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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
The Brutal Truth About Hiring: 97% Failed This Simple Test
In this episode, Alex and get into the wild world of hiring — and what happens when 350 people apply for a job... but only eight follow simple instructions.
Whether you're a job seeker wondering why you're not landing interviews, or a small business owner trying to avoid the chaos of recruiting, this conversation offers raw insights, real numbers, and a surprisingly effective hiring hack that saved thousands in recruiter fees.
💡 Topics Covered:
- Why 97% of job applicants failed instantly
- The simple test that filtered 350 applicants
- Why younger candidates may be more coachable than experienced ones
- How to find great hires without a recruiter
- Advice for job seekers on standing out in a competitive market
🚀 Whether you're building a business or building your career, this episode will change how you approach the hiring process — and maybe even how you write your next job application.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts on today’s topic!
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.
