About Us
MEET EMILY BLUE, CFA – FOUNDER, STORYTELLER, AND DEALMAKER
I’m a founder who bets on founders. At Hue, we’re rewriting the M&A playbook—because good people deserve great advice when navigating the biggest decisions of their lives.
My backstory? Math nerd turned M&A disruptor. A calculus professor once stopped me mid-equation and said: "Finance needs more women who chase the hard problems." So I did—cutting teeth in M&A integrations, negotiating against traditional banks on valuations, then leading corporate development. But no matter how big the deals got, one truth became undeniable: the best transactions aren't about multiples—they're about people.
The Hue lightbulb moment: I realized I was on the wrong side of the table. My heart wasn’t in running the numbers—it was in championing the people behind them. So I built Hue to put founders first, with no corporate fog, no empty promises—just real partnership, before and after the deal.
Outside of dealmaking?
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My crew: Harrison, my real - life "Law & Order" hero, is a prosecuting attorney handling Special Victims and Violent Crimes cases. Then there are Olivia, Claire, and Wesley. And let's not forget about the two furry doodles that are always by my side, wagging their tails with so much enthusiasm. It's a wild, wonderful family, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
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Our Joy: Saying "yes" to adoption was the best decision we ever made—unplanned, unstoppable, and utterly life-changing. Every day, we see love multiply, proving family isn’t just born, it’s built.
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My hikes: Traded Kilimanjaro for toddler-paced trails (baby backpack included). But one day, I’ll dust off my boots for another international trek with Dad—our motto “Go. See. Do.”
Giving back fuels me: Serving as the Board Chair of Girl Scouts of NE KS and NW MO helping ALL girls have access to amazing leadership and confidence building activities, advocating for domestic violence survivors at Newhouse, and defending children’s potential through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City board service. These orgs have given me more than I could ever return.
Let’s write your next chapter. I want the full story—not just your P&L. Send me a note, and let’s make something bold happen. Hue’s got your back.
P.S. Go Chiefs. 🏈
MEET RYAN HALLS – FINANCE NERD TURNED FOUNDER ADVOCATE
I’m a numbers guy who figured out early that M&A isn’t about spreadsheets—it’s about people. At Hue, we’re flipping the script on traditional dealmaking because founders deserve a partner who gets what’s at stake.
My origin story? Born with a checkbook in hand. Literally. As a kid, I tracked my allowance like a mini CFO (cool points: zero). But the real wake-up call came when my grandma’s life savings vanished thanks to shady advice during the financial crisis. That lit a fire in me: finance should protect people, not prey on them.
Career journey:
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Survived my finance degree at Texas A&M (whoop!) just in time for the 2008 crash. Classic timing.
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Cut my teeth at a mega asset manager, then traded Arizona sun for Chicago winters to get my MBA at Booth. (Worth it.)
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Fell in love with the RIA world—where real advice meets real relationships—and never looked back.
The Hue epiphany: After years on both sides of deals, I realized most M&A shops forget there are humans behind the EBITDA. So I co-founded Hue to be the advocate I’d want in my corner—sharp on the numbers, obsessed with the why.
When I’m not geeking out on deals:
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My chaos crew: Alexandria (my Aggie sweetheart-turned-wife), our three wild boys (Eric, Griffin, Marshall), and Teddy, the golden retriever who’s basically a vacuum with a soul.
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My roots: Austin born and bred, with pit stops in NYC, KC (Go Chiefs!), and Chicagoland.
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My therapy: Hiking the Texas hill country, pretending I still have time for fantasy football, and playing pitmaster in my backyard.
Let’s make your next chapter count. Whether you’re exploring a deal or just want to nerd out over RIA strategy, I’m all in. Shoot me a note—Hue’ll make sure you’re more than just a number.
P.S. Teddy approves all kitchen scrap bribes. 🐕
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MEET COOPER BRICKS, CFA – M&A ASSOCIATE WITH A HEART FOR THE SELLER
I came up through the numbers – spreadsheet-deep in models and investment decks, but I’ve learned the most important metrics in a deal don’t show up in Excel. What matters most? People. Their stories, their stakes, and the life-changing decisions they’re about to make. That’s what drives me here.
How I got here?
After tours through United Capital/Goldman Sachs and Rise Growth Partners, I knew I wanted to be closer to the real action – supporting the seller directly. When I first heard Hue’s vision, it clicked. These were the stories I wanted to tell, and more importantly, the work I wanted to do. I had already admired Hue from afar, so when the door opened to help write the next chapter, I walked through it.
My lightbulb moment:
Seeing mentors of mine choose the sell side helped me realize I wanted to be on that side of the table too. I didn’t just want to execute transactions – I wanted to be an advocate. A partner. Someone who makes this massive decision a little less overwhelming, and a lot more human.
The Happenings at Home:
- Farm Life: My wife Hollie (green thumb queen and the real boss), our two boys, Brady and Rory, and a revolving door of chickens, cats, and one loyal dog living on a one-acre “farm” on the Central Coast of CA.
- Hobbies: Long time golfer (forever chasing scratch), newbie fisherman (current obsession), and playing whatever sport my boys are into this week. Life’s pretty simple out here, and I like it that way.
Let’s connect. Curious what we’re seeing in the market – or wondering what Hue might be able to do for you? Always happy to chat.