Success, Principles: Life and Work ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

How did Gary Tenkman go from a first-generation college graduate who felt like a fish out of water in finance to CEO of Ultimus Fund Solutions, a $475+ AUI award-winning fund? It sure wasn’t easy. It took grit. It took being willing to get uncomfortable, fail, and learn (rinse, repeat). Grab your headphones and get ready for a backstory chock-full of lessons from places you’d least expect. Listen in as Gary discusses: – His backstory — from first-generation college student paying his own way to rocking the CEO seat – The importance of being willing to get uncomfortable, fail, and learn (rinse, repeat)– What it looks like to be an introvert in a very forward-facing CEO role – How being an introvert is one of the things that makes him a great leader – The power of strategic scaling – why he considers culture first and profit second when considering acquisitions More about Gary Tenkman: Gary Tenkman is Chief Executive Officer of Ultimus Fund Solutions, the largest independent registered fund administrator and one of the largest private fund administrators in the U.S.  As CEO, Gary works closely with the Ultimus executive team and board members with responsibility for providing strategic growth, financial, and operational leadership for Ultimus and its over 900 employees. Gary has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He joined Ultimus in 2014 as COO and was named CEO in 2019. Gary currently also serves on the Board of Governors for the Investment Company Institute.Want More Help With Storytelling?  +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe  Resources mentioned in this episode:Books: Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager, Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong about the World--And Why Things Are Better Than You Think ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

The role of Andrew Williams and Ben Arnold of Schroders Value Equities team - a team responsible for £14B+ - extends beyond managing assets; it involves fostering relationships built on trust and steering clients away from performance-driven decision-making.  In this episode, they discuss:  A period of underperformance and the heartbreaking trend of talented value investors giving upThe damaging consequences of short-term focus and the chaotic rollercoaster of hot money inflows and outflowsWhat it's really like to be a specialist within a large organization The best part? They’re also providing practical examples of how their team infuses personality and human connection into each transaction – challenging the notion that quant is king.  Tune in now and prepare to be schooled on the power of human connection and radical honesty in the investment world.  More About Andrew Williams: Andrew Williams is an Investment Director on the Schroder Global Value Team. As a founding member of the team, Andrew has played a key role in developing the team’s business and product strategy. Andrew's responsibilities include client communications, commercial strategy, product marketing materials, competitor analysis, and Investment Product Team management. Andrew joined Schroders in 2010, initially working in the Investment Communications team with a focus on UK equities. Prior to joining Schroders, he served as an analyst at an independent capital markets research firm. Andrew holds a CFA certificate in Investment Management (IMC) and earned a degree in Economics and Politics from the University of the West of England. Andrew lives in London with his wife and 2 children, who keep him very busy when he isn’t in the office! More About Ben Arnold: Ben Arnold is an Investment Director on the Schroder Global Value Team. He joined the team in 2017, and Schroders in 2016 on the graduate training scheme. Prior to joining Schroders, Ben worked as an analyst in Institutional Banking for the Royal Bank of Scotland from 2012 to 2015. He holds the CFA Charter designation and has earned an MSc in Corporate Strategy and Governance from the University of Nottingham.  Want More Help With Storytelling?  +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe  Resources mentioned in this episode:BooksBen’s recommendation: Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard Andrew’s recommendation: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Songs Ben’s Rec: Kasabian – Fire Andrew’s Rec: Blur – Song Two ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

It's not every day that you get to sit down with a true industry visionary who has reshaped the landscape of asset management. But today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with the innovative force behind RadiantESG Global Investors – Heidi Ridley.  With over 30 years of expertise, Heidi’s captivating story will inspire you and challenge your perception of what's possible in the investment world. In this episode, Heidi shares: ●      Her backstory – from immigrating from Iran to co-founding an investment boutique investing in positive change●      The challenges and triumphs of launching her own firm amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the 2020 pandemic ●      Why she is a firm believer in embracing innovation, defying an industry that resists change ●      Why qualitative and quantitative both play a role in investing●      How ESG and sustainability are the keys to future growth Most importantly, you’ll hear about the brave step Heidi took to stop toning herself down to “fit in” in the finance world and how revealing her glorious, outspoken, caring personality allowed her to forge deep relationships and flourish as a team leader.  Get your headphones on and brace yourself for a conversation that will revolutionize your perception of authentic leadership.More About Heidi Ridley Heidi is the Co-Founder, CEO and Chair of the Board of RadiantESG Global Investors,culminating 30 years of leadership in asset management roles that encompass business management, investments, product development, institutional and intermediary business development and marketing. She has extensive experience leading and motivating diverse teams globally. Want More Help With Storytelling?  +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe  Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Open: An AutobiographySong: Legendary by Welshly Arms  ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

This is the first of a 4-part miniseries with Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion and host of Standard Deviations podcast. We are joining forces because selling successfully requires combining art and science. Right brain and left brain.  In this episode, Dr. Daniel Crosby and I discuss 3 behavioral biases:Mere Exposure Effect: our tendency to develop preferences for things simply because we are familiar with themLoss-Aversion Bias: a cognitive bias that describes why the pain of losing is psychologically twice as powerful as the pleasure of gainingStatus Quo Bias / Inertia: aversion to changeAbout Dr. Daniel Crosby Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times bestselling author who helps organizations understand the intersection of mind and markets. He is also a father of 3, a fanatical follower of the St. Louis Cardinals, an explorer of the American South, and an amateur hot sauce chef. Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: The Behavioral InvestorBook: AlchemyWant more help with sales and storytelling? +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth: https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe  ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

Join me for an inspiring talk with Heather Fortner of SignatureFD, a $6B+ RIA in Atlanta. She joined SigFD as a client service associate 20 years ago when they had $250 mm. Now as the CEO and Chair of the Board, she is leading the firm to $10B by 2025. In this episode, Heather and I discuss:Her backstory and the key traits that gave her the ability to adapt and succeed — from a surgical intern to CEO of a $6B+ RIAThe importance of failing (hope you don’t want Heather to bake you cookies!)How surrounding herself with a trustworthy circle allowed her to stand authentically in the face of adversityWhy specialists and niches are the future of wealth advisoryA culture of humans first, profit secondHow financially healthy families create generational impact and healthy communitiesMore About Heather FortnerHeather was awarded CEO of the Year by Wealth Management Magazine in 2021 and Most Admired CEO by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2022. In 2023, she was selected to the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2023 and named to the Titan 100 List. As a longstanding advocate of DEI initiatives, Heather has helped SignatureFD achieve a 90% female executive leadership team. Heather is recognized as a thought leader, writer, and speaker, and also has extensive board experience, currently serving on the Fidelity RIA Leader’s Council, the Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions Panel, and the Advisory Board for Mammoth Investors.Want More Help With Storytelling?  +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth: https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe  ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

In this episode I discuss: Why different is better than better (even in the investment industry where we love to rank and chart errrthing) If you want to lean into what makes you different, you need to go to the edges. You need to get radical.  The Bain study that reveals: 80% of executives think their company's offerings are differentiated but only 10% of their customers agree How to create a category of one What differentiation is and what it is not Why you must be brave enough to attract and repel  Want More Help With Storytelling? +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth: https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe + To get more storytelling help and listen to stories of the people behind the portfolios, subscribe to Billion Dollar Backstory on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

Bob Dorsey is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Ultimus Fund Solutions. In this episode, Bob and I discuss:His backstory: from butcher markets to financial marketsWhy FinTech is a people business How the root of solving problems doesn’t differ based on your industryHow to keep a “people first” culture as you scaleAn important lesson he learned about complacency from an old TV commercialAdvice for people who are contemplating an angel investment venture or private equityMore About Bob DorseyBob has over 35 years of mutual fund industry experience. Prior to co-founding Ultimus in 1999, he was President of Countrywide Fund Services, Inc. (formerly MGF Service Corp.), a registered transfer agent and mutual fund service provider. Prior to Countrywide, Bob was the Assistant Controller and Tax Manager at Carlisle Enterprises, Inc. He began his career in the tax department of Arthur Andersen’s Cincinnati office. He is a graduate of Christian Brothers University and a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive).Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life by John O’Leary ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

As Managing Director and Head of UniFi by CAIA™, Aaron Filbeck oversees content and product strategy for the UniFi by CAIA™ Program. In this episode, Aaron and I discuss:His backstory: from wanting to be an architect to becoming a Director at CAIAWhy the world needs an association like CAIA / Who CAIA is forCAIA’s research on qualitative vs quantitative due diligence (AKA culture eats Sharpe ratio for breakfast)Why allocators and asset managers fail to communicateThe key questions managers can ask to identify their own differentiatorsHow the alt space has expanded from just hedge funds to many other types of strategiesWhy the fascination with 60/40 allocation is misguidedMore About Aaron FilbeckAaron’s work has been published by Oxford University Press and The Journal of Investing, and covers topics such as ESG/sustainable investing, liquid alternatives, commodities, and asset pricing/factor investing. He is a frequent writer and speaker on these topics. Aaron is also an adjunct professor and serves on multiple advisory boards for Penn State University.Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

UK’s award-winning fund manager Simon Evan-Cook was a senior member of the Premier Miton Multi Asset team, which managed over $5B. He’s now establishing the Downing Fox Fund Range at Downing LLP in London. In this episode, Simon and I discuss:His backstory: from taking a load of jobs he disliked to discovering a love for writing, which brought him to the investment industryWhy the world would need another fund, let alone a fund of fundsThe power of nicheWhy you must be disagreeable to excelWhat role qualitative plays in his research processHis flexibly dogmatic approach to assessing a fundProof that authenticity works in asset managementAdvice for boutiques on their journeyMore About Simon Evan-CookSimon also writes on investment (and beyond), including a monthly column for Citywire Magazine and his investment blog on Medium.com. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and dog, devouring movies and books, and superficially damaging European golf courses. Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Any Human Heart by William BoydBook: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David EpsteinArticle: Investors: The one thing separating excellent from competentArticle: Should you invest with Han Solo or C-3PO?Article: Should you invest with Indiana Jones?Article: Should you invest with Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap