For many entrepreneurs, passion and determination are what spark a new business. For Mercedes Fonte, owner of The Back Nine Golf franchise locations in Papillion and Omaha, Nebraska, those qualities came naturally. With a strong background in both hospitality and finance, she was confident she could bring a new concept to the Midwest: an elevated indoor golf experience where players could enjoy FULL SWING simulator technology, PGA lessons, and family-friendly fun, all available around the clock.
But as her business grew, the numbers became increasingly complex. Despite her financial knowledge, managing multiple revenue streams, loans, taxes, and projections while juggling her corporate career and real estate investments left her overwhelmed. That’s when Mercedes turned to Advantage Insights, a trusted financial partner that helped her transform confusion into clarity and gain the confidence to grow.
The Back Nine Golf and Mercedes Fonte’s Challenges
At The Back Nine Golf, members and guests enjoy 24/7 simulator access powered by FULL SWING technology—the same system trusted by PGA professionals. The venues offer public tee times, lessons from PGA instructors, leagues, tournaments, private events, and corporate partnerships. With two locations thriving and a third underway in Elkhorn, the franchise is quickly becoming Omaha’s go-to indoor golf destination.
Mercedes’ path to ownership was shaped by her diverse background. She had worked in resort management, honing her skills in client service and community engagement, and in finance at a Fortune 500 company, where she gained experience in planning and analysis. As a business owner, she identified three priorities:
- Community engagement – creating relationships that fuel membership growth.
- Client engagement – delivering a premium experience for golfers and families.
- Operations and financial organization – ensuring her business model was sustainable.
It was that last responsibility that became the most daunting.
The Back Nine’s financial structure was uniquely complex. Mercedes had to navigate:
- Revenue categorization under Nebraska tax law: memberships were not taxed, while certain tee times and lessons were.
- Loan and cash flow management, balancing her own startup loan with operating expenses.
- Projections without precedent, since she was the first franchisee in the Midwest. “The first year was tough,” she admitted. “I had to be very conservative, because there wasn’t a roadmap to follow.”
- Multi-business management, as she also operated a real estate LLC.
Even with QuickBooks and spreadsheets, Mercedes found herself spread thin. “I know finance, but the day-to-day of keeping three businesses organized became overwhelming,” she said. “It was taking energy away from the parts of the business only I could handle.”
The Turning Point: Partnering with Advantage Insights
Recognizing that financial organization could no longer be managed alone, Mercedes sought professional support. A fellow business owner referred her to Mary Ferry, CEO of Advantage Insights.
From the first meeting, Mercedes felt immediate relief. “Mary explained her process, and I knew I’d finally be organized. It was a big sigh of relief to know my books would be clean, reconciled, and filed on time.”
That partnership marked the turning point, transforming financial stress into confidence and giving Mercedes the freedom to refocus on her strengths as a leader.
Advantage Insights’ Tailored Solutions
Advantage Insights stepped in with a comprehensive financial management plan tailored to The Back Nine Golf’s needs. The services included:
- Monthly account reconciliation to keep every transaction accurate and up to date.
- QuickBooks management across all her ventures.
- Tax compliance and payment management, ensuring nothing fell through the cracks.
- Franchise reporting, structured to meet The Back Nine’s requirements.
- Error prevention, such as catching duplicate bill payments.
- Consultation and education, with Mary personally walking Mercedes through reports and answering questions.
“Every month, I know my books are clean and accurate,” Mercedes shared. “That peace of mind is invaluable.”
What set Advantage Insights apart wasn’t just the bookkeeping—it was the philosophy of empowerment. Mary’s team helped Mercedes understand the numbers at a higher level. By breaking down complex reports like the Profit & Loss statement and Balance Sheet, Advantage Insights translated financial data into a clear story about her business.
This approach reflects Advantage Insights’ broader mission: to provide cost-effective, customized financial management solutions that improve efficiency while empowering owners with education and insight. With decades of expertise in financial analysis, accounting, and process optimization, Advantage Insights combines technical precision with a personal touch.
Transformative Impact and Results
The results of this partnership were immediate and lasting. Mercedes describes the impact as “a huge load off my plate.” With the financial side managed by experts, she could focus on what only she could do: cultivating relationships, enhancing client experiences, and driving community engagement.
The measurable outcomes included:
- Clarity – Reports now tell her exactly where money is coming from and where it’s going.
- Organization – Each business is tracked accurately and separately, without messy overlap.
- Peace of mind – Confidence that taxes, reconciliations, and filings are handled correctly.
- Smarter decisions – Clear insights allow her to make informed choices about growth, marketing, and strategy.
- Reduced risk – With eyes on every detail, Advantage Insights helps ensure her businesses avoid common financial pitfalls.
“If you want to grow, financial management is number one,” Mercedes said. “Too many businesses fail because they run out of money. With Mary’s help, I know where every dollar is going. That makes all the difference.”
Conclusion: Growing with Confidence
Mercedes Fonte’s journey shows how even the most capable, driven entrepreneurs benefit from expert financial partnership. For The Back Nine Golf, working with Advantage Insights has offered clean books, confidence, clarity, and the ability to scale sustainably.
“The value far outweighs the cost,” Mercedes emphasized. “I’ve already referred people to Advantage Insights because I know firsthand how transformative their support can be.”
With two thriving locations, a third on the horizon, and a strong financial foundation, Mercedes is positioned for long-term success. And with Advantage Insights by her side, she’s not just surviving the challenges of business ownership—she’s thriving with clarity and peace of mind.
