Billion Dollar Backstory

99% of fund managers are doing social media wrong. Stale and stagnate. Nobody wants that. How do you get to the 1% that stops the scroll? Put some fun back in your fund game.  Today, Samantha Russell is coming on the show to teach you how to do just that.  Not only has Samantha been named an investment news 40 under 40, a Think Advisor Luminary, and one of the top 10 individuals to watch in wealth management but she’s also holds the role of chief evangelist in a highly successful marketing agency serving a whopping 40,000 clients. In this episode, Samantha and Stacy discuss:   ·       Her backstory, from bootstrapping with a nonexistent marketing budget to exit·       Tips for leveraging stories in your marketing to ramp up sales·       The key to mastering feel-good authenticity online, in sales conversations, and beyond …and so much more! Authenticity isn’t always easy in a performance obsessed industry, but Samantha’s got you covered. Grab your headphones and get ready to learn from the best.  - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership

Break the ice in style.Ever walk into a meeting with analysts who seem more like untouchable statuses than people? This episode of Story Snacks makes it easier to break the ice, ease the tension, and get even the most reserved analysts to open up.You can be the “hype man” (or woman) of your meetings and set the tone for success. Here’s how: Embrace your inner hype man or woman to warm up the room and set a positive toneMinimize awkwardness by acknowledging the environmentLeverage the power of observation to show them you care and pay attention to more than just the dealPlus, Stacy will channel her own inner hype woman to give you the confidence you need to lead great meetings. This is Story Snacks! A bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in less than 20 minutes per week!  - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership

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.Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: 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 - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership

Great with numbers but suck at storytelling? No worries.On this episode of Story Snacks, we’re helping sales and marketing teams step up, take the reins, and make sure everyone in the room looks like a rockstar–especially when the fund manager isn’t a natural storyteller. Listen in as Stacey covers: How acknowledging that not everyone is a natural born storyteller is perfectly fine How sales and marketing pros can take an active role in meetings to ensure the fund manager shinesTips to steer fund managers back on track–without creating awkwardnessUnique cases like turning unconventional communication styles into winning strategiesA fund manager’s lack of storytelling skills isn’t a deal-breaker. It’s an opportunity for sales and marketing teams to step up, orchestrate the conversation, and make the entire team shine.This is Story Snacks! A bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in less than 20 minutes per week! - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership

1:1 meeting turned into a 10-person panel? Don’t freak out.This episode of Story Snacks is your go-to guide for managing meetings when the room (or Zoom) is packed.Stacy covers how to maintain control, keep the conversation flowing naturally, and avoid dreaded awkward silences.Listen in to learn more about: Preparing like a proIdentifying your meeting’s “Champion”Managing complex dynamics to encourage collaborationSetting the tone, addressing the elephant in the room, and lightening the moodLearn to take control of the crowd without losing your personal touch. Sometimes, it’s all about preparation, communication, and sometimes even a bit of humor to navigate inevitable awkwardness.This is Story Snacks! A bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in less than 20 minutes per week!  - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership

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 Stacy 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 - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership

Can you have different stories for different strategies?What about brand stories for each niche? This episode of Story Snacks dives into the nuances of crafting job stories that fit distinct strategies and market segments.Stacy breaks down why one size doesn’t fit all, and how you can tailor your narrative for maximum impact.This is Story Snacks! A bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in less than 20 minutes per week!  - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership

The perfect voicemail is calling…it’ll make you wish you picked up! Voicemail is one of the most powerful tools to keep in your prospecting arsenal, and if you aren’t convinced, this episode of Story Snacks might change your mind.Stacy is cracking open the secrets to leaving a voicemail that grabs attention and actually gets you a call back.You’ll learn: The job and goal of a voicemail–how should VM work for you?How to warm up your call, including pre-work to help you closeHow to be smart, be cool, and better yet…be bothTips to avoid big mistakes, like info spilling or centering yourselfVoicemail might not be the latest tech, but it’s far from dead. When done right, this game-changing tactic will help you show up and be heard. This is Story Snacks! A bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in less than 20 minutes per week!  - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership

Dan Mikulskis, a seasoned consultant for wealth managers and pension funds, discusses bridging communication gaps between fund managers and allocators. He emphasizes the power of authentic storytelling and the necessity for fund managers to differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape. The conversation also touches on personal inspirations from travel and literature, including Andre Agassi's autobiography. Dan urges industry professionals to embrace their unique narratives, which can lead to stronger connections and successful capital raising strategies.

Want to tell your story in a way that connects to your future vision? Stop worrying that niching down might box you in. In this episode, Stacy helps you weave your past into your present and future to make sure your story resonates. Plus, let’s debunk myths around niching down–hint: it doesn’t mean saying no to great opportunities. Tune in to hear Stacy talk about: Why it’s essential to connect your backstory to your future goals–no more “here I am” endingsPositioning yourself as the guide your audience needs, and connecting your journey to their goalsBusting myths about niching–why it doesn’t limit you but sharpens your messageThis is Story Snacks! A bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in less than 20 minutes per week!  - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital’s exclusive membership