Hill Investment Group prides itself on always having a team member, not a machine, answer our phones within two rings. We’ll never have an auto attendant answering system (during office hours) – but this means you will have to be placed on hold occasionally. Most hold music ranges from loud and irritating to the nonexistent ‘Is anyone still on the other end?’. 

You’ve likely been placed on hold at Hill Investment Group, and we try to make that experience as pleasant as possible. Whether it’s an interview clip with one of our team members or jazzy holiday tunes – we aim to entertain or educate you while we connect you. 

We’re excited to share our latest and coolest hold music, this time from one of our clients, Mr. Clint Willis. If, in 2016, you happened to be at the St. Louis launch party for Matt’s book Odds On:The Making of an Evidence-Based Investor, you might recall Clint’s soulful performance that served as a fantastic introduction (see photo). 

During a recent interaction, and because Clint is such a creative person – I couldn’t help but wonder if he could create a mellow tune for our friends to enjoy while they’re on hold – and boy did he deliver! We hope you’ll enjoy our latest hold tune the next time you call or by clicking play above!

Here at HIG, we are passionate about service and hospitality. What does this really mean for you and your financial life? Listen to John Reagan talk about it in this short message.

Building a restaurant and hospitality empire from the ground up doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the product of unwavering attention to detail complemented by a bold vision. That’s where Danny Meyer’s classic book comes in: Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business.

Restaurants have a notoriously high failure rate. By some estimates, more than half of new restaurants shutter before their fifth anniversary. When you’re a restaurateur, the odds are stacked against you—especially if you’re a novice. But what about the outliers? The mavens, the tastemakers who have the magic touch?

Enter Danny Meyer: St. Louis native, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, and founder of several restaurants including the beloved Shake Shack. At the age of 27, Meyer opened Union Square Cafe in New York City which became an instant hit. But he wanted to prove to himself that his success wasn’t a fluke–and it wasn’t. Today, Meyer has a portfolio of restaurants and is widely regarded as one of the most successful restaurateurs on the planet.

In his memoir-manifesto hybrid, Meyer illustrates the philosophy which he credits to his success: Enlightened Hospitality. “[Enlightened Hospitality] stands some more traditional business approaches on their head, but it’s the foundation of every business decision and every success we’ve had,” says Meyer.

Meyer’s writing is undeniably entertaining and intriguing, but what’s most impressive about the book is how easily it can be applied to industries outside of hospitality. Whether you’re managing a coffee shop or a publicly traded corporation, Meyer’s behind-the-scenes stories are guaranteed to equip you with priceless insights into leadership, creativity, and customer service.

At Hill Investment Group, we don’t limit our reading to books strictly about finance. In fact, some of the best Long View lessons we’ve learned come from stories completely unrelated to money. Now, thanks to Danny Meyer, we can add hospitality to that collection.