Billion Dollar Backstory

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! ---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

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!  ---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 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 ---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

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!  ---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 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!  ---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

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!  ---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

You can ditch PowerPoint and still own the room. In fact, running a killer meeting is usually easier than the gurus and motivational speakers might tell you.  Whether you’re facing an allocator who insists on seeing the presentation beforehand or navigating an awkward silence before kick-off, Stacey’s got you covered.In this episode, Stacy covers: The right time to send your meeting notes or deck for optimum preparednessPreparing on a timeline that sets you up for successStarting with the allocator’s story to get them talkingSteering discussion to address key concernsTune in to flip the script on traditional meetings to lead with stories and listen thoroughly. Take your meetings to the next level with this episode. 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!  ---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

Let’s be real: boutique building is no walk in the park; it's a rollercoaster of gutsy moves and unexpected comebacks. Today, we’re sitting down with a guest who knows all about that. Meet Sean Peche, a value investing specialist who's transitioned from the $35B big leagues to crafting his own firm. In this episode, Sean and Stacy unpack: His Backstory – how a volatile market led him to put his boutique-building dream on hold His inspiring comeback story The secrets behind Sean's unique marketing playbook for differentiation.The philosophy that drives Sean's investing approach: 'numbers not narrative.'The sweet spot where numbers and narratives intersect, especially for startups. …And so much more. Grab your notebook and get ready for a masterclass on differentiation, branding, and building a boutique.  About Sean Peche: Sean holds a Bachelor of Business Science (Honours) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Cape Town and is a CFA® charterholder. Sean has more than 25 years of investment experience in global financial markets.  After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1996, Sean spent two years at Old Mutual Asset Management (South Africa) as an equity analyst. In 1999, he joined Decillion Capital as one of its founding members and co-managed the successful BigRock Fund, a South African based hedge fund. In 2001, he relocated to London with Decillion Fund Management and co-managed a US/European hedge Fund. In 2003, he joined London based Orbis Investment Advisory as an equity analyst, before leaving in 2008 to establish Ranmore Fund Management Ltd.Resources mentioned in this episode: Books: The JSE Handbook, The Zulu Principle by Jim Slater, The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz, Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols  Songs:  Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Kelly Clarkson - The Sun Will Rise  ---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

Your backstory isn’t as cut and dry as your resume, but It’s not quite a full look at your diary, either. If you want to craft a compelling backstory, you have to find the sweet spot between these two extremes. And that’s exactly what Stacy is walking you through in this episode. Listen in as she breaks down:How much should you share, and to what detail in your backstory? How far should your backstory actually go back?Exactly how vulnerable you need to get in order to truly connect with your prospects The simple framework that every compelling backstory follows 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!  ---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