Hey, I’m Nick!

About Me

If you clicked on this page, you’re looking to learn a little more about the man behind the curtain. Thanks for your interest! Curiosity is the second-highest form of flattery.

Here’s what you should know about me, including how my career has progressed so far and the kind of work I do today.

Subject Matter Expertise

I graduated from the University of San Diego with dual degrees in Finance and Accounting. Immediately after, I started my career in the auditing department of Grant Thornton, one of those monolithic accounting firms we all know and love.

My experience as an associate was about what you’d expect. Not the most exciting thing ever, but a solid gig with good pay and benefits, learning opportunities, and job security.

At least I thought so, until half my coworkers and I were let go in a company-wide layoff.

At that point, I made my first career pivot. I’d studied accounting to become an entrepreneur, after all, and it made more sense to work for a firm that served small business owners than one whose clients were all giant corporations.

So I took my next job in the real estate department of a smaller accounting firm that helped local investors. To my delight, the work was… dare I say exciting? Maybe that’s pushing it. I think I hear distant boos from all the souls still trapped in the eternal torment of Accounting 102.

Okay, it was interesting, at the very least. I got to:

• Analyze the investing approaches of high net worth real estate investors
• Discuss tax planning with accountants who’d studied it since before I was born
• Prepare financial statements and tax returns for hundreds of small businesses

I was a sponge, and I soon crushed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam and got my license. Around the same time, I discovered the Financial Independence/Early Retirement (FIRE) movement, which ignited a lifelong passion for personal finance and lifestyle optimization.

With my expertise and cash cushion growing steadily, I set my sights on becoming a business owner myself.

Enter content marketing.

Content Marketing Business

After reading dozens of articles looking for the perfect business idea, it occurred to me that I might be able to get paid to write the content I was so obsessed with consuming.

It didn’t take me long to confirm that helping companies with their digital marketing was a well-established business model. It was also perfectly suited for my expertise, skillset, and personal inclinations.

Still, I’m a cautious man (see my major and initial career choice), so I took my time making the transition to full-time freelancing. I spent months learning to pitch clients and write long-form content in the evenings after my 9-to-5 job.

Eventually, I found myself with a good enough portfolio to routinely secure work, a cash cushion that provided an entire year of runway, and a growing need to get out of public accounting.

So I took the leap, and I’ve never looked back.

In the years since then, I’ve written hundreds of articles for more than a dozen businesses in the finance industry. My clients have included financial service providers, SaaS companies, personal finance blogs, and more, for which I’ve covered subjects like:

• Consumer and business credit
• Stock and real estate investing
• Tax and retirement planning
• Personal and commercial insurance 
• Accounting and bookkeeping

If you’re interested in hiring my content marketing services for your business, send me an email! If you want to learn more about the content I create first, check out my portfolio.

Money, Career, and Business Resources

In addition to my day job creating content for businesses the finance industry, I also publish resources on my website that help people start and grow their own businesses.

Becoming self-employed is the single greatest thing I’ve ever done for my finances and my happiness. I love sharing the lessons I’ve learned over my career and helping would-be business owners:

• Develop a versatile and marketable skillset
• Find a business idea that leverages their expertise, passion, and network
• Transition from full-time employment to full-time business ownership with minimal risk
• Make rapid progress toward financial independence with the goal of early retirement

Whether you’re a full-time employee dreaming of starting your own business or a freelancer looking for ways to get to the next level, head on over to my blog for help reaching your financial goals.