How does a U.S. Army veteran go from managing soldiers' pay during Operation Enduring Freedom to co-creating cutting-edge financial tools that democratize wealth-building? Mario Payne's answer: combine military discipline, financial expertise, and the unwavering belief that financial independence is a right, not a privilege.

Mario Payne is a Certified Financial Planner, founder of TOAMS Financial (an SEC-registered advisory firm), and a pioneer in fintech innovation based in Jacksonville, Florida. His journey from Cincinnati to becoming one of the rare African American advisors holding the prestigious CFP® credential (less than 2% nationwide) is a masterclass in service, innovation, and breaking barriers. After serving as a Financial Sergeant in the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom, Mario began his career at American Income Life and Edward Jones before launching TOAMS Financial in 2013 a firm built on the principle that clarity and strategy should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy elite.

Host Sean Kling speaks with Mario about his journey from traditional finance to launching an independent RIA, shaped by his military experience. Mario shares how he overcomes industry barriers as a rare African American firm owner, focusing on closing the wealth gap through education and innovation. He discusses his game-changing initiatives, including LETB (the first African American-owned, AI-backed ETF), the Relax Estate AI platform, the Payneful Profits YouTube channel, and the House Wars real estate revitalization project. Learn why Mario refuses to gatekeep financial information and how AI is leveling the playing field for all investors.

Key Topics Explored:
From Financial Sergeant in Operation Enduring Freedom to launching an independent, SEC-registered RIA in 2013, learn about the journey. Discover the faith foundation (TOAMS), the significance of being one of the few African American CFP® professionals, and the creation of LETB (the first African American-owned, AI-backed ETF). Also featured: the Relax Estate AI estate planning platform, the Payneful Profits YouTube channel, appearances in Forbes/Cheddar News, the House Wars real estate initiative, and the mission to make financial independence a right for everyone.

This conversation goes beyond typical financial advice to explore the intersection of military service, entrepreneurial vision, technological innovation, and social impact. Mario's insights apply to anyone looking to build generational wealth, understand how AI is changing investing, break into financial services, or learn why diversity in financial planning matters for closing the wealth gap.

About Mario Payne:
Mario is a U.S. Army veteran, Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and founder of TOAMS Financial, an independent SEC-registered firm. With over 15 years of experience, he is a fintech innovator, having co-created LETB (the first African American-owned AI-backed ETF) and founded the Relax Estate platform. Mario is dedicated to expanding access to wealth-building tools for underserved communities.

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Connect with Mario Payne: Website: mariopayne.com Company: TOAMS Financial YouTube: Payneful Profits LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/toamsfinancial Location: Jacksonville, Florida

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