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.

“Stripe Holding My Money!” — Simple Solution

The global recession and economic crisis. the complexities of economic, featuring individuals and businesses adapting, strategizing, and striving for stability.

“Help! Stripe is holding my money!” If you’ve just logged into your Stripe dashboard and noticed your payments aren’t available, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. Many new business owners face payment holds when they start accepting online payments. While it’s scary to see your money stuck, these holds are actually a normal part […]

X’s “Everything App” and Tik Tok Marketing in 2025

Blank screen of smartphone with like love and emotion icon for social media marketing concept by 3d render.

TikTok, with its 170 million American users, faces an uncertain future after its Supreme Court ban. Meanwhile, X partners with Visa to launch X Money, a comprehensive payment system rolling out across 41 U.S. states. Musk’s “everything app” combines social media, e-commerce, and financial services. But is it worthwhile for businesses? TikTok’s potential exit creates […]

How Online Retailers Can Win Gen Z in 2025

A man's hands holding a smart phone under the vivid color.

Think you know Gen Z’s shopping habits? You might be surprised. While this generation practically lives on their phones, they’re making a shift toward in-store shopping experiences, especially for beauty products and luxury items. Gen Z commands $360 billion in disposable income and influences an additional $600 billion in household spending. They’re not just digital […]

Bad Business Models That Didn’t Survive 2024

A business man visibly upset looking at a graph that is on decline.

Remember when everyone and their cousin wanted to start a dropshipping business in 2020? I cringe thinking about all those “guru” courses promising overnight millions. But here’s the thing, e-commerce has done a complete 180 since those early pandemic days. And some of those “can’t-fail” business models have, well… failed spectacularly. The e-commerce landscape has […]

High Ticket Affiliate Marketing – Is It Worth It in 2025?

Light bulb on a black background wiht the words "AFFILIATE MARKETING" inside

High ticket affiliate marketing means promoting expensive products or services that usually cost $1,000 or more. You can earn commissions ranging from 10% to 50% for each sale. Instead of focusing on high-volume sales of low-cost items, this marketing approach emphasizes quality over quantity. This allows marketers to generate significant income from fewer transactions. The […]