Ever saved someone millions of dollars only to get a pizza party as a thank you?
That’s exactly what happened to Mario Payne.
Fresh out of college, Mario landed a job at General Electric. Within months, he uncovered inefficiencies in the financial department that ended up saving the company $4.5 million (which, adjusted for inflation, is closer to $18 million today).
His reward? A pizza party. No promotion. No raise. Just pizza.
That moment became Mario’s turning point. He realized he didn’t want to spend his career making millions for corporations while his own potential sat capped. Instead, he decided to bet on himself—a decision that led him to become a licensed financial advisor, Certified Financial Planner, Army veteran, and eventually the founder of TOAMS Financial and the author of The Relaxed Investor.
From Corporate Burnout to “The Relaxed Investor”
Mario didn’t step into entrepreneurship with a perfectly laid-out plan. He described it as being “thrown into the fire.”
After leaving GE, he joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor in late 2007—just before the 2008 recession hit. While veteran advisors panicked as portfolios dipped, Mario’s fresh approach actually helped clients weather the storm better. That experience taught him a powerful lesson:
👉 You can’t always time your destiny. But you’d better be ready when opportunity comes knocking.
Over the years, Mario built one of the largest Black-owned financial firms in the U.S., helping individuals and families not just grow their wealth, but also keep it.
And that’s where his signature philosophy comes in: RELAX.
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R – Research: Dig into the details before making financial decisions.
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E – Evaluate: Look at your options carefully.
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L – Locate: Identify the right opportunities.
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A – Analyze: Check your own mindset. How will you feel if this investment succeeds or fails?
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X – eXecute: Take action. Most people stop here.
This became the foundation of his book, The Relaxed Investor, which went on to become an international bestseller. He didn’t write it in a fancy office. He recorded voice notes after conversations with clients, later working with his VA to transcribe and shape them into a book. The result? Real stories, real lessons, and a method anyone can follow.
Redefining Financial Advice: More Than Stocks & Bonds
When most people hear “financial advisor,” they picture stock tips and investment portfolios. But as Mario points out, that’s only half the story.
Many advisors focus only on investments, but Mario believes true wealth building also means focusing on tax strategy.
“We could make a lot of money, but if the IRS gets most of it, how does that help our pocketbook? It doesn’t.”
That’s why his team emphasizes tax planning, real estate strategies, and wealth acceleration programs, not just the market. By helping clients legally minimize taxes, they keep more of their earnings and build wealth faster.
His sweet spot? W-2 earners making $100k+ and business owners earning $50k+, because that’s when the tax code starts to open up real opportunities.
Scaling with AI + Personal Touch
Mario isn’t just transforming finances, he’s also transforming how financial advice is delivered.
At TOAMS Financial, AI isn’t a buzzword, it’s part of the standard operating procedure. From automated estate planning documents to personalized birthday videos generated by AI tools, Mario’s team uses technology to save time, cut costs, and add unexpected personal touches that clients love.
Instead of spending thousands on attorneys for every trust and will, his AI-powered system collects client information, merges it with attorney-reviewed templates, and produces customized documents at a fraction of the cost.
The extra time saved? His team reinvests it into what really matters: coaching clients, building community, and celebrating their wins.
The Bigger Vision
When asked what he’d do if he could clone himself hundreds of times, Mario didn’t talk about more money or more businesses. He talked about access to information.
If every person—whether in rural America, Africa, or Asia—had internet access, he believes they’d have a fair shot at financial literacy, smarter decisions, and even opportunities like investing in Bitcoin before it’s too late.
Because for Mario, wealth isn’t just about numbers. It’s about empowerment. It’s about giving people the tools and knowledge to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Final Thought
At the end of our conversation, Mario left us with this:
“Experts may cost more upfront. But amateurs will cost you way more in the long run. Always learn from people who already have the life you want.”
And that’s the heart of The Relaxed Investor: stop chasing the grind, stop reacting to every market swing, and start building wealth with clarity, confidence, and calm.
Watch the full episode here.
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