“It’s exciting seeing people eat your masterpiece” — The Espresso with Dani Troiani

Sanaa Siddiqui

30 July 2024•3 min read

What’s it like to work at 9fin? We went behind the scenes to ask our employees (9finners) in this interview series. Their answers were punchy and powerful — just like a shot of espresso ☕

In this interview you’ll hear from visual designer Dani Troiani on the importance of unity as a team, jumping into new territory, and her love for baking ‘impossible cakes’.

Hi Dani. Firstly, what does the design team do?

An important part of my role involves acting as a brand ambassador. I have a wide range of responsibilities, from marketing campaigns and corporate events, to projects that boost our brand's visibility. It's great, it keeps me engaged, and I'm constantly learning.

Describe your team in three words.

Creative. Reliable. United.

“We’re a young company, but the intelligence maturity at 9fin is really high.”

What made you decide to join 9fin?

I like telling this story. Huss (co-founder and CTO) reached out to me on LinkedIn, but before that, my sister-in-law had applied to 9fin. She wasn’t successful, and hadn’t mentioned the name of the company to me.

When I started my interview process with 9fin I reached out to her to ask whether she’d heard of the company. I wasn’t sure whether I should leave a big corporate to work at a scrappy scale-up.

Her reaction tipped the scales — she was so excited for me, and said that 9fin was the business she wanted to join. She mentioned that the interview process made her feel safe, and valued, and that it felt like this culture was embodied throughout the business.

What’s the one thing you’d tell people about 9fin that they can’t guess through the website?

How cool everyone is. We’re all from varied backgrounds. I’d also add that we’re a young company, but the intelligence and maturity at 9fin is really high.

What makes people successful?

The ability to trust your own instinct. Successful people are also great at taking new opportunities to prove themselves.

Can you share your biggest achievement so far?

I’m really proud of how I’ve evolved into much more than a designer during my time at 9fin.

Since joining 9fin I’ve learnt photography and videography, and I love that I’m someone other teams can rely on — whether that’s for videography at an event, or coming up with creative ideas for merch, like our branded M&Ms!

“I’m able to take my kids to and pick them up from school … There’s a level of mutual trust and respect that I could never take for granted.”

What excites you?

Work-wise, I love collaborating with the marketing team — it’s a side of my work I’d like to lean more into.

Outside of work, I like to bake ‘impossible cakes’. I don’t do this as a side hustle — it’s just something I enjoy doing for my closest friends and family. It’s exciting seeing people eat your masterpiece. Of course the cakes have to look good, but they have to taste amazing too.

Interesting — what’s your favourite ‘impossible cake’?

My favourite one was based on The Cat in the Hat. I had the long hat, with the fishbowl and the goldfish. And I made almost a hundred cupcakes to go with it as well, which were smaller hats made of Oreos.

What advice would you give someone who wants to join the design team?

If flexibility is your priority, then definitely apply! I’m super grateful for how easy it is to work at a high-growth scaleup like 9fin and be a parent at the same time.

I’m able to take my kids to and pick them up from school. I can have a debrief on how their day went without constantly checking my emails.

There’s a level of mutual trust and respect that I could never take for granted.