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PODCAST
Hosted by Maria Sparagis, president of DirectPayNet, and payment solutions expert for entrepreneurs in the high risk industries of supplements, dating, business opportunities, gambling and more. On this podcast, Maria shares her knowledge on how to reduce decline ratios, add thousands of dollars to your bottom line with a few simple conversion hacks, and maximize revenue while keeping your high-risk merchant accounts happy and healthy. As a cryptocurrency advocate since 2012, Maria will also share her knowledge on the digital currency markets.
Maria has worked with several high level entrepreneurs in Direct Marketing including Christian Hudson, Julian Reyes, Jeremy Schoemaker “ShoeMoney”, Mike Chang and many more.
She has been featured in American Banker, Vice, Inside Bitcoins, Coindesk, and Yahoo.
Connect with Maria mariasparagis.com or directpaynet.com
Recession-Proof Your Business in 2025
Worried about the looming recession and how it might impact your online business? In this episode, we're diving deep into recession-proof strategies for e-commerce and direct response brands.
I’m joined by Alex to explore how businesses can thrive, not just survive, during economic uncertainty.
We cover:
✅ Why building a brand matters more than ever in 2025
✅ How micro-influencers can boost conversions and protect your PR
✅ Must-know payment trends: Buy Now, Pay Later, Apple Pay, ACH & more
✅ How to avoid chargebacks and reduce refund rates during downturns
✅ Mobile vs. desktop checkout optimization tips that really move the needle
✅ Whether you should be spending more on ads during a recession
✅ Smart pricing strategies amidst global tariff uncertainty
Whether you're running an e-commerce shop, coaching business, supplement brand, or selling digital products, this episode is packed with real-world tactics to stay ahead in a slowing economy.
💬 Got a question or a challenge you're facing? Drop it in the comments—your question might shape a future episode.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more insider tips on scaling smart in 2025.
💸 Stripe’s NEW Dispute Fees Are Outrageous — What You *Must* Know to Protect Your Business
Stripe just changed the game — and not in a good way. Business owners now face a $30 fee to fight disputes, and if you let Stripe’s “Smart Disputes” AI win them for you, they’ll keep 30% of the recovered amount. Seriously.
In this episode, I pull no punches, breaking down why Stripe's new policy is deeply predatory, how it's forcing sellers into a lose-lose scenario, and what you can do to protect your profits.
👉 You’ll learn:
* Why Stripe doubled the dispute fee from $15 to $30 — even if you win
* How their Smart Disputes AI takes 30% of recovered funds (yes, really)
* Whether you should fight disputes manually or let AI handle it (and what it’ll cost you)
* Practical strategies to improve your win rate and avoid disputes in the first place
* Proof you need to gather (contracts, IP logs, delivery receipts, etc.)
* Why Stripe’s AI may *fail* you — and how to fight back
* Alternatives to Stripe with real human support
🧠 Whether you're running a 6-figure store or scaling past 7, this episode delivers hard truth, actionable tips, and clear guidance on navigating Stripe’s increasingly automated and costly system.
📩 Want my full chargeback-fighting guide? Drop a comment or reach out via [email protected].
🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to stay ahead of the curve in fintech, e-commerce, and digital sales strategy.
0:00 Intro
0:30 Stripe’s 30% Take and New Dispute Rules
4:49 What Businesses Do WRONG About Disputes
8:50 How to WIN a Dispute
14:13 Best Stripe Alternatives
18:00 Outro
HOW TO PREVENT DISPUTES: https://youtu.be/ZpsuSibwbPg
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
