Billion Dollar Backstory: Recent Episodes
Stacy Havener
A podcast from Stacy Havener sharing stories of the people behind the portfolios. Stacy is the founder of Havener Capital and has raised over $8B that has led to $30B for investment boutiques... against the odds. How did she do this? Storytelling.
Tune in as she explores why storytelling works and interviews founders, portfolio managers, and investors who have launched, seeded, and scaled billion dollar businesses. She also shines the spotlight on emerging managers, the ones under the radar, but on the rise.
Discover strategies that can help you turn your stories into sales. Get actionable advice from experts that Stacy used to help investment startups raise billions while battling the odds herself as a female founder in a male-dominated industry.
Tune in for the inspo, stay for the stories, then go and tell yours.
Gloria Nelund saw that there’s an over a six trillion dollar gap in financing for businesses in developing economies and she said, “Hold my … coffee. I have a private credit firm to build.”
Her 10-year track record of making a difference through TriLinc without sacrificing profit proves that you don't have to give up investment returns to do good.
That’s why Stacy is thrilled to sit down with Gloria to discuss:
- Her backstory – how watching her father invest shaped her approach
- Her big pivot – why she quit her job in a matter of 24 hours to pursue more purpose
- Why qualitative due diligence is vital in ESG investing
- The power of authenticity in weathering market dips
You’ll walk away from this episode feeling inspired, knowing that it’s possible to garner massive success in the financial industry with heart.
More about Gloria:
Gloria, founder of TriLinc in 2008, boasts over 40 years of executive management experience in multi-billion-dollar financial institutions. Formerly the CEO of Deutsche Bank's U.S. Private Wealth Management Division, she held fiduciary responsibility for over $50 billion in assets, including $20 billion in emerging markets and credit instruments. At TriLinc, Gloria leads high-level strategy and growth initiatives, leveraging her deep expertise in investment product creation, sales, and distribution.
Apart from her impressive professional career, Gloria has a fun and adventurous side. She absolutely loves water activities like jumping, diving, and flipping off objects into the water.
Thank you to our Billion Dollar Backstory podcast sponsor: Ultimus Fund Solutions.
You want to launch an interval fund (but don’t know where to start).
Ultimus has your back. Their in-depth guide answers your real questions.
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.
More About Samantha Russell:
Samantha Russell is the Chief Evangelist at FMG, an all-in-one marketing platform that helps more than 40,000 financial advisors and insurance agents attract new leads, stay connected with clients and grow their businesses.
In her role at FMG, Samantha teaches financial advisors how to utilize digital marketing strategies to produce exponential growth through website development, content marketing, SEO, social media, and video.
Thank you to our Billion Dollar Backstory podcast sponsor: Ultimus Fund Solutions.
You want to launch an interval fund (but don’t know where to start).
Ultimus has your back. Their in-depth guide answers your real questions.
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
Thank you to our Billion Dollar Backstory podcast sponsor: Ultimus Fund Solutions.
You want to launch an interval fund (but don’t know where to start).
Ultimus has your back. Their in-depth guide answers your real questions.
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
Thank you to our Billion Dollar Backstory podcast sponsor: Ultimus Fund Solutions.
You want to launch an interval fund (but don’t know where to start).
Ultimus has your back. Their in-depth guide answers your real questions.
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 up
- The damaging consequences of short-term focus and the chaotic rollercoaster of hot money inflows and outflows
- What 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 is 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:
Books
Ben’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
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 RidleyHeidi 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 Autobiography
Song: Legendary by Welshly Arms
Thank you to our Billion Dollar Backstory podcast sponsor: Ultimus Fund Solutions.
You want to launch an interval fund (but don’t know where to start).
Ultimus has your back. Their in-depth guide answers your real questions.
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 them
- Loss-Aversion Bias: a cognitive bias that describes why the pain of losing is psychologically twice as powerful as the pleasure of gaining
- Status Quo Bias / Inertia: aversion to change
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:
Book: The Behavioral Investor
Book: Alchemy
Want 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
Thank you to our Billion Dollar Backstory podcast sponsor: Ultimus Fund Solutions.
You want to launch an interval fund (but don’t know where to start).
Ultimus has your back. Their in-depth guide answers your real questions.
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+ RIA
- The 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 adversity
- Why specialists and niches are the future of wealth advisory
- A culture of humans first, profit second
- How financially healthy families create generational impact and healthy communities
More About Heather Fortner
Heather 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
Thank you to our Billion Dollar Backstory podcast sponsor: Ultimus Fund Solutions.
You want to launch an interval fund (but don’t know where to start).
Ultimus has your back. Their in-depth guide answers your real questions.
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.
Thank you to our Billion Dollar Backstory podcast sponsor: Ultimus Fund Solutions.
You want to launch an interval fund (but don’t know where to start).
Ultimus has your back. Their in-depth guide answers your real questions.