Do.Different.Better

What does real financial planning look like—when it’s built for you, not the 1%?

This week on the Do.Different.Better Show, I sit down with Stoy Hall, CFP®—founder of Black Mammoth, father, financial advisor, and host of the No BS Wealth Podcast—to break down what it actually means to build wealth in real life.

Stoy grew up watching his single mom work 12-hour shifts to keep the lights on. Now, he’s a registered investment advisor helping women and minority entrepreneurs reclaim their money stories, grow their assets, and design a life of clarity, confidence, and purpose.

In this episode, we get into:

His journey from struggle to certified financial planner

Why the finance industry fails most people—and how he’s flipping the script

What “boring, consistent” strategies can actually build wealth

How to know if a financial advisor is the right fit for you

Tips for anyone curious about becoming a CFP or starting their own firm

And why he believes investing should start with your values, not your risk tolerance

Whether you’re trying to get your money right, become a wealth advisor yourself, or finally stop feeling behind—this episode will meet you where you are.

Plus, Stoy gives us the scoop on his brand new YouTube series—tune in for that.

Learn more or connect with Stoy at https://www.blackmammoth.com

#DoDifferentBetter #StoyHall #BlackMammoth #MoneyMindset #CFPJourney #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #BlackWealthMatters #FinanceWithoutFear #NoBSWealth #RealMoneyTalk

What does it really take to scale a company to a nine-figure exit—and still lead with purpose, humility, and a marathon mindset? In this episode of the Do.Different.Better Show, I sit down with John Makarewicz, Managing Partner at Faris Capital Partners. From private equity to personal values, John shares the lessons he’s learned from growing a business, leading teams, and now helping others build sustainable wealth through real estate and private acquisitions. We talk about:

His money story—and how it shaped his leadership style

What servant leadership looks like in business and at home

The biggest lessons from a $100M+ exit

What everyday investors should know about private equity & family offices

How to make your first move from stocks to real estate investing

Why legacy isn’t just about money—it’s about culture, too

John’s story is a powerful reminder that how you build matters just as much as what you build. Learn more: https://www.fariscapitalpartners.com

IG: @john_makarewicz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-makarewicz-23589a37/

#DoDifferentBetter #PrivateEquity #FinancialLeadership #InvestingTips #PurposeDrivenWealth #JohnMakarewicz #BlackWealth #WomenWhoInvest #MarathonMindset #LegacyMoves

Is your money mindset lowkey sabotaging your budget? ��

This week on the Do.Different.Better Show, I sit down with Scott Maderer, a financial stewardship coach

Scott doesn’t just teach budgeting—he helps you figure out what really matters, why you’re stuck, and

�� In this episode:

The #1 mindset block keeping people broke

Why most budgets fail (and what to do instead)

A simple habit that builds momentum fast

How to align your values with your money choices

Scott’s message is clear: you can budget without being miserable—and you don’t have to do it alone.

�� Book a session with Scott here: https://www.coach.me/ScottMaderer?ref=VeLG2

�� Website: https://inspiredstewardship.com/different

#DoDifferentBetter

The Opportunity and Big Beautiful Bill for America (OBBBA) is a massive economic package with tax code changes, business incentives, and regulatory shifts that could shape the U.S. economy for years.

In this two-part Do.Different.Better Show series, host Elaine Rasmussen breaks it all down:

�� Part 2:

Corporate-friendly provisions and high-earner loopholes

Real-world impacts by race, region, and business structure

Timelines, expirations, and advocacy tips to protect yourself

�� Learn: How to read policy like a pro, spot hidden impacts, and prepare your personal or business

�� Download free guides at dodifferentbetter.com

�� Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube — tag @DoBetterWithElaine

#TrumpOBBBA #DoDifferentBetter #WealthGap #FinancialFreedom #SmallBusinessTips #TaxStrategy

The Opportunity and Big Beautiful Bill for America (OBBBA) is a massive economic package with tax code changes, business incentives, and regulatory shifts that could shape the U.S. economy for years.

In this two-part Do.Different.Better Show series, host Elaine Rasmussen breaks it all down:

Part 1:

What’s in the bill and why it matters

The “good” — wins for working families, small businesses, and rural communities

The “bad” and “ugly” — wealth gap risks, gentrification, and environmental rollbacks

Learn: How to read policy like a pro, spot hidden impacts, and prepare your personal or business finances for what’s ahead.

Download free guides at dodifferentbetter.com

Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube — tag @DoBetterWithElaine

What’s more valuable than money? Time. But what if you could turn your time into money?

We get into:

Renee’s first memory of money—and when she realized its true power

This episode is a masterclass in values-based entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and the business of doing better with your time.

Follow Renee:

#DoDifferentBetter #TimeIsMoney #WomenEntrepreneurs #VirtualAssistants #BlackWomenInBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #SmallBusinessSupport #MoneyTalks #LegacyBuilders #FinancialFreedom #WomenWithVision #OutsourceToGrow

You’ve heard the term—but what is a holding company? And is it just for rich people, or is it something YOU should consider?

In this episode of the Do.Different.Better Show, Elaine Rasmussen breaks it all the way down:

This episode is perfect for:

Multi-hustlers

Consultants & creatives

Real estate investors

Legacy-minded founders

Folks ready to do better with business structure

#HoldingCompany #LLCStructure #FinancialStrategy #BusinessWealth #SideHustleStructure #DoDifferentBetter #EntrepreneurTips #LegacyBusiness #BlackOwnedBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneurs

What if your job could be more than just a paycheck?

You’ll learn:

Listen now and grab the free Ownership Transition Checklist to get started.

#EmployeeOwnership #WealthWisdom #FinancialMobility #ProfitSharing #SocialImpact #DoDifferentBetter #CommunityCapital #SmallBusinessExit #CooperativeEconomics #FutureOfWork #InclusiveWealth

She walked away from a successful nonprofit career, built a life like a holding company, and decided that if she couldn’t find the capital—she’d build her own.

In this episode of the Do.Different.Better Show, host Elaine Rasmussen sits down with Dr. Astrid J. Scholz—polypreneur, wealth hacker, and co-founder of Armillaria, Game The System, and Zebras Unite. Astrid’s work is redefining what it means to mobilize data, people, and capital to solve urgent problems—and she’s doing it with empathy, radical transparency, and unapologetic disruption.

We cover:

* Astrid’s first memory of money—and when she learned its influence

* Why she left a high-profile leadership role to become a tech entrepreneur in her 40s

* The pros and cons of running life like a holding company as a woman with ADHD

* Why she says “if you can’t find the capital, build your own”

* The truth about the Wealth Defense Industry—and how to hack it

* Lessons from Zebras Unite and the Inclusive Capital Collective on funding differently

* SPVs, Dutch subsidiaries, and other unconventional wealth strategies

From nonprofit boardrooms to wealth innovation labs, Astrid shares tactical, no-fluff insights for anyone ready to build, protect, and mobilize wealth in ways that serve people—not just profits.

FOLLOW DR. ASTRID J. SCHOLZ

Website: Armillaria https://armillaria.org | Game The System https://gamethesystem.org | Zebras Unite https://zebrasunite.coop

LinkedIn: Astrid J. Scholz https://www.linkedin.com/in/astridscholz

Instagram: @astridschol

#DoDifferentBetter #WealthHacker #Polypreneur #InclusiveCapital #ImpactInvesting #WomenInFinance #ZebrasUnite #Entrepreneurship #SocialImpact #WealthDefenseIndustry #FinancialDisruption #CapitalForGood

Have you heard of a Special Purpose Vehicle—aka an SPV?

Most people haven’t. But they’re a powerful investment tool that lets you pool funds to invest in a single deal, like a startup, real estate development, or private fund. In other words: you get access to opportunities that used to be reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

In this episode of the Do.Different.Better Show, host Elaine Rasmussen breaks down:

What an SPV is—and why it matters

How SPVs work for individual investors

The pros and cons of using them

Where to find SPVs and what to expect

How to get started (even with $1K–$5K)

Listen, learn, and start investing with clarity and confidence.

#SPVInvesting #PrivateInvestments #WealthWisdom #FinancialEducation #DoDifferentBetter #InvestmentTools #GroupInvesting #AccreditedInvestor #SmartMoneyMoves