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 Top Co-Marketing Strategies for Credit Repair Businesses in 2023

Two men shaking hands in a business deal.

As a credit repair business owner, you might often find yourself searching for new ways to expand your reach, increase your credibility, and ultimately, attract more clients. One approach that has proven successful for many businesses is to explore partnership opportunities and co-marketing strategies. By aligning with other reputable companies within or adjacent to the […]

Reviving Direct Mail Marketing Strategies for the Digital Age

Arrows hitting the bullseye of a sandbag labeled "Direct Mail Advertising"

In today’s fast-paced digital world, email marketers are constantly seeking innovative ways to stand out in the crowded inboxes of their target audience. One strategy that has proven successful over the years is direct mail marketing. With its roots in the pre-internet era, direct mail marketing has consistently shown the ability to capture recipients’ attention […]

How to Prep for a Retail Slowdown and Maximize Gains

Clock drawn on a chalkboard at 11:55 with the text "Time to Adapt" written above.

As we all know, the retail industry can be full of surprises, and sometimes those surprises come in the form of a slowdown. Be it an economic downturn, a temporary downturn, or even a pandemic, these challenging times can have a significant impact on our businesses. And as we get further into Q2, retail slowdowns […]

“Stripe Holding My Money!” — How to Get Your Withheld Funds Back

Stripe logo over a man's face inside a safe holding cash dollars.

“Help! Stripe is holding my money!” If you’ve logged into your Stripe dashboard and your payments aren’t available, take a deep breath. You’re not alone — this happens to thousands of merchants every year. Stripe can withhold 10% to 25% of every transaction, freeze your entire balance, or hold funds for 90 to 180 days […]