- This Ain't Our First Rodeo -

Welcome to an old dirt road I like to call ‘The Yellow Brick Road’. If you click your boots 3 times you will find The Wizard of This Damn ole’ Rodeo.

 My name is Laurel Mayo-Baucom. I am 31 and still learnin’. I could give you a list of my higher achievements and tell you how darlin’ I am. 

But that ain’t what you came here for. I will be the first to tell you, I am not an expert. I am always learning and growing. 

The truth is, when it concerns being a Woman in this cruel world of Business, it’s a fight to the death. 

I tell ya what, though, it’s been a hell of a ride.

In order to make it to ‘The Rodeo’ you have to master your craft.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. 

Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
― Mark Twain

Leaders, ‘The Greats’, teach others they too, can be great.

My teachers: & Their Background

Dave Mayo – The Co-Founder of The FinTegration Ecosystem, The saving grace of ‘Banker’s Helping Bankers’, 

CEO of FedFis, 

pre-requisites: Worked on the first accounting software, Quickbooks. Then brought his expertise to Sheshunoff to build the first Bank financial data software. Fast-forward 20+ years he is now today what I refer to as ‘One of The Greats’

What I truly learned from him, though, is how to overcome despite the odds.

 He became the first of his family to ever graduate college much less high school. 

The first of his family to Lead, 

without having ‘One of The Greats’ to show him how. 

He did, however, learn grit and strength from an old cowboy, my grandfather 

who as he would say ‘He Did It His Way’

My Grandfather schooled the best of the best without a diploma, built a computer from scratch, & shook the hand of 

The President of The United States. 

    My big brother, Tanner Mayo, who we call ‘Rooster’ earned his name at the age of 5 

beating the hell out of a damn Rooster with a baseball bat. Because the Rooster challenged him. 

Fast-forward to career world, he began as a Data analyst at Financial Information Systems. Later, he joined Malauzai to build the first mobile banking apps; leading in areas including: sales, partnerships, and relationship mgmt. There he delivered over 600 banks and built 3rd party integrations/partnerships to over 350 endpoints – the most extensive FinTech partner ecosystems ever created. Now Founder of FedFis and The Fintegration Ecosystem, Banker’s Helping Banker’s, Co-Founder of The Roundup (conference).

These are just a small list of inventions and efforts made to help save Community Banks. 

 Tippin' My Hat to

The FinTech Cowboys. 

The day 'FinTech Cowboys' was born, not long after, at our first conference ‘The Roundup’ in 2018, 

My Mom and I wanted to create 

'The FinTech Cowgirls.'

But just like all great things in life,

They take time.

The first question I asked myself when I first started my career,

 “When is it ok to raise my hand?”

From the beginning of my adolescent life, I was told no, told to sit down and be quiet. 

Listen, but wait until you are called upon. 

I am here to tell you, that is the hardest part. 

Learning when it is your turn.

When I was fifteen I was asked by my high school ‘folder teacher’

 “Do You Think You’ll be able to get a job one day? 

Do you think you’ll be able to drive a car? Do you think you’ll Graduate?”

I was diagnosed with a ‘Learning Disability’ at 13 years old and if that combo doesn’t crush you as a teenage girl, 

in a world full of ‘Mean Girls’ and powerful successful Men, 

then all I got for you is ‘Bless Your Heart’.

When I was in middle school I told the ‘Mean Girls’ I was going to Paris. 

‘They’ laughed me out of the lunch table all the way to my first flight to Paris 2 years later.

My dad, one of the greats in the business world, asked me 

"What do you plan to do with those dreams of yours?

You want to go to Paris? Here’s a plane ticket, you got it. 

Or do you want to prove them wrong, and do it yourself?"

Rule #1: You need a road map. 

So I built one, and the key I found in the middle of it, was the light at the end of the tunnel. 

I worked minimum wage for 2 years, saved every paycheck, missed out on the extra-curriculars etc; every weekend.

I learned Discipline.

I told myself, 

'There’s someone out there working harder trying to beat me to it.

 I am going to out-work them, I am going to get there, no matter how rough the road gets.'

I failed every math test, I barely graduated high school, but when I got to the finish line, ready to call it quits

'The Yellow Brick Road’, opened up.

The University of Oklahoma, where I was told ‘The Champions’ are born. 

That was the next Dream, I was going to make a reality.

So after getting accepted into ‘The Euro Study Abroad Program’ at Oklahoma Christian aka where God showed me grace. 

I found myself. 

I saw my GPA go from barely eligible for any college, to enrolling into my dream school. 

About the time the bells were ringing, and my heart could sing 'Boomer Sooner'

‘They’ asked me if I really could graduate from college. Much less, The University of Oklahoma.

 ‘They’ hastily anticipated my downfall as life got even more bumpy.

What no one likes to talk about in business is their shortcomings. Especially in their personal life. 

Before they became 'The Greats'

The ‘Real-World’ challenges tried to pull me down, and at 22 years old, I learned some hard lessons. 

But just like all other challenges, when we get lost, we must ride on.

I referred to my Road Map once more.

About the time I thought the road had ended, I saw 2 pathways open up. 

An old elder ran into me the day OU lost to Ohio State, 

he cleverly said to me 

"Of all the gin joints, in all the small towns in the world... 

You can go Left, the direction you’ve turned already, 

or you can kick it back into gear and go Right."

He then proceeded to tell me, 

"I have seen Who You Are Going to be one day. 

But I have also seen this road you are currently on and where it ends."

When you live your life for others, instead of for yourself, you know the plans they got for you? Not Much.

After a few Spicy Margaritas at Chimy's

I finally asked this elder of mine, 

“How do I go the Right way, when it’s so comfortable where I am right now? 

How do I break my own heart all over again, and still have the strength to walk across that stage to get my diploma without my heart?”

The elder, I then realized, was in fact The Wizard.

He winked at me and said, 

"There’s an ole gal, my friend Glenda. She will help show you the way." 

When I found Her, I asked her 

"How do I become A Powerful, Strong Woman? Like You.

A successful & confident woman in Business.

& How do I get my heart back?"

She took my hand, and smiled at me and said,

‘My Dear, You’ve Had The Power All Along’.

Glenda, aka, My powerful Mom, 

Lisa Mayo

I walked across the stage, got my ticket to the world.

Now I sit here, at the same table telling My Story, the same table where ‘The Greats’

Dave and Tanner Mayo came up with the ‘FinTegration Ecosystem’ and started FedFis, who then became known as The FinTech Cowboys.

I graduated from my dream school, I wrote my first book, I traveled to Paris 7 times,

& I learned how to become a conference coordinator

‘The Roundup’ from The FinTech Cowgirl – Lisa Mayo

The woman behind The Brand. 

My mom taught me Patience, Creativity, and Strength.

A woman who would never admit or take credit for all the work she has done, including her role at FedFis. 

The Interior Designer, The Flower Girl, The Artist… but also the CFO at FedFis who runs the books and created The Playbook for The Roundup. 

Yes, She was the first person in charge of the vendors, the schedule, the signs, the creative concepts of design. 

The first coordinator of The Roundup.

My mentor who then showed me the ropes on becoming the next Conference Coordinator of 'The Roundup'.

Behind the scenes, this is the woman behind the curtain.

She is humble and full of grace in the eye of the storm. 

She is Me. 

To be a FinTech Cowgirl,

It's not about being better than, or who has the most shiny resume on paper.

You first have to learn to wait your turn. You must work for it. 

Become self-reliant.

Honor your roles in the world with Grace, Dignity and Class

If you want to be ‘The Best of Them’,

You can’t get there by allowing others to do the work for you. 

Earn it. 

Pay attention and listen to your teachers.

You grow through what you learn through, and without the challenges, you will never truly become.

When asked where she found the courage to stand up in front of the world

unashamed, unafraid,

She pointed to her heart and said, ‘Right Here’.

May the journey be rocky, and rough.

 May you turn Right, after going Left for too long. 

Regardless of where the road takes you,

Keep Going.

Because that is where the real grit is built. 

To have made it this far, is truly a gift.

Life, the power of Free-Will

That is the greatest gift of all.

Time to Saddle Up, Cowgirls.

Let’s Run This Rodeo!

With Love, & Gratitude,

-  The FinTech Cowgirls –