Author: Maria Sparagis

Maria Sparagis is President of DirectPayNet, where she's spent over 20 years helping businesses scale to six-, seven-, and eight-figure revenue through optimized payment processing. She works hands-on with business owners to solve merchant account challenges, reduce processing costs, and implement payment strategies that support real growth. Maria is a regular speaker at fintech conferences and writes about practical approaches that help businesses break through revenue plateaus.

GHL SaaS Mode Improves Checkout with Authorize.net and NMI

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GoHighLevel has improved its SaaS Mode by expanding beyond Stripe to include NMI, Authorize.net, and Square as payment processors. This game-changing update transforms how agencies and businesses can manage their subscription-based services and recurring billing needs. For years, businesses faced a significant limitation – they could only process recurring payments through Stripe. Now, agencies can […]

There’s Still Room in the ED Meds Online Marketplace

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The erectile dysfunction treatment market is alive and well with plenty of room for new players. While digital health companies have revolutionized access to ED medications, they’ve also revealed significant opportunities for innovation and market expansion. Our analysis below looks at how new players can enter and compete in this fast-changing field. We focus on […]

FTC Business Opportunity Rule Takes Down Another Scam

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The Federal Trade Commission just shut down a big e-commerce scheme that took millions from hopeful entrepreneurs. The case exposes how certain operators manipulated dreams of financial independence into a $12 million nightmare for thousands of consumers. As legitimate business opportunity providers, you must distinguish yourselves from these harmful practices. The FTC’s action demonstrates their […]

Stripe Interchange Plus Offering (and Its Hidden Costs)

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Stripe offers two pricing models — its default flat rate and a lesser-known interchange plus option. Most merchants never realize they’re overpaying. Learn how interchange plus pricing works, how Stripe handles it, why Shopify makes it harder to switch, and what alternatives can save your business thousands in processing fees.

Blockchain Cross-Border Payments Are the Future

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Despite rapid advancements in tech, cross-border transactions often remain frustratingly slow, expensive, and opaque. But there is something promising on the horizon: blockchain cross border payments. Traditional banking systems have long struggled to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals engaged in international transactions. Users frequently face lengthy processing times, exorbitant fees, and a […]