36 minute read
TODD RUPPERT A Visionary Impact Investor with a Passion for the Arts
TODD RUPPERT
A Visionary Impact Investor with a Passion for the Arts
In business school, there are countless case studies about the first mover’s advantage, which in hindsight proves the theory to be true. But what you don’t learn is the how and why, and what is behind the founder’s passion and vision to put them on a trajectory for success. This ability to recognize the potential of the market opportunities and identify the future first movers is an innate talent that serial startup investor Todd Ruppert possesses. With over 40 years of experience in the financial industry, Ruppert was formerly the CEO and President of T. Rowe Price Global Investment Services, and was also a venture partner of Greenspring Associates, a $14 billion VC firm. This experience of being vested in the equity and venture side has given him the acuity to spot highly lucrative investment opportunities in a global marketplace. Ruppert’s secret to success lies in following his personal interests in various fields with numerous investments located around the globe in arts and entertainment, fintech, disruptive technologies, education, and impact investing. Here he shares his insights on some of his activities.
By Hillary Latos
What are some of the areas you are invested in?
FinTech is really what I grew up with and I'm an investor, advisor and board member to FinTech companies all over the globe. I'm invested in a lot of different areas, whether it's infrastructure, payments, insurance tech or roboadvisors, etc. it's across the board. I just went on the board of Rocket Dollar that just made an announcement a couple of days ago about another funding round. Rocket Dollar enables individuals to invest their self-directed IRAs in alternative investments. I’m also on. the board of Symbiont, which is a smart contracts blockchain company that works with the asset management industry. Another is Bite Investments, a technology platform providing access to a diversified selection of alternative assets. There are many more. Over the last year I have been doing more in Africa in digital banking and open finance. I look for company founders that are intellectually gifted, have street smarts, and have the leadership qualities to turn a team’s talents into durable value for customers. I also look for founders that meet the four H’s – hungry, humble, honest, and with heart. It’s really a combination of a strong founder or founders and a large, expanding market opportunity.
You are also diversified into artistic fields such as entertainment, is that more of a passion play?
I really enjoy the arts and entertainment industries, and there are attractive investment opportunities. I cofounded a company in 2013 called Iconic Images where we acquire the intellectual property rights of photographers. It’s an interesting business. I'm on the board of The Fine Art Group, which is one of the largest independent art lending, brokerage, valuation, advisory and appraisal companies in the world.
I'm on the board of a company called Hit Lab in Montreal, which is doing a global digital emerging artists showcase. I'm also an advisor to a private equity firm called BroadLight Capital which is working in the entertainment, technology, and consumer space. I’m also an investor in London and LA based Flawless. It’s neural network driven filmmaking that is the world’s first system that uses Artificial Intelligence to create perfectly lip-synced visualizations in multiple languages.
Another start up company I’m excited about is called Molten, based in Cambridge, MA. Their technology allows film and TV producers to move content and intellectual property around through the Molten system which is the nervous system that connects intellectual property on the internet. They match distributors and content producers from around the world while enabling them to outsource a lot of their back office, financing functions, and IP. In just 18 months there are more than 200 million films and TV shows on their platform, which is about 5% of all the TV shows and films ever made.
I'm also on the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And another thing that I’ve done is make three documentary movies- A Year in Champagne, A Year in Burgundy, and A Year in Port. I'd never made a movie and I wanted to try which was a lot of fun and I learned a lot from the experience.
Which sectors do you think will have the biggest growth?
The global pandemic created a number of dynamics that have resulted in enormous digital acceleration and very meaningful tailwinds to disruptive, venture capital friendly sectors, such as workforce collaboration technology, tele-health, e-commerce, distance learning, e-gaming, enterprise productivity software, etc. These will continue to accelerate. I also see significant growth in quantum computing, AI, biometric screening, genomics, cyber security, and much more. We are living in a golden age of innovation led by transformational technological advances that will impact every industry. It’s so exciting.
How do you like being on the venture side versus the buy side while at T. Rowe Price?
They are interlinked. T. Rowe Price is a phenomenal organization which I'm so proud and honored to have had a good career with. While they are predominantly a long only stock and bond organization, the alternative investment space is another area of great interest to me. I like being involved with startup companies and scrappy entrepreneurs.
In addition to having been a venture partner at Greenspring, a terrific organization investing in funds, directly in companies and in secondaries of funds and companies, I’m on the board of another very fascinating venture capital firm called Antler. It has a global entrepreneurship program. This year there will be over 60,000 individuals that go through the program around the world. From that group, less than 3% are selected to enter 12 week regional programs where individuals are matched together to create companies which are then presented to regional investment committees. A small percentage get funded, and since Antler’s money is the first money in with no competition, valuations are low. Further, almost 40% have a woman as one of the founders and a significant percentage are impact oriented companies.
Do you see any like regulatory threats to any of your any of your seed investments?
I’m a fan of regulation and there is clearly a lot of regulation in the financial services sector but you also need to work deliberately with the regulators. There’s a company that I'm involved with right now that is like the Robinhood of Nigeria, called Trove. It enables Nigerians a to invest outside of Africa to put money into stocks and bonds in the United States and elsewhere. The central bank is creating some issues with them because they're concerned that it's causing capital flight from the country, so we are working with the regulators.
As an astute investor, are there any sectors you would avoid now?
I wouldn't be buying fixed income securities. There are always going to be areas that are overvalued and undervalued, and you don't know how long that is going to last. You need to have the conviction that you're invested in companies and managements in markets that will have a positive long term trajectory. I've certainly made mistakes and a lot of people much smarter than I am have made mistakes. It’s important to be conscious of valuations, but I don't think you need to be overly overridden by valuations. If that was the case, people would not have been in the venture capital industry over the years, and a lot of money has been made over the last couple of years.
What kind of impact investments are you involved with?
Many of the companies that I invest in I'm actively involved in helping their management teams, such as Marco Polo Learning, which has thousands of teaching lessons for children between the ages of three and seven on a handheld device that piqued interest during the pandemic. Since its inception, I’ve also been involved with M Power Financing, which provides financing for non US citizens that are coming to the United States for education, but they can't get a loan from a bank because they don't have a FICO score.
I was also an early investor and advisor to one of the first robo advisors in the UK, Nutmeg, which was just acquired by JP Morgan, as well as in Seedrs, the first crowdfunding platform in Europe. I like being involved with companies that are doing positive things for society whether it's for humans or the environment. I'm passionate about that.
Education is a mission driven impact oriented interest of mine. I'm on the board of the INSEAD business school based in Fontainebleau, France, with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Singapore. What I like about INSEAD is that no more than 10% of the incoming class can come from any one country and you have to be fluent in three languages. It's the most internationally diverse business school in the world and consistently ranked in the top five.
Giving back to cancer research is important to me and my wife as we have a child who's a cancer survivor. Children are important. I'm also on the board for the International Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Finally, I’m an investor in and advisor to Switzerland based GIST Impact. We all know that investors are increasingly interested in sustainability - the positive and negative impacts companies have on society and the environment. We also know that there has been an explosion of ESG ratings. However, ESG doesn’t measure actual impact. It’s more categorization and there is so much confusion and lack of standardization and transparency. GIST’s science based and data driven approach helps companies and investors quantify and better understand the degree of a company’s positive and negative impacts on natural, human, social, and financial capital. Its methodology is scientifically robust with commonality across all industries. GIST is the next evolution of ESG. It gets to the heart of the matter – actual, quantifiable, measurable impact.
What are some of the life lessons you’ve learned during the pandemic?
First, we tend to take our health for granted. We shouldn’t. Second, many people got much more consumed with their work during this pandemic, and its addictive. Since people traveled a lot less, they spent a lot more time looking inward and tried to figure out things that are important to them. For me, it made me realize that much of the travel that I did before, I didn’t need to do. I'll still be traveling, but it's not going to be to the same extent as before. Finally, it was crystalized in me that extreme events in one direction can lead to extreme events in the other direction. You must be very alert to take advantage of that.
Were there any mentors that really shaped your career?
Absolutely. Ed Mathias, who was one of the people running T. Rowe Price when I joined, was a tremendous mentor to me, and like me, he is also a serial investor. One of the key things he said long ago is don't focus on the inside, focus on the outside and network.
You know what? He was right. Life is a contact sport and life is an improvisation, and it's amazing the things that happen if you put yourself out there.
JOHAN WAHLSTROM
An Artist’s Artist
By Christopher Dearing
One eye sees, the other feels.
Paul Klee
For over twenty years, Swedish artist Johan Wahlstrom has used his canvas like a magnifying glass, exposing followers to the tangled fabric of raw emotion that underlies the modern world.
In one of his latest works, Social Life, Wahlstrom holds that lens up to the viewer. In a series of colorless line drawings depicting huddled crowds with blank stares, Wahlstrom forces us to examine uneasy truths about our relationship with social media. Despite the drawn figures' proximity to each other, their zombie-like faces suggest that our society's love affair with cell phones will ironically lead to estrangement, NOT the community these devices seemingly promise.
At a time when people are looking at artists to grapple with and digest modern complexities, Wahlstrom's eagerness for political critique has inspired his contemporaries to watch and take note. Exhibitions from Davos to Miami have hung his paintings side by side with work from Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter, Santiago Sierra, Picasso, and Salvador Dali, and others.
Wahlstrom is the very definition of an artist's artist. As noted by Adam Lehrer for Forbes: "Politics have of course always filtered through art, but very seldom do artists present societal woes and the political landscape in such a refreshingly clear way as Johan Wahlstrom."
And his artistic clarity can border on prescience—in 2015, well before Donald Trump secured the Republican nomination, Manhattan's Van Der Plas Gallery hosted House of Lies, Wahlstrom's Trump-filled tribute to the next four years of political discourse.
Since that exhibit, Wahlstrom's depictions of Trump have circulated widely, finding admirers on both sides of the political divide.
Born in 1959, Wahlstrom's first creative track was rock and roll. He had a successful and long career as a keyboardist and singer, touring with Ian Hunter, Graham Parker, Mick Ronson and many Scandinavian artists. After 18 years, the touring life caught up with him. Wahlstrom moved to a small village in France where he did nothing but paint for seven years, part of that time under the tutelage of Swedish artist, Lennart Nystrom. Other inspirations include Paul Klee, Jean Dubuffet, and author Jack Kerouac.
Currently, Wahlstrom lives in New York, NY, with a studio in Jersey City. After a lifelong fascination with the US, he probably wants to keep an eye on us now before the next political shoe drops.
Leading the Way in Next-Gen Impact Initiatives: OLIVIA DELL & CHELSEA TOLER
Founders of NOVA Impact
Growing up in Austin, Chelsea Toler and Olivia Dell explored the concepts of building local and global initiatives together and how they’ve made a commitment to dedicate their personal and professional careers to this work. From a small kitchen table with a handful of Next-Gen to a now robust and growing community with hundreds of partners and members, the NOVA Impact team has built a unique Next-Gen network, making waves in the impact ecosystem to create change together.
By Yvonne Beri
How did you get involved in the Impact Space?
Olivia: We all grow up with this sense that there are people devoting their lives to creating a more sustainable and equitable world, but we don’t necessarily know how to do just that. It wasn’t until I was exposed to incredible communities dedicated to impact like Thinking Beyond Borders, Opportunity Collaboration Conference, and Nexus that I began to understand the mechanisms of the Impact Space and my role within it. I began to piece together an ecosystem map of what’s happening in the impact space, who’s doing what, how decisions are made, and how to better navigate some of the challenges within the space.
Now, I work at Falkon Ventures, a venture capital firm, where I’m exposed to the intricacies of investment decision making and what it means to be a hands-on investor. Everyday I see the unique challenges and opportunities our portfolio companies are tackling and have gained a deep understanding of the power of collaborative community to help these initiatives thrive.
After mapping out the different sectors and stakeholders in the Impact Space, you can begin to recognize patterns and become a better hands-on investor as you detect the ‘hacks’ and opportunities that can help investments and even philanthropic initiatives thrive. This reflection is a lot of what informs the work we do at NOVA Impact and serves as a really strong foundation for our Next-Gen to build upon.
How did you first get your start building a career in impact?
Chelsea: I got my start in the impact and philanthropy sector under the mentorship of Celeste Flores who sits as leadership for Giving Tuesday. I worked alongside 6 other women to run Austin’s Giving Day, Amplify Austin Day, which raised $10 Million for over 750 nonprofit organizations in 24 hours and helped start the organization’s first fund in partnership with several family foundations in the area. Additionally, I learned that power for good is possible with small but determined teams.
What was your experience starting a family foundation as a Next-Gen?
Chelsea: After my time at Amplify, I transitioned into starting my family’s private foundation. In researching how to get started and potential models, I decided to build my own model to address the gap in intergenerational philanthropic and impact education for Next-Gen (defined as either inheritors or those involved in the impact ecosystem under 40). I wanted to show what Next-Gen were capable of, but also to provide them with a unique opportunity to work on global initiatives and to deploy capital amongst their peers with the support of non-kin mentorship. We started as Next-Gen sitting around my kitchen table brainstorming what we could do together to make a real difference in the world. Each of us spent months exploring different wonderful communities such as NEXUS, 21/64, Summit, Toniic and more. We soon grew into a NextGen advisory board of 20 and hosted over 300 family offices, Angel investors/VCs, Corporate Social Responsibility team members from Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofits at our city’s first Impact and Philanthropy summit in partnership with the United Nations. Additionally, our 20 Next-Gen went through an extensive grant education process and deployed grants to several local and global organizations. The summit was held at Google and Parker Jazz Club and was one of the largest events held prior to the pandemic shutdown of Austin including the cancellation of SXSW.
Why do you think Next-Gen need to be a part of the broader impact conversation?
Chelsea: At the beginning of the pandemic, Olivia and I began to reflect on what Next-Gen could do to really make a difference as well as how we could continue to align all forms of our capital with our values and social good during the pandemic. We knew Next-Gen with incredible stories of service, altruism, and creativity transcending traditional systems of collaboration across sectors to solve timely problems during the pandemic, but did not see these stories being shared with the world.
We brought a few examples to the Giving Tuesday leadership team who then entrusted Olivia and me to run the first ever Next-Gen Global Campaign for Giving Tuesday in which we were able to raise over $1.2 million dollars and logged over 1 million Next-Gen acts of generosity around the globe. After this initiative, Olivia and I decided to formalize our work with the founding of NOVA Impact, which is more than just an impact-driven organization, it is a community dedicating their personal and professional lives to creating change together. Olivia and I are honored to have helped deploy over $50 million towards social good thus far and don’t see any slowing down in the future.
How did NOVA Impact begin?
Olivia: NOVA Impact is a private, intergenerational community of investors, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs dedicated to supporting impact-driven initiatives. At NOVA, we host a private community in which
our members come to ask questions, share opportunities, and to learn from each other and the communtiy of experts we bring in to share their work and experiences. We cover everything from what the impact ecosystem looks like, key vocabulary, how capital flows within the space, and provide our members with a community of peers to help navigate the often confusing space, and to help them plug into impact-driven initiatives in and outside of the NOVA Community.
As Next-Gen, we know that there is a lot of scattered information about the Impact Space and a lack of clarity in terms of how to plug in and build expertise. We’re not alone in our thesis that giving Next-Gen the opportunity to engage in the Impact Space even before they step into roles of actively managing financial capital and creates better outcomes in the long-term and built NOVA Impact to facilitate just that.
Do you only work with Next-Gen inheritors?
Chelsea: While we have a Next-Gen focus, our community is intergenerational. We know that creating sustainable impact initiatives requires bringing a diversity of perspectives into the impact conversation and our community reflects that. Mapping out a collective impact ecosystem has been hugely impactful in helping our Next-Gen take the next step in their impact journeys and can provide a lot of clarity and access to mentors in the process of becoming better stewards of capital, financial and otherwise.
Most of the individuals within our community are Next-Gen inheritors although more recently we have started running bootcamps for Next-Gen founders and those looking to build or transition their careers in impact. We’ve built a process to bring together players at all levels of the ecosystem, bringing together groups like start-up founders to family offices to VCs to University Philanthropy Center leaders for potential partnership and/or support.
How has your research and PhD work con- tributed to your work with NOVA Impact?
Chelsea: Another important aspect of the origin story of NOVA Impact came out of an initial interest in my dissertation topic: “Next Gens & The Greatest Wealth Transfer: Moving Various Forms of Capital Into Impact.” In learning that over 80% of family offices break down within 3 generations, I began to explore what could prevent these breakdowns and contribute to Next-Gen successes in stepping into leadership roles. As a result, Olivia and I worked to ensure that NOVA Impact provides Next-Gen with a peer network, mentorship outside of their families, and a safe space to practice moving various forms of capital towards social good. We believe that peer groups, mentorship, and capital practice set Next-Gen up for changing the historical data around failures to lead effectively and wanted to create a solution to support this. NOVA Impact is NextGen-led and seeks to provide these resources from a perspective that Next-Gen can relate to.
After completing a cohort or bootcamp, participants receive an invitation to join our private community where members get access to our private in-person and virtual events, projects, networks, and content.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR NOVA?
Chelsea: There’s a lot on the horizon for the NOVA Community. We’ve been able to partner with some incredible organizations including FYLI, The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network for Youth Venture Philanthropy Fund, Social Venture Partners Austin, and many more to continue to bring new projects and opportunities to our community.
We’re running a few exciting upcoming events at Art Basel, South by Southwest in our home city of Austin, and many more. We recently wrapped up an incredible event in The Hamptons in partnership with FYLI to bring a diversity of perspec- tives and backgrounds together in such a historically monogamous place.
Ultimately, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to support our community members in reaching their impact goals and to continue building out the support systems we know that help impact-initiatives thrive.
BY CHARLES L. BARNES
Photographer: Charles L. Barnes - @charles.l.barnes Model 1: Caitlyn Watson - @caitlyn_watson with MFore Models - @mforemodels Models 2: Lambert Perkins - @lambo.perkins with MFore Models - @mforemodels MUAH: Lisa Massey - @masseyhair_dontcare Stylist: Lauren Besch - @dreamerseyegirl Backdrop: Sarah Oliphant - @oliphantstudio Retoucher: @larachrome.retouch
Eyes: BH cosmetics Solar Flare Pallet Face: Giorgio Armani Power Fabric 8.75 Cheek: Becca Ski Glow Face Pallet Lips: NYX Spring it On Jewelry: Stylist’s Own
Eyes: Beauty Bakerie Proof is in the Puddin Pallet, BH Cosmetics Solar Flare Pallet Face: Giorgio Armani Power Fabric 8.75 Cheek: Glo Minerals Rush Lips: Too Faced Naughty by Nature Jewelry: Stylist’s Own
Eyes: Morphe 35C EVERYDAY CHIC pallet Lips: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, Buxom White Russian Face: Glo Minerals Tahini Cheek: Chanel Incognito, Becca Rose Quartz Jewelry: Stylist’s Own
Eyes: Beauty Bakerie Proof is in the Puddin Pallet, BH Cosmetics Solar Flare Pallet Face: Giorgio Armani Power Fabric 8.75 Cheek: Glo Minerals Rush Lips: Too Faced Naughty by Nature Jewelry: Stylist’s Own
Eyes: BH Cosmetics Solar Flare Pallet Face: Glo Minerals Tahini Foundation Cheek: Chanel Incognito Lips: L’Oréal Paris Rose Tattoo Jewelry: Stylist’s Own
Eyes: Glo Minerals Alloy Eyes Collection, Morphe 35V Stunning Vibes Pallet Face: Glo Minerals Tahini, Giorgio Armani Power Fabric 8.75 Cheek: Glo Minerals Rush and Papaya Lips: Clove + Hallow Fever, NYX Cocktail Party Jewelry: Stylist’s Own
DUDLEY RAYBORN
The Bespoke Custom Clothier for Discerning Clients
Dudley Rayborn has been designing and providing clients with custom wardrobes for over 25 years with a combination of impeccable tailoring and the highest level of personalized service. Sir Dudley’s offers a superior wardrobe experience by carefully crafting the perfect look for an individual, it really is all about the experience!
By Caroline Singer
Dudley purchased a men’s clothing store in the early 80’s where he gained knowledge as a clothier, merchandiser, and buyer. He continued to further his knowledge of the clothing industry and later branched out into custom clothing. His superior craftsmanship and unsurpassed quality is always evident in each of his exclusive designs whether made for men or women. He can create an entire wardrobe from custom suits, jackets, shirts, shoes, sports and casual wear, jeans and topcoats. When it comes to women’s garments, he specializes in handmade custom suits, trousers, and tailored shirts, taking into account variables such as body type, complexion, personality, and style when creating a custom wardrobe.
After an initial appointment is set up, he will visit you in your office, your home, or if preferred, in one of his showrooms for an in-depth evaluation. Once complete, he will do a thorough measuring where the detailed process of bespoke tailoring begins. His custom-made clothing is inspired by London’s famed Savile Row and emerging fashion trends from Italy, England, France and other parts of the world. Sir Dudley has a passion for creating a personalized, unique style for each client, bespoke clothing designs and garments that are distinctive with twists of colors and patterns to the preference of the individual.
The knowledge he has of lightweight or heavyweight fabrics allows him to create wardrobes for different seasons. It is the fabric choice itself that dictates the price of an outfit. Due to Rayborn’s long standing relationships with the mills he is able to access and obtain some of the most unique fabrics in the industry. With a large selection, there is definitely no shortage of options. It is the outstanding quality of these garments that really makes a difference in the wearing, pure luxury!
The difference between looking good and looking great is attention to detail!
A bespoke suit by Sir Dudley typically starts at $1,895 and his signature collection goes to $20,000. He believes that it is the attention to detail and service that makes it so easy to establish such a loyal following. We pride ourselves on providing the client with value, knowledge, and the most personalized service available. He also offers a distinguished line of accessories to complement an entire wardrobe for formal and casual needs. While anyone can put on a garment, it is accessorizing that really takes it to the next level of sartorial elegance. It is the difference between dressing and dressing well.
“My goal is to create clothing that truly represents the individuality of the person for whom the garment is being designed for, taking special care in getting to know my clients so that not only does their clothing fit but the garment captures their individuality. When it comes to bespoke and custom clothing, we believe there is a difference between something of value and something that is just expensive. We are confident that dollar for dollar, stitch for stitch, our service and quality garments will deliver the best value on the market.”
With his thoughtful eye for comfort yet still with the utmost focus on design, it is no wonder that the spectacular craftsmanship has caught the attention of leading luxury publications such as Forbes Magazine, South Florida Luxury Guide magazine and Impact Wealth magazine. As a luxury lifestyle brand, Sir Dudley has designed garments for high profile celebrities, athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs. His latest commissions have included world-renown tennis player John Isner, global ambassador Thaddeus Bullard (WWE Titus O'Neal), famous pop artist Ryan Cabrera, and his sixteen groomsmen for his upcoming wedding in Los Angeles, California.
@sirdudleys 863-409-0907
Reimagining a Mid Century Sanctuary LUXURY. CURATED. BESPOKE.
By Caroline Singer
Potthast Design approaches each project with the client at the center. From the initial engagement throughout the life of the project, the measure of collective collaboration is as engaged and immersive as the client wishes. Some clients truly enjoy the design process, while others view interior design as a task to be completed. The firm believes the greatest measure of success is found in the delight of the client. They believe the core of this success is their fundamental and persistent pursuit of excellence. Potthast Design specializes in creative and distinctive design and functional space planning, with well-defined disciplines in place for implementing their project.
Chelsea Potthast of Potthast Design wanted to create a resort-like milieu for her clients at their waterfront home which would embody the South Florida lifestyle, with a twist of whimsy in color and pattern. Built in 1953, the home boasted few design elements worth salvaging. The renovation and design challenge to fashion an inimitable space began with Chelsea and the clients’ immersion in sourcing finishes and items with attributes spanning various genres and decades.
Chelsea's hands-on approach gives her privy access alongside outstanding architects and builders, and together producing principled projects dedicated to perfection. Their formula is a proud combination of utilizing superior materials, thoughtful architecture and design, utmost comfort, and alas, supreme and refined luxury.
Her need to create perfect form and function sought to maximize the space with perfectly scaled beautiful and sophisticated furnishings. They fashioned custom rugs and sumptuous upholstery in shades of sand, soft aquamarine and bright blue, rich print and detailed pattern. Radiant chandeliers shimmer and illuminate the space, appearing to be selected from the finest of a queen's jewelry box.
Through close relationships with her loyal craftsmen and artisans, upholsterers, and suppliers, Potthast Design engineers their projects with exceptional construction finishes, striking plumbing fixtures, and innovative appliances and equipment. They hand-select and employ the highest quality materials and textiles to craft bespoke furnishings and light fixtures, curate extraordinary artwork and exceptional accessories, as well as fine linens and stunning tabletop items.
A maximalist’s dream home came to fruition, sophisticated, elegant, yet fun and casual. The firm's paramount attention to every and all detail is what makes working with Potthast Design a matchless experience.
LAMBORGHINI HURACAN STO
The Beast Throws One Last Roar
The Huracan is on its last leg. Time is a friend when spent in good company. Days go fast, hours turn into minutes, love flourishes and hate dies. Yet, when the clock strikes on the twelfth hour, the journey must end. This Italian bull is now too small to thrive in today's world full of hypercars.
By Kyle Edward
Yet, the beast hasn’t had its last roar yet. Before saying goodbye, there comes the STO, the Huracan’s way of saluting the world with two middle fingers raised up, proudly stepping out of the spotlight. A GRANDEUR EXIT
SUBTLE?
The Lamborghini Huracan STO is as subtle as a straight punch to the face, resulting in a stellar black eye. Living up to its Super Trofeo heritage, the STO is the utmost expression of raw power. It is a road car that only feels at home on the track. There is no more power to have out of the 5.2-liter V10. It still rests at 631bhp and 416lbs-ft of torque.
Yet, the STO feels faster, more agile and sharper than any other Huracan iteration. The engineers couldn't go bigger, so they went smarter.
Let’s talk numbers. The rear wing inspires fear into the hearts of bystanders and the shark fin play a major role in that number. Carbon fiber elements were boosted to 75% of the body, translating to 2952lbs total weight. That’s 88lbs below the Performante. Top speed goes to 192mph, lower than Performante’s 201mph, and the 0-60mph is 3 seconds, just a tenth slower than the Performante.
IS IT FAST?
There might be some gimmicky stuff on the outside, like the uber-expensive paint job or the strange amount of polystyrene around the nooks and crannies. On the track however, the Huracan doesn’t play. It is angry, it is raw. The sound, the brutality of the linearly inducted V10 at 8500rpm, the hardness of the suspension, the stiffness of the seats. This is a race car with number plates.
The steering wheel weighs down to match the speed of the car. It is obnoxiously responsive. With a quarter turn you’re switching lanes. Half a turn spin might see you taking a hard turn towards the landscape. There’s rear wheel steering as well. The STO can’t miss the apex, and it won’t. The gearbox is a 7-speed DCT with short ratios. So short that the 8500rpm redline comes faster than you’d expect. It makes you shift the gears up and down quite often; after all, you didn’t come expecting to rest.
Carbon ceramic brakes plant the car into the ground before the corner. They will stop the STO from 60mph in just a little over 3 seconds.
Want to go faster? The Huracan STO brings 3 drive mods. There is STO, which is supposed to be the softest of the three. It is anything but soft. However, the Trofeo takes it even further. Everything becomes so stiff that you feel like a part of the chassis. The car communicates through you. Pioggia mode is supposed to be used only in the rain. It was likely designed with the optional race semi-slicks in mind.
The time is nearly up for the Huracan. But it steps into the spotlight one last time, showing how the bull only now has its final charge. It’s the ultimate experience involving brutal acceleration, laser-guided missile precision and unobstructed feeling.
ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST BLACK BADGE
Not For The Faint Of Heart
It is highly unlikely that anyone needs explanations when it comes to the Rolls-Royce brand. We have all heard about it. We all know it’s expensive. A club for the selected elite. Rolls-Royce never built cars for volume. It has always been about being uniquely tailored to the individual.
By Kyle Edward
THE GHOST
The Rolls-Royce Ghost was introduced in 2010. With over a decade of building custom versions, Rolls-Royce decided to take the Ghost to the next level. Every vehicle needs customization, but what if there was an even tighter kept secret in the British luxury brand? What if there was a category reserved only for a few of the 1%?
When you get to the point where you don’t even bother keeping track of your finances, everything’s a playground. And toys are big and expensive. Yet, what do you do when you still want to stand out?
INTRODUCING BLACK BADGE
With all-black designs, paintjobs weighing 100 lbs and some of the most expensive materials, RR Black Badge models come for those that are at the peak.
Rolls-Royce markets the Ghost Black Badge as built for subversive clients. For those who built their empire and weren’t afraid to break the rules and say “screw your limits”. The engine sports large numbers slightly upgraded from the “standard” V12, but nobody really cares about that. The humongous turbocharged V12 gives out 592 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Almost enough to get that yacht unstuck from the shallow waters surrounding one of your private islands.
None of the RR cars feel sporty despite their supercar-grade figures. Powerful and quick, yes, but not sporty. And why would they? It’s built for luxury. You don’t get to make a bold statement by passing fast but rather by going slow enough so that everyone can stand in awe.
THE STATEMENT
The Ghost Black Badge does make a statement. Huge carbon wheels slowly turn without missing the position of the RR logo in the center. Everywhere you look, everything is dark. Chrome has been darkened, black has been taken a few tones lower on the spectrum. Even the privacy glass pushes all light away. The Ghost lives up to its name. Cold and mysterious, it wanders unbothered by its surroundings, gliding to a destination known only by itself. The paint sitting on the chassis weighs 100 lbs on its own. The paint is first atomized then applied to electrostatic body elements, then oven dried. To keep it immaculate, two layers of clear coating are applied. Yet, the signature piano black finish isn’t there yet. To achieve it, 5 expert craftsmen hand-polish the entire surface of the car, leaving no spot unchecked.
On the inside, there is a striking combination of black wood veneers, black technical fabrics. Obviously, there are no preset trims. The Black Badge lifestyle isn’t about what’s already there on offer, but rather about what one can get only for himself and no one else can match it. The 850 stars on the ceiling, visible only at night, fully compliment the philosophy. Only in a Rolls-Royce you will see the sky without seeing the sky.
THE PURPOSE
Overall, the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge isn’t there to boast with the price. Nor to impress by engine specs. It exists as a statement for those who made it all the way to the top and desire something they can customize to fit their phantom side and drive off into the night on a journey unknown.
IMPACT WEALTH CELEBRATES OUR FALL ISSUE
During the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show
By Hillary Latos
To fete the opening of the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, Impact Wealth Magazine threw a sunset cocktail party to celebrate our Fall Issue with Kevin O’Leary at a gorgeous waterfront mansion in the exclusive Bay Colony Estates. Our VIP guests were treated to a sublime pairing of Antonius Caviar with Chopin Vodka, delicious appetizers from Social Standard along with tropical cocktails from Ojo del Sol grapefruit tequila, and libations from Cupcake Wines, Stella Artois Beer and Dr. Perricone Hydrogen Water. Guests enjoyed the beautiful South Florida sunset poolside and on the Sirena yacht docked in the back – the perfect embodiment of the luxurious South Florida lifestyle. Darin Kucera provided the stunning “eye candy” artwork from Libertine Contemporary Fine Arts and a special thanks to our other sponsors Crestmont Investments, Bespoke Real Estate, LVH Global, Sergio Nicolosi and Greg Matthews, and Senada Adzem and Brian Ross from Douglas Elliman.
A perfect South Florida home for indoor and outdoor entertaining with 250 feet of personal water frontage, 30 Bay Colony Land is on the market for $12.95 Million. For more information please visit:
