My Story

Hi, I’m Mike Dion! Welcome to F9 Finance!

I’m a major finance nerd and have spent the last 12 years working in the Fortune 100, building a finance department from scratch at a startup, advising small businesses, and guiding non-profit organizations as a board member.

I’ve always been a big believer in the power of finance and data to tackle challenges. That’s why I founded F9 Finance – to turn my passion into an opportunity to help others. Whether you’re a seasoned finance professional aiming to step up your game, or a small business owner seeking to make sense of the numbers, F9 Finance is here to make finance and data not just accessible, but also enjoyable.

My story

I was always drawn to business and finance. As a four-year-old, I was starting my own pretend travel business. I hand-drew my own business cards and logos. I was “running” a cross-country travel empire in my dreams and would tell everyone about it.

As I grew up, I developed a more mature understanding of business. In high school, I dove into economics, the most exciting subject I had ever encountered (I told you I was a nerd). I started to understand the power of finance and data in creating real-life change. In college, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. I took my first finance class, and I was hooked.

Why F9 Finance?

The F9 key in Excel lets you quickly check and debug formulas. It takes something complex and makes it really simple. And that is exactly what I want this website to be.

As Albert Einstein (maybe) knew, Finance is an incredibly powerful tool. It plays a role in businesses, careers, and even everyday life. Unfortunately, it is usually made to sound way more complicated than it needs to be. Important topics are buried under a bunch of mumbo jumbo.

I have been learning about finance for over 15 years now. During that time, I learned a lot. But it has not all been easy. Sometimes, I felt like I was way over my head and didn’t know what to do. During those difficult moments, I realized something was missing from the equation.

Something missing was having someone else with experience to talk to, learn from, and make things simple. F9 Finance was created to fill this gap.

F9 Finance is committed to making finance and data enjoyable and accessible, empowering seasoned professionals and small business owners with clear, relatable insights to overcome challenges and fuel growth. Our mission is to guide each unique financial journey with tailored resources, celebrating every question, challenge, and step taken toward achieving your financial goals.

Who We Serve

F9 Finance serves the inspiring trailblazers in the world of finance and accounting.

Leading the pack are Corporate Finance Professionals, those dedicated individuals who navigate the complex financial landscapes of large companies with skill and precision. They’re the analytical minds that keep corporations thriving, always searching for fresh insights and innovative strategies to drive success.

Next up, we have Small Business Owners, the brave souls who’ve taken the leap to bring their dreams to life. They’re juggling a thousand tasks, from sales to operations and even finance. They may not be finance experts, but they’re determined to understand the numbers that underpin their businesses. They’re looking for approachable advice and practical tools to help them make sound financial decisions and grow their ventures.

Last but certainly not least, F9 Finance caters to anyone interacting with finance and accounting. Whether you’re a freelancer managing your finances, an employee tasked with budgeting, or simply a curious mind wanting to demystify finance, F9 Finance is here for you. You value clear language and relatable analogies and enjoy a dash of humor with your financial insights.

At F9 Finance, you’re part of our community. And no matter where you’re at in your financial journey, we’re here to celebrate every question you ask, every challenge you overcome, and every step you take towards understanding and managing your business finances.

Where I’ve Been Featured

I am a contributing analyst to Seeking Alpha, covering the telecom industry and dividend stocks. My investment approach is informed by my Fortune 100 and small business experience. I look for value opportunities where other investors overreact to bad news or underreact to good news. Always backed up by strong fundamentals and preferably a dividend. Cash flow isn’t just king for companies; it’s critical for investors at all levels.

How We Help You Succeed

The Tools

We recommend the best tools and then walk you through them step by step. We have an extensive library of how-to guides, templates, financial calculators, and more. In addition, our experts advise how to use the tools for your unique circumstances best.

The Processes

We break down topics like forecasting, cash flow management, financial analysis, accounting, and more in easy-to-understand process flows to help you be on top of your game. With our help, you’ll be able to navigate the financial world with ease confidently.

The People

We help you be the best talent, find the best talent, and develop the best talent. Want to understand career paths? We can help. Want to learn how to lead finance professionals or even help non-finance teams understand? We can help.

I understand that everyone’s circumstances differ, and I will do my best to ensure you have all the resources, advice, and guidance needed to reach your goals.

Cheers,

Mike

(The Finance Nerd)

P.S. If you want to chat with me, go here.