From Army Finance Sergeant to Creating the First African American-Owned AI-Backed ETF

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 explores what inspired Mario to leave traditional financial firms and build an independent practice, how his military experience shaped his approach to financial planning, and why he's dedicated to closing the wealth gap through education and innovation. Mario has created multiple game-changing initiatives including LETB (the first African American-owned, AI-backed Exchange-Traded Fund), the Relax Estate (an AI- powered estate planning platform), and Payneful Profits (a YouTube channel breaking down complex economic trends for everyday investors).

Mario shares the realities of building a rare African American-owned RIA firm, the barriers he's overcome in an industry that lacks diversity, and why he refuses to gatekeep financial information. He reveals how AI and technology are leveling the playing field for retail investors, the importance of estate planning for generational wealth, and why community involvement through boards like Jacksonville Public Library and Tennessee State University Foundation is inseparable from his business mission. Through House Wars, his real estate revitalization initiative, Mario is turning neglected properties into homes and giving lower-income families access to homeownership they thought was out of reach.

Key Topics Explored: Serving as a Financial Sergeant during Operation Enduring Freedom and managing soldiers' finances in unpredictable conditions, the journey from Edward Jones to launching an independent SEC-registered RIA in 2013, what TOAMS stands for: "Tithes Offering Alms Means Stewardship" and the faith foundation behind the firm, being part of the less than 2% of African American advisors with CFP® certification, co-creating LETB - the first African American-owned, AI-backed ETF and the Let Bob investment platform, launching Relax Estate - making estate planning accessible and affordable through AI automation, Payneful Profits YouTube channel - democratizing financial education and breaking down market trends, appearing in Forbes and Cheddar News to share market analysis and investment insights, House Wars real estate initiative - neighborhood revitalization and creating homeownership opportunities, serving on multiple boards including Jacksonville Public Library and Tennessee State University Foundation, and why financial independence should be a right accessible to everyone, not a privilege for the wealthy.

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: Website: mariopayne.com YouTube: Payneful Profits LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/toamsfinancial

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