When we sit down with management, what we’re looking for is their enthusiasm. What’s their vision of the business model? What’s the culture like at the firm? How are they dealing with difficulties? Is it hard to hire and retain top talent— a tight labor market?   What’s is it like on the floor of the manufacturing facility? Is this different than the last time we sat with them?

I think it would be comforting for people to say we had massive files and reports — but that’s not how we do it.

With our clients and prospective clients, I communicate the investment decisions and strategy – I describe what’s happening at the company level, the portfolio level.

We go back and recount for people, ‘this is the step we took, this is why, and this is what we’re doing now.’ That is where you build trust. Being honest and straightforward. If we made a mistake, I’m going to tell you we made a mistake.

I think we’re good at being able to see the real picture.  There’s a trust—we’ve been here before. We’re not basing it on what the rest of the world sees.

The people here are genuine in their artistry. In every single business, there’s art. It’s dangerous to say there is art in financial management, because people think you’re leaving it up to chance. But these genuine characters on our investment team, they have that element, that artistry. There are times when I say, ‘Wow, that is just not normal thinking.” But that kind of thinking— it’s essential for an entrepreneur to think like that.

“I think we’re good at being able to see the real picture.  There’s a trust—I’ve been here before. “

Everyone wants to think that we know something no one else does. We’re not afraid, that’s one thing. But to be very simple, revenue growth is the purest form of demand least obliterated by accounting measures. You follow the revenues. That’s our north star. No great investment for 10-20 years is a linear experience. That’s why you elongate your perspective. And that’s why we’re patient. We allow things time.

I travel to experience culture outside of my comfort zone, normally to places with exceptional food and wines.

My love of wine, usually old world, is a source of constant education and experimentation. I have aspirations of building wine cellars for friends and family, along with spreadsheets that keep track of maturity and increasing value.

My parents divorced so growing up I split my time between the North Bay Area and Montana. Now I live on Phinney Ridge, south of the Woodland Park Zoo. I love my hood.