If you’re still following the traditional sales funnel framework in 2026, your firm’s growth is sure to stall.

Because the “inverted triangle” view of a funnel is oversimplified, and it’s starting to feel like the fundraising version of that tired investment process slide that makes everyone want to poke their eyes out.

It flops because not everyone in your funnel needs the same thing, and “just checking in” isn’t a follow-up strategy that actually moves people forward.

That’s why in this episode, Stacy’s breaking down what actually works to keep your funnel healthy.

Listen in to learn:

• Why the funnel isn’t a simple inverted triangle (and what it really looks like in practice)
• What people at the top, middle, and bottom of the funnel actually need from you
• The real job of the middle of the funnel (and why most teams ignore it)
• Why filling the top of the funnel is harder than closing deals
• Creative ways to get in front of new prospects (without spammy outreach)
• Why LinkedIn works so well for this when you share the right kind of content

This is Story Snacks, a bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in under 20 minutes a week.

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Running a fund is hard enough.
Ops shouldn’t be.
Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus

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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 thought you nailed the meeting. The conversation went well, heads were nodding, and everyone seemed engaged. Then you followed up with a thoughtful email and… crickets.

Or maybe you got hit with the four words every fund manager dreads hearing: "We’ll watch you."

Most people take either of those as signals to retreat and move on. But what if they're actually something else entirely?

In this episode, Stacy explains why hearing "no" (or radio silence) doesn't always mean your deal is dead.

She's also sharing the high school soccer philosophy that changed how she handles rejection in sales, plus the exact move that turned a "we'll watch you" into a $50 million yes.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What "maybe" really means and why it's probably not what you think
• How to spark the honest conversation that could actually save the deal
• A meeting-prep strategy that helps you avoid ghosting before it ever happens

This is Story Snacks, a bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in under 20 minutes a 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 made it to the final investor meeting again. You were sure this one was yours because your pitch was on point (no surprise, given that you rehearsed every line).

But still... no deal.

What gives? Why are you always the bridesmaid but never the bride?

In this episode, Stacy is breaking down why so many fund managers find themselves stuck in this frustrating loop.

Listen in to learn:

• Why trying to win allocators over in the last round is a losing game

• The kind of meeting prep that actually pays off (hint: it doesn’t involve you rehearsing lines for hours in the mirror)

• How to make your message land without over-explaining and putting everyone in the room to sleep

• Why the final few minutes of your meeting are crucial and the secret sauce to standing out with your closing

This is Story Snacks, a bite-sized, jam-packed series for fund managers who are ready to master strategic storytelling in under 20 minutes a 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