Ross Mac is a man on a mission.
The Chicago native is recognized as one of today’s most influential financial educators. Through his brand, Maconomics, which features a digital content series that blends education and entertainment, Ross is able to offer digestible and relatable financial education to those traditionally underserved by the financial industry.
After graduating from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Mac went on to work on Wall Street, where he honed his expertise on Morgan Stanley’s coveted sales and trading desk. His career journey brought him back home to Chicago, where he joined GCM Grosvenor, a leader in alternative asset management with over $75 billion in assets. The move back to Chicago helped Ross reconnect with his roots and sent him down a path of service.
Presently, Maconomics has evolved into a production company that successfully bridges Wall Street and Main Street, making finance accessible to the masses. His work has resulted in content partnerships with Revolt TV, BET, Complex, and The Street, as well as educational content production for companies such as SoFi and EarlyBird.
Ross is also a contributor on Yahoo Finance and has been featured across numerous outlets, including Forbes, CNBC, Bloomberg, ABC, Chicago Sun-Times, and Black Enterprise. He was also recognized as a McDonald’s Game Changer, enabling him to provide financial education to the nation’s top high school athletes who play in the McDonald’s All-American game.
Up next for the young financial guru is his upcoming third annual Maconomics Wealth Summit on July 18th – 20th. The three-day event, themed “Secure The Bag, Scale The Vision,” will feature a series of panel discussions and networking workshops focusing on financial empowerment, philanthropy, and building generational wealth.
Speakers at this year’s summit will include NBA star Antoine Walker, actor Cortez Smith (The Chi), Korporate, Jemal the King, Tiffany Aliche (aka The Budgetnista), Sekou Kaalund, SVP of US Bank, and more.
“Ross Mac’s dedication to financial literacy is not just commendable, it’s transformative for our community,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I am profoundly proud of the pioneering work Ross is doing to empower and educate, setting a foundation for generational prosperity“.
N’DIGO recently sat down with the impassioned financial expert to learn more about his Maconomics brand and the hidden talent that could still lead to another career behind the mic.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Ross Mac?
Ross Mac: A financial educator, content creator, and advocate for economic empowerment. I’m someone who’s passionate about helping people, especially those from underserved communities, understand money in a real and relatable way. I blend my Wall Street background with my South Side of Chicago roots to bridge the gap between finance and culture.
What are three words family and friends would use to describe you?
Altruistic. Empowering. Visionary.
As a child, what was the job you dreamed you would do as an adult?
Funny enough, I thought I was going to be a rapper or a basketball player. But deep down, I always wanted to be someone who could impact my community in a big way. I didn’t know back then that finance would be the path, but it makes perfect sense now. But don’t get it confused, I’m still one of the nicest rappers living.
How did you become interested in the inner workings of finance? Take us through that process.
I was always entrepreneurial my whole life: From selling candy on the school bus in 3rd grade to throwing the biggest high school parties in Chicago. I then ended up going to Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania, and it opened my eyes. I saw classmates talking about the stock market and internships on Wall Street. I didn’t grow up around that language, but once I caught on, I was hooked. Eventually, I worked on Wall Street at Morgan Stanley and later at a hedge fund. But I knew the real mission was bringing this knowledge back to people who never had access to it.
Can you talk a little about your work as a contributor to the Yahoo Finance team?
I’m honored to bring a unique voice to Yahoo Finance through my show, Maconomics. I break down complex financial topics in a digestible way—whether it’s investing, budgeting, crypto, or building generational wealth. My goal is to make the information accessible to everybody, not just folks with finance degrees.
Please tell us more about Maconomics, the brand, and the digital series.
Maconomics is a financial literacy brand that lives across TV, social media, live events, and digital platforms. It started as a video series and grew into a movement. Whether I’m explaining Roth IRAs on TikTok or teaching kids about compound interest from the back seat of my car with my kids, the mission stays the same: make financial education fun, easy, and culture-forward.
What are some of the things attendees can look forward to at your upcoming Maconomics Wealth Summit?
We’re bringing together some of the most brilliant minds in money, business, and entrepreneurship. There’ll be panels on investing, real estate, retirement planning, and even conversations about financial therapy and legacy planning. It’s a weekend full of education, inspiration, and community. And we get to cap off the weekend with the craziest yacht party along Lake Michigan under the fireworks and a basketball game with Chicago’s biggest celebrities.
Do you have a personal philosophy or motto in regards to saving and investing?
Let your money work harder for you than you do for it. Every dollar should have a job. Whether it’s growing through investing or being used to eliminate debt, idle money is a wasted opportunity.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m the best rapper alive.
Best advice about finances you’ve ever been given?
“Live below your means so you can invest above your dreams.” It’s not about how much you make—it’s about how much you keep and grow.
Best advice to beginners about finance that you can give?
Start now, start small, and stay consistent. Don’t wait to be perfect. Build the habit of saving and investing—because time in the market beats timing the market. The best time to plant a tree was 21 years ago….the second-best time to plant the tree is today!
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“Don’t just make money—make a difference.” That’s what drives me every day.
What’s next for Ross Mac?
My goal is to scale Maconomics into the leading financial literacy platform for culture. I’m working on new media projects, expanding our digital university, and building tools and apps that make financial education practical. We have more major partnerships brewing and a few start-ups in the FinTech space.
For more information on Ross Mac and the 3rd Annual Maconomics Wealth Summit, please visit www.maconomics.com and feel free to connect with Ross on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Youtube.com
