The Power of People First: What Moved Me at Our Fund Manager Pitch Event
Conferences. Most think of name badges, rushed sessions, and useless logo pens. Ours? Not even close.
When both the attendees and the Havener Capital team came together at the StorySales Accelerator™ event in Newport, RI, something rare happened: No rushing, no small talk.
Just good food, s’mores by the fire, real conversation, and a sense that we were all in it together.
No stuffy conference rooms, awkward elevator pitches, or “next meeting” countdown clocks. Instead, we watched each other take the spotlight, sharing story-led pitches we’d spent weeks refining. Not competing, but actually cheering each other on.
We updated our LinkedIn pages, took new headshots, and left with more than better profiles. We left with clearer stories. It was about showing up as people first, professionals second. And realizing that’s where the best work actually begins.
The Industry Norm: Numbers First, Connection Later
In finance, we love our numbers. We love data and metrics, and our dashboards that make us feel in control.
It’s the language of the industry.
But sometimes, it feels like we’ve built an entire system around what’s easy to measure instead of what truly matters. We talk about “relationships,” but spend more time refining pitch decks than listening.
Hey, I’ve been there…
It’s not because of bad intentions. It’s just habit. The way things have always been done.
A friend once joked that investor events can feel like “speed dating for spreadsheets.” You sit across from someone, trade performance stats, and try to make a lasting impression before the timer goes off.
But here’s the irony: We're in the business of people’s money, yet we often forget the people part.
Newport changed that. It reminded me, my team, and everyone there (fund managers and allocators alike) why connection has always been the real edge.
Because connection builds trust, and trust is the foundation for everything else we do.
Forget The Pitch, Find The Point
10 boutique fund managers came to pitch to two panels of allocators. But what they ended up doing was much bigger. They traded pitch decks for purpose. The traditional “spray and pray” approach was out the window.
In its place came authentic conversations. Real eye contact. Nerves. Breakthroughs. Laughter.
Instead of racing through slides, they slowed down and shared what drives them. The why behind their work. And the allocators noticed.
During the panel, the feedback was refreshingly human:
Don’t throw the kitchen sink at us.
Do your research.
Have a point of view.
And everyone’s favorite: Don’t be an a**hole. (Should we make that a T-shirt?)
These weren’t just tips. They were reminders that connection is the true differentiator.
Allocators didn’t leave talking about IRRs or performance spreads. They talked about who made them feel something. The stories that stayed with them long after the final pitch.
There were hugs instead of handshakes. Laughter instead of jargon. And yes, a little dancing because sometimes the way to shake off fear is to literally shake it off.
As I said to everyone during the event: Adding fun doesn’t dilute the work. It amplifies the humans behind it.
That’s the story Newport told us. And we were all better for it.
You Can’t Spreadsheet Trust
Here’s the truth: Allocators don’t invest in pitch decks. They invest in people. You can’t spreadsheet trust.
Two funds can have the same performance track record, the same benchmarks, even the same bullet points.
One gets the allocation. The other doesn’t.
Why? Because the winning firm built a connection.
This isn’t fluff. It’s behavioral science. People justify decisions with data, but they make them with emotion.
They’re looking for alignment: in values, philosophy, and purpose. Those shared values are the foundation of trust.
When you lead with humanity, when your story makes someone feel something, you give them a reason to believe. That’s what our work at Havener Capital Partners is built on.
We help boutique fund managers grow not by shouting louder, but by connecting deeper and turning facts into feelings. Because numbers might tell the story of what you’ve done, but connection is what makes someone want to join you for what’s next.
As I like to say: Facts tell. Stories sell.
Fun Is a Growth Strategy
Somewhere along the way, “professional” started to mean “serious.” But here’s the thing: joy and professionalism aren’t opposites. They’re allies.
Fun doesn’t make your work frivolous. It makes your work memorable.
That’s what the dance circle in Newport was about. Not a gimmick. A reminder that joy is magnetic.
If you can’t tell… this is my “someone just nailed their story dance.”
When people are laughing, they’re connecting. When they’re connecting, they’re learning. And when they’re learning, the whole industry gets better.
We work in finance, and yes, it’s serious business. But we’re also humans helping other humans make meaningful decisions about their lives, legacies, and futures.
So, laugh more. Celebrate more. Play your favorite song between meetings if you need to.
It’s okay to have fun! It’s okay to laugh! (I swear)
That’s not just a feel-good sentiment. It’s a growth strategy. When you show up as your authentic self, whether that’s in what you wear or how you lead, a true connection follows.
Real Takeaways For Founders + Fund Managers
Here’s what I’d tell every boutique fund manager who couldn’t be in Newport: The real takeaways weren’t just notes from the allocator panel. They were lessons in how to connect.
Lead with connection, not credentials.
Before you start pitching, ask about their world. Curiosity is magnetic.Research before you reach out.
If you don’t know who they are or what they value, you can’t build trust. (Bonus: it shows respect.)Bring a point of view.
Allocators can smell a script from a mile away. Confidence is compelling. Rehearsal isn’t.Remember the humans behind the capital.
Allocators invest in people who make them feel safe, seen, and inspired.And finally: don’t be an a**hole.
A line so good it deserves to be embroidered on every conference badge.
The common thread through all five? Connection. Authenticity. Empathy. Those are your differentiators, not your performance charts. Because connection builds trust, and trust drives everything else.
What Newport Really Taught Us
When I close my eyes and think about Newport, I don’t see the pitch decks.
I see old and new friends. Shared laughter. Shared hugs.
No one was pitching perfection. They were sharing a purpose. And that’s the heart of what we do, and what this industry sometimes forgets.
Connection isn’t soft. It’s strategic, builds trust, and accelerates growth. And makes the serious work we do a little more joyful along the way.
In a world where everyone’s chasing alpha, the real edge is authenticity. Because at the end of the day, numbers can impress, but people connect.
So if you want to grow your firm, your story, your career… start with connection.
Build the kind of relationships that make people feel something. Because in a sea of numbers, performance charts, and polished slides, the thing people remember most is how you made them feel.
Curious how storytelling can actually move your business?
