

Billion Dollar Backstory
Stacy Havener
Host Stacy Havener brings you the storytelling tips, sales strategies, behavioral secrets, and inspirational stories that help YOU turn your words into dollars. Learn from sales and marketing experts. Meet finance and investment leaders, founders and fund managers who have made it, and the ones on the rise. Because there are people behind the portfolios. Their stories matter. So does yours.
Presented by:
Ultimus Fund Solutions // www.ultimusfundsolutions.com
GemCap // www.geminicapital.ie
@stacyhavener // www.billiondollarbackstory.com
Presented by:
Ultimus Fund Solutions // www.ultimusfundsolutions.com
GemCap // www.geminicapital.ie
@stacyhavener // www.billiondollarbackstory.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 26, 2024 • 8min
62: Job and Brand Stories: One Size Fits All? | Story Snacks Series
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

Aug 23, 2024 • 8min
61: The Art of Leaving a Voicemail | Story Snacks Series
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

Aug 21, 2024 • 1h
60: Rewind | Dan Mikulskis on The State of Story in the Fund Industry | Why Fund Mgrs Need to Differentiate (For Real) | How Allocators Influence the Future for Boutiques
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.

Aug 19, 2024 • 7min
59: To Niche or Not to Niche | Story Snacks Series
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

Aug 16, 2024 • 8min
58: How to Lead A Meeting Without A Pitch Deck | Story Snacks Series
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

Aug 14, 2024 • 1h 5min
57: Rewind | Value Investing Specialist Sean Peche of Ranmore Funds on Building a Boutique After Years at $35B Bigs | How Boutiques Will Win with a Different Playbook (and LinkedIn Is In It) | Why Numbers and Narrative Can Vibe Together
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

Aug 12, 2024 • 6min
56: How Much Detail Does Your Backstory Really Need? | Story Snacks Series
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

Aug 9, 2024 • 9min
55: The Secret to Booking More Meetings with Investors | Story Snacks Series
Want to book more meetings for your fund? It’s time to face the music. Cold intro emails are out. A relationship-first approach is in. Take it from Stacy (and her clients at Havener Capital), who are using the exact strategy she’s laying out in this episode to book meetings with investors who are primed to say yes. Listen in as today as Stacy covers: How to find potential contacts Her “give, give, give, ask framework” for building relationships on LinkedIn and other platformsWhy timing is everything when it comes to nurturing prospects A rule of thumb that’ll help you find your follow-up sweet spot – so you don’t seem like a pushy spam bot 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

Aug 7, 2024 • 52min
54: Rewind | The Psychology of Sales w/ Dr. Daniel Crosby and Stacy Havener | The Scientist & The Storyteller | Why Typical Fund Managers Tell Terrible Stories (and How to Make Sure You Nail Your Narrative)
Dr. Daniel Crosby, a behavioral psychologist, is back and ready to tell you the cold, hard truth about why your brain might be sabotaging your storytelling game. Listen in as he and Stacy discuss: Why our brains cling to conformity, killing our chances of standing out Why linear stories put people to sleep and how mastering the ‘peak-end’ rule will help A sniff test that’ll help you determine if your story is snooze-worthyA roadmap for spicing up your narrative, even when your brain screams 'No!' …and so much more. About 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.
---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

Aug 5, 2024 • 7min
53: Why a Founder’s Backstory Matters–Even for Firms Managing Billions | Story Snacks Series
Introducing 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! Listen in today as Stacey answers every established firm’s burning question, “Who cares about the founder?” Plus, learn: Why a founder’s backstory matters–even for firms managing billionsHow to honor a founder’s legacy through storytellingWhy senior fund managers struggle to talk about founders–and how to overcome thisDifferent approaches for sharing stories about co-foundersStrategies to share the backstory in meetingsYou’ll walk away from this episode with a better understanding of how to leverage your firm’s and founder’s backstory to drive growth and develop a strategic narrative.
---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


