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.

The Art of Goodbye: Mastering the Cancellation Funnel to Minimize Churn

Cancellation funnel for reducing customer churn featured image.

For subscription businesses, customer retention is the name of the game. But equally important—and often overlooked—is mastering the art of a well-executed cancellation process. It’s the last impression a customer has with your brand, and it can significantly impact their likelihood to return or refer others to your service. This is where cancellation funnels can […]

Licensing Business Model: A B2B Revenue Model to Supplement Subscriptions

"Licensing revenue model" and "the next evolution for subscription businesses" overlayed on top of a laptop and people's arms.

In the digital era, the subscription business model has become a cornerstone for many companies across industries, providing a predictable, recurring revenue stream and cementing long-term relationships with customers. From streaming platforms to software providers, subscriptions have reshaped how businesses approach customer engagement and revenue generation. But as business landscapes evolve, so do models for […]

These Industries REQUIRE High Risk Credit Card Processing

High risk payment processing industries

Not all businesses are treated equally by payment processors. High-risk businesses are subjected to stricter monitoring due to the higher risk of chargebacks and fraud. But not every merchant knows if they’re high risk or not. If your Stripe account was recently terminated or your merchant account application has been repeated denied, it’s because you […]

Stripe Is Too Expensive! Stripe Fees Breakdown + Alternatives

Stripe is too expensive as a payment processor for most online businesses

Stripe fees eating into your profits? This article breaks down Stripe pricing, Stripe transaction fees, and the hidden costs most merchants miss. Learn how much Stripe charges per payment, how Stripe rates compare to competitors like PayPal and Square, and discover alternatives that could lower your Stripe payment processing fees.

The Impact of the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 on Crypto Traders

Cryptocurrency coins, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, standing in front of a gavel and book.

The dawn of a new era for cryptocurrency traders in the United Kingdom has arrived with the amendment of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. This milestone legislation, which has received Royal Assent from King Charles, ushers in a progressive regulatory framework, defining and recognizing cryptocurrency trading as a regulated financial activity. As digital […]