Dear Friends and Clients, 

I know it’s obnoxious to put a big ad of yourself in the introductory comments, but I’m hoping it captured your attention. I’m sharing it because it’s a new print advertisement in which I am featured, along with a sentiment that speaks to the core of our firm. This month, we celebrated our 19th birthday as an organization, a milestone that has been possible because of your unwavering support and trust. It’s a journey that got me thinking about our shared growth and success.

When we contemplated starting Hill Investment Group 20 years ago, our primary question was: What would it be like if we went back to the basics and focused on fewer clients and deeper relationships? Tom Cruise asked the same question in his Academy-nominated performance as Jerry McGuire (here is Jerry’s Mission Statement).

I’m unsure how Jerry’s next twenty years worked out, but the answer has been a steady path of progress and prosperity for us. We’ve built lasting relationships and guided our clients through various market cycles by prioritizing personalized service and evidence-based investing. This is what started us and is who we are today. Your trust and support in taking the long view have been integral to our success.

Here’s to many more years of focusing on what matters most!

Matt

During the summer months, we often recommend books we are reading in the offices of Hill Investment Group. This year, we decided to steer you to a podcast we enjoy; some episodes are almost as long as an audiobook. If you’re reading this, you, like us, believe in the power of a long-term perspective, continuous learning, and evidence-based decision-making. These core principles guide our investment strategies and resonate with the themes explored in the extraordinary podcast “Acquired.”

What is “Acquired”?

“Acquired” is a highly regarded podcast that dives into the stories behind some of history’s most significant companies and acquisitions. Hosts Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal provide in-depth analyses of how these companies were built, the strategic decisions they made, and the challenges they overcame. Each episode offers valuable insights into the entrepreneurial and business world, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of successful companies.

Themes from “Acquired” that Resonate with Hill Investment Group

• Long-Term Perspective:

Episode Highlight: In the episode covering Amazon, “Acquired” explores Jeff Bezos’ long-term vision and his relentless focus on customer experience, illustrating how patience and strategic planning can lead to enduring success.

Hill’s Approach: Similarly, we at Hill Investment Group emphasize the importance of taking the long view. We believe patient, disciplined investing, guided by enduring principles rather than short-term market trends, is key to building sustainable wealth.

• Evidence-Based Decisions:

Episode Highlight: The episode on Whole Foods’ acquisition by Amazon underscores the significance of data-driven decisions. Bezos’ use of extensive market research and analytics to guide Amazon’s strategies reflects the power of evidence-based decision-making.

Hill’s Approach: Our investment strategies are grounded in Nobel Prize-winning academic research, ensuring our clients benefit from the most reliable financial principles.

• Resilience and Adaptability:

Episode Highlight: The story of Apple’s turnaround under Steve Jobs, as discussed on “Acquired,” showcases the company’s ability to innovate and adapt in the face of adversity.

Hill’s Approach: We prepare our clients to navigate market volatility through diversified portfolios and robust financial planning, helping them stay resilient and focused on their long-term goals.

• Continuous Learning:

Episode Highlight: Each “Acquired” episode is a business history and strategy masterclass that provides listeners with knowledge and insights.

Hill’s Approach: We believe in lifelong learning and continuous improvement. Our team regularly engages with the latest industry developments to ensure we provide our clients with the best possible advice and service.

We encourage you to explore the “Acquired” podcast to gain deeper insights into the principles that drive successful businesses. Let’s continue to embrace the long view, grounded in evidence-based principles and enriched by continuous learning.

Take the long view,

The Hill Investment Group Team

Our favorite episodes include Starbucks, Hermes, Porsche, Costco, and Nike.

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Feel free to listen to “Acquired” and join us in exploring the fascinating stories behind the world’s most successful companies. 

Dear Clients and Friends,

At Hill Investment Group, we believe change is inevitable and essential for growth. Like nature’s evolution, we see change as an opportunity to enhance and sharpen our commitment to you.

We are excited to share some significant updates:

A New Home for Our St. Louis Office

As mentioned in our prior newsletter, we are moving our St. Louis office to a new, handsome location. This space will better serve our team and, ultimately, you, fostering greater collaboration and innovation. We are officially out of the space that served us well for nineteen years, and the St. Louis team will be working remotely or on a communal floor in the new Plaza building.

*Did you know our 14 team members are currently spread between Austin, Houston, Nashville, St. Louis, and New York?

Welcoming Matt Zenz as a New Partner 

As you’ll read below, we are delighted to welcome Matt Zenz as our newest partner. His dedication and expertise align perfectly with our evidence-based approach, strengthening our leadership team. Matt is the kind of person you want on your side (see his Picking up Pennies series on our site to know precisely what I mean.)

Commitment to Our Boutique Approach

While embracing these changes, we remain committed to staying small and boutique in size. This allows us to deliver the best evidence-based value in the independent RIA world, ensuring your unique needs are our top priority. Please hold us accountable if you ever see something that could be improved. Our team is fiercely committed to improving every day as we strive to be known as one of the country’s premier boutique, evidence-based advisors!

Thank you for being a part of our journey and for your continued trust and support.

Take the long view,

Matt Hall

Hill Investment Group