Author: Maria Sparagis

As President of DirectPayNet, I make it my mission to help merchants find the best payment solutions for their online business, especially if they are categorized as high-risk merchants. I help setup localized payments modes and have tons of other tricks to increase sales! I am an avid traveler, conference speaker and love to attend any event that allows me to learn about technology. I am fascinated by anything related to digital currency especially Bitcoin and the Blockchain.

Using BNPL to Survive the Tariff and De Minimis Storm

One businessman handing a wad of cash to another businessman

The economy right now is a minefield for businesses. New tariffs, the removal of the de minimis rule, and shifting supply chains have sent costs soaring and consumer confidence plummeting. A slightly silver lining is available, however. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and payment installment plans are two payment options that can help you weather […]

Visa VAMP Changes Chargeback Management, Business Killer

Two credit cards displaying the VISA logo

Visa’s bombshell announcement will forever change how European merchants manage their fraud and dispute ratios. The new Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) counts TC40 fraud alerts resolved through Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR) toward your VAMP ratio. High-risk merchants and subscription businesses are warned. MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE What’s Changing with VAMP? Visa initially created VAMP to consolidate […]

Capital One-Discover Merger: What It Means for Business

Credit cards

The recent approval of Capital One’s acquisition of Discover Financial Services is the first of its kind. With federal regulators giving the green light and the deal expected to close on May 18, 2025, merchants across the country are wondering how this merger will affect their businesses. As someone with expertise in payment processing, I […]

Your #1 Hidden Revenue Goldmine Is Payment Processing

Man wearing a denim shirt standing in front of a blackboard that has a white chalk illustration of steps leading to a $. An arrow with a stick figure man points up the steps.

You’re a business owner, you accept payments, but I bet you have not once considered payment processing as a growth tactic. Little known fact: payment processing is one of the most underutilized growth opportunities for any businesses of any size. While companies spend fortunes on marketing and sales, many lose 10%+ of their monthly revenue […]

Terpenes: What Every Online Business Owner Needs to Know

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CBD has so many potential benefits, it’s no wonder we discover (or develop) something new with it every year. This time, terpenes are the new focal point. Terpenes are aromatic compounds offering businesses a brand new set of opportunities for product development and marketing. Let’s explore everything you need to know about terpenes, from sources […]