September 10th, 2020 by Admin
There are few moments like now where American consumers are collectively open to the idea of new payment methods – especially contactless ones such as mobile wallets. This is good news for businesses since mobile wallets offer a safer payment alternative to credit cards and drastically reduce customer wait times at checkout.
Mobile wallets (such as Apple Pay and PayPal) use authentication, monitoring and data encryption to secure and transmit personal information, and the level of security associated with them has payment card issuers backing their use. This is certainly helping drive consumer adoption, as does convenience.
In fact, global mobile wallet transaction value is estimated to reach nearly $14 trillion by 20201 – and that is a pre-COVID-19 estimate. New estimates are higher and point to further rapid adoption given the current need for touch-free payment options. According to a recently published Visa Back to Business report,* 70 percent of consumers surveyed in June 2020 have used a new shopping or payment method for the first time this year.
A rapid shift has begun and the numbers tell the storySo what is holding back business adoption of mobile wallets? Until recently, it just wasn’t a priority for many small- and medium-size businesses to enable it or educate their employees on its use. The lack of preferential demand didn’t make it a pressing topic. But that is changing. Consider this:
- According to Forbes,2 by 2026, digital natives will be 59 percent of the consumers in the U.S. market.
- Of this, 45 percent will be specifically Millennials and Gen Z, representing the largest purchasing power.
- As Gen Z move into becoming the largest generation cohort, their purchasing power will be $143 billion.
But it’s not just what lies ahead that SMBs should be focused on now.
According to Visa’s Back to Business report, shoppers are now putting COVID-19 safety measures at the top of their shopping lists and they will reward stores that do the same. In fact, if all other factors were equal (price, selection, location), nearly 63 percent of consumers surveyed would switch to a new store that installed contactless payment options, such as mobile wallets.3
What does this mean for you? Now is the time to connect with customers to make sure they are fully contactless capable and have the technology in place to accept many of the most popular mobile wallets.
1Payments Industry Intelligence, “The rise of digital and mobile wallet: Global usage statistics from 2018,” November 25, 2018.
2Forbes, January 2020
3Visa Back to Business report 2020
Posted in Digital Wallet Privacy, e-commerce & m-commerce, Electronic Payments, Internet Payment Gateway, Mobile Payments, Uncategorized Tagged with: business, digital payment, digital payments, Digital Wallet, Digital wallets, mobile, mobile commerce, Mobile Devices, mobile payment, Mobile Payments, mobile wallet, mobile wallets, payment, payments
September 9th, 2020 by Admin
It started off as a favor, “Can I bring my puppy, Baxter to work today?” And in the days that followed, everyone kept asking, where is Baxter? So he started making an appearance at the office a few days a week. Now, I can’t leave home without him. He knows the morning routine and as soon as he hears the car keys, he is waiting at the door. When we get to the office, he makes a bee line into every office to see who is here. He greets you as if he has never seen you before, so excited and happy, it can’t help but put a smile on your face. I mean seriously, do you get greeted by anyone in your office with such positive energy? The difference in the office atmosphere when Baxter is here, is incredible. The moral is much higher, the motivation of the sales team has increased and the boss is much calmer. But beware when you enter, he we might look cute and sweet but he will surely greet you at the door with a loud excited vocal bark and crazy twitching tail. And be cautious of where you step as the office floor is now covered in toys and treats. We are not sure who has more fun, the employees playing catch on breaks, or Baxter chasing the balls or toy squirrels up and down the halls. When things are busy, he knows to lay low, but when it’s time for Lunch, you better watch out, he will be glued by your side. When tension in the office gets high, Baxter will zero in on you and demand your attention, as if he knows petting him, will soothe the mood and ease the tension. It is a win win for us all. He might not be a “Certified Therapy Pet”, but in our office, he most certainly deserves the title of “Therapy Pet”.
Posted in Daily Inspiration, Uncategorized Tagged with: business, motivation, therapy pet, work environment
November 21st, 2018 by Admin
We care about our clients and are happy to hear from them, we were able to sit down with one of them and hear their story. Let’s get some Monday motivation and meet Kash Patel from Baryia Travel.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview, it is an honor. Since we know you are taking time away from your busy schedule let’s get started. Tell us about yourself and your business.
I founded Baryia Travel in 1991 and have been designing luxury travel packages for individuals to small groups! We specialize in South Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, Cook Island and Hawaii), Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and the Indian Ocean Islands), and Luxury Cruises (ocean and River). I am a Premium Aussie, Kiwi, Kenya and Fundi (South Africa) Specialist and certified by respective countries Tourism Commissions! I have also completed certification offered by Silver Seas, Uniworld River Cruises, among the major cruise lines. Our expertise include romance (honeymoons, destination weddings, etc.) adventure, and sports (golf, tennis, etc.) travel.
Thank you so much for sharing. Tell us, has the journey been smooth or have there been some bumps along the way?
The journey has been anything but smooth, but we are still going strong now for about 27 years! Couple years after starting the business, airlines stopped paying commissions to travel agencies, but we survived and since then have learned various lessons as we march forward! Although many bumps in the road, it has been a very pleasant and enjoyable journey!
Please tell us more about Baryia Travel.
Our motto is “Making your dream vacations a reality”. We accomplice this by making sure we understand what they want and design to meet their needs and desire and paying attention to every detail! By working with local tour operators in various countries we make sure they get the best experience!
Wow, that is very interesting, thanks for sharing. What made you decide to open up this business? What are you most passionate about it?
I have been passionate about travel and born and raised in Africa I wanted people to experience this very different continent! One of my first trip after starting my business was Australia and I fell in love with the island continent and since then I have visited South Pacific about 25 times to learn what they have to offer!
Thank you so much for answering all of our questions, before we let you go, is there any tips of advice you would give to other entrepreneurs like yourself?
Listening to customers’ needs and providing superior customer service with attention to details! Provide them off the beaten path experiences!
Share with us how customers can find you.
kash@baryiatravel.com
617-527-4799
We work by appointment only but have flexible hours and can also come to you for a meeting!
It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with Kash Patel, be sure to contact them for your luxury travel needs!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: business, business cards, business travel, entrepreneur, entrepreneur blog, feature, interview, luxury, online travel, travel agency, traveling
November 15th, 2018 by Admin
When you think of starting a business, you often think of making a huge investment: Office, marketing materials, furniture, inventory, etc. The reality is that not all companies need that and not all need an office to start. Here are ten businesses you can start from home now.
1. Web Design: If you have experience building websites or do it as a hobby, do it this one is for you. Website design is in high demand, and although there are Do-It-Yourself sites available, not everyone wants to spend the time doing it. This is where you come in, create a fantastic website, a portfolio with your best work and get started.
2. Virtual Assistant: If you have experience as an Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant or you are just good at the computer this one is perfect for you. With many people working and managing the business online, it is only fit that many entrepreneurs look for virtual admins to help them with everyday tasks. Some might hire you for a short-term/one task kind of project, while others might want to hire you for the long term. Be sure you outline a plan to figure out which type of projects you want and which industries you would want to focus on.
3. eBay Seller: If you have been online, we are sure you or someone you know have heard of Gary Vaynerchuk and his flip challenge. Essentially, you would buy items at a garage sale that you know you can sell for more online. You can try this approach or start by selling books and other things you have already at home, and you don’t use. It is an easy and not complicated way start a side business. Just be sure to abide by their terms of service.
4. Accountant: Do you work as an accountant? Those online businesses and even brick and mortar businesses are always in need of an accountant. Find out competitive rates in your area and reach out to companies that might be in need of your services. Do a good job and good luck!
5. Copywriter: Marketing is significant for any business, writing good copy is essential for this part of the business, and you might be the person who makes a difference in the company’s advertising efforts.
6. Driver: With companies like Uber and Lyft offering ride services, it is easy to start your own ride service business. You can join either of them and get started. Do keep in mind that they do have guidelines when it comes to the vehicles. After all, they are the brand.
7. Consultant: If you are highly knowledgeable about a specific topic and you know there is a demand for this kind of information, you can sell your services as a consultant. Set up a rate and know who your customer will be and get started.
8. Coach: This is another one that pays off when you are good at a specific skill. People can coach in a variety of subjects like Business, Life, work, spirituality and more. For this one, we recommend you get the tools needed by becoming a certified coach, although it is not necessary.
9. Meal Delivery Service: Similar to the ride services, you can deliver food by joining companies like GrubHub, Uber Eats DoorDash. Many companies offer this service, and you can get started as soon as your application is accepted. The benefit, like Uber or Lyft, is that you make your schedule.
10. Social Media: If you are creative like to write and enjoy social media, this might be a good business to start. This is the kind of business that is needed and can compliment a good marketing strategy. Remember to stay on top of trends, news and be willing to learn as this industry changes quickly but can be a rewarding experience.
There are many more businesses you can start home that requires minimal to no investment; we hope this list gives you an idea to get started.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: business, coach, consultant, copywriter, customer, data, driver, ebay, entrepreneur blog, entrepreneurship, lyft, mobile, social media, tips, uber, uber eats, virtual assistant, web design, work from home, writing
November 11th, 2018 by Admin
In honor of Veteran’s day, we wanted to say more than thank you. We want to provide you with some value and hope this article is of help. Here are resources for veterans opening a business.
During the making of this post, we found that one of the best places to start was the US Department of Veteran Affairs. They provide quite a well thought-out a page of resources for veterans. But we wanted to dig in more and post the ones we saw that could serve our readers best.
If you are still in the idea phase and are not sure if entrepreneurship would be the best thing for you and your idea, we invite you to check out the US Small Business Administration website. Here you will be able to see and learn how to prepare a business plan and even how to figure out how much money you need to get your dream started. The SBA is a useful (and free) tool to get started and to keep handy as your business grows.
VBOC: The Veterans Business Outreach Center is a program dedicated to helping transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses looking to start, purchase, or grow a business. The program is located nationwide, and you can find your nearest VBOC center here.
OSDBU’s Vets First Verification Program: Once your business is set up, you can apply for the Vet’s First Verification Program. This program will verify your business and will give you priority in competing for federal government contracts
Once your business is up and running and you get your business verification, you can attend events like the NVSBE to bring approved businesses in touch with federal government contracts.
VA SBA Loans: For many businesses, the only way to start or grow is to get a business loan. Luckily, the SBA offers loan options that can help Veterans. The SBA also offers competitive rates and a plethora of resources to ensure your business succeeds, so we recommend you taking the time to check it out.
There are many resources out there for veterans and business owners alike, but we think this can be a great start to help you look into options as a Veteran and business owner.
We want to take this time to thank you for your service.
Posted in Small Business Improvement Tagged with: business, business loans, business owner, business tips, Department of Veterans Affairs, entrepreneur, loans, small business, small business owner, US, Veteran's Day
November 8th, 2018 by Admin
Starting a Non-Profit can be the best decision for what you want regarding business and giving back, but what does it require? Before you start thinking of how you will handle donations, here are some steps you will need to run a great non-profit organization from the start.
Non-profits require planning just like any other business. You need to know your purpose, direction and whether or not it is the right fit for what you are trying to accomplish. Before you start, you need to ask yourself these questions:
1. What is the primary objective?
2. What audience am I trying to reach?
3. Is opening my organization truly necessary?
4. What is the plan or timeline?
As you begin to think about these question, you will be able to start a draft of your business plan. Having one will help you when it is time to fill out your form 1023 for Tax exemption, to map out a marketing plan and even fundraisers in the near future. Knowing how you are staring and where you are headed will help you make the process a lot smoother.
Another thing to consider is what you require to start. Not only do you need to count the time and effort, but the actual cash you need to start this venture.
The initial costs you must consider are:
1. State filing costs
2. Incorporate Your Nonprofit & Establish Governance
Aside from the costs to start you need to consider and understand the complete paperwork and marketing costs that will require your organization to bring in donors and advocates of your cause. Considering answering these questions:
1. Who are you (organization)?
2. What do you do?
3. What are the benefits of supporting your cause?
4. Why should they (audience) choose you?
5. Why should they believe in you?
Based on these you will be able to build an idea of crucial investors, advocates, and donors that will make your organization prosper.
There are plenty of more things to consider, but these are the necessary steps to get you started on the road of non-for-profit success.
Posted in NTCGives, Small Business Improvement Tagged with: business, business men, donations, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, filing, fundraiser, incorporate, non-profit, organization, taxes
November 4th, 2018 by Admin
The season is upon us. Many take the opportunity to grow or start a business, so here are 51 quotes that can inspire entrepreneurs now.
1. “Stop telling yourself you don’t know what to do. Yes, you do. Listen to your intuition and trust yourself.”
2. “Don’t find customers for your products, find products for your customers.” ~Seth Godin
3. “Stay Positive. Work Hard. Make it Happen”
4. “Discipline is doing what needs to be done even when you don’t want to do it.”
5. “Focus on making yourself better, not on thinking that you are better.”
6. “Entrepreneurs must be willing to be misunderstood for long periods of time.”
7. “Success is when opportunity meets preparation”
8. “Sell the problem you solve, not the product.”
9. “If size mattered, the elephant would be king of the jungle.”
10. “You attract what you are, if you want great, the be great.”
11. “A setback is a setup for a comeback”
12. “When you support a small business, you’re supporting a dream.”
13. “Big things often have small beginnings.”
14. “Look back at where you came from and let yourself feel proud about your progress.”
15. “It always seems impossible until is done.” ~Nelson Mandela
16. “Collaborate with people you can learn from” ~Pharrell
17. “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” ~Warren Buffett
18. “The road to success is always under construction” ~Lily Tomlin
19. “See the possibility, not the problem.
20. “Don’t be busy, be productive”
21. “The key to success is to start before you’re ready”
22. “Always keep your focus on success”
23. “Create a vision that makes you wanna jump out of bed in the morning.”
24. “If the plan doesn’t work change the plan, not the goal.”
25. “Fail often so you can succeed sooner.” ~Tom Kelley
26. “Be the game changer.”
27. “Quality is the best business plan”
28. “Coca-Cola sold 25 bottles in their first year- so whatever you’re going through, it’ll be ok.”
29. “If you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working for it.”
30. “Don’t deliver a product, deliver an experience.”
31. “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”
32. “Set goals. Reach. Repeat.”
33. “Your success can inspire us all. Risk it.”
34. “What you imagine, you create”
35. “New day. New goals. More accomplishments.
36. “Dreams and dedication are a powerful combination.”
37. “If you can learn self-control, you can master anything.”
38. “Excuses will turn your dreams into dust.”
39. “Giving up is the only sure way to fail.”
40. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
41. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
42. “The Distance between your dream and reality is called action.”
43. “Make it happen, shock everyone.”
44. “When you know clearly what you want, you’ll wake up every morning excited about life.”
45. “It all starts with a dream.”
46. “Today they call you crazy; tomorrow they will be calling you boss.”
47. “Life to your legend. Death to your fears.”
48. “Business is more exciting than any game.”
49. “Successful people rarely had an easy past.”
50. “Expect nothing but be prepared for everything.”
51. “Don’t be afraid of making big moves.”
Posted in Daily Inspiration Tagged with: b2b business, boss, bossbabe, business, business owner, e-commerce, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, holidays, inspiration, inspire, quote of the day, quotes
November 1st, 2018 by Admin
We are officially 55 days until Christmas, time to take all of the tricks out of your hat to promote your business. Since we know you will be using social media, here are 30 random holidays you can use to promote your business with their Hashtag.
November 1st:
#ExtraMileDay: Show your customers how you will go the extra mile for them.
November 2nd
#LoveYourLawyerDay: Need we say more? This one is perfect for lawyers or anyone working with them.
#FountainPenDay: If you sell promotional items, this one is for you. It can also work if you want to post the latest contract signed.
#SandwichDay: Even if you don’t own a sandwich shop, Sandwich day can be used to share a more laid back look of your company. Maybe sharing a picture of your last company picnic or lunch will do. Remember to have a good looking picture!
First Sunday of November
#ZeroTaskingDay If you work for a spa or anything that promotes relaxation, this one would be a good one for you!
November 5th
#LoveYourRedHairDay Hairdressers, time to get those finished looks and share them on social media!
#NachosDay Any day is a good day for Nachos, but on Nachos day you can show some humor as a way to connect to your customers. This one is great for restaurants.
November 8th
Guinness World Record Day: #GWRDay: Sharing a fun fact comes a long way in Social Media. Sharing a Guinness World Record that might relate to your industry can attract a new crowd online.
#CappuccinoDay: People love coffee, (search #CoffeeLover, and you’ll see) so why not share Cappuccino Day with your coffee loving crowd. Perfect for the coffee shop owner to the savvy consultant on the go.
November 10th
#SesameStreetDay: If you are in an industry that deals with children, this one is for you. Make the posts funny or just cute but remember you are targeting the parents at the end. Nostalgic posts work well too with this.
#VanillaCupcakeDay: Cupcake lovers beware, this hashtag might be for you. Perfect for the bakery owner and the all-time cupcake lover, there is no need to be a pastry chef to use this one.
November 11th
#origamiday This one might require some skill and imagination, but it can delight your online community and attract them more to what you do. If you use this one, be sure to send us a picture.
#SundaeDay Who doesn’t love Ice Cream Sundaes!
November 12th
#HappyHourDay Geared more for restaurants and bars, but with a bit of creativity, many can use this hashtag.
November 13th
#KindnessDay Show your kindness to others.
November 15th
#AmericaRecyclesDay We all need to take care for our planet. Show your support by sharing this with some facts and information about recycling.
November 18th
#PrincessDay: Pamper the princesses in your business or show appreciation of your customer.
#MickeyMouseDay Need we say more?
November 19th
International Men’s Day #MensDay: Men’s day is great to share information about current men’s health issues. Perfect for those in the healthcare industry
#PlayMonopolyDay: This one we feel is perfect for finance. “Don’t get caught in monopoly games and get your money safe” what do you think?
November 20th
#EntrepreneursDay Completely self-explanatory.
#NameYourPCDay Give some love to those PC users in your industry and have fun too.
November 21st
#HelloDay A great hashtag to introduce yourself and the team.
November 22nd
#GoForARideDay Whether it is a ride on a car or bike ride, many can use this hashtag if you are creative enough.
November 23rd
#FlossingDay perfect for those in the dental industry.
#EspressoDay Just like #CapuccinoDay, this hashtag can help greatly any account.
November 25th
#ShoppingReminderDay If you sell goods, this one is for you.
November 30th
#ComputerSecurityDay Technology always changes, this one can be an excellent reminder to keep online info safe.
All Month Long:
#PeanutButterLoversMonth When you ran out of ideas or inspiration this month, this hashtag can be a lifesaver. Remember that social media should entertain or educate and this one can help with that.
Bonus Holidays:
These might not be random but are always useful to add.
#Movember
#ThanksGiving
#CyberMonday
We hope these hashtags can help boost your business online presence and bring a little more creativity to your social media game. As always, have fun and use your to see if any of these can help your business.
Posted in Small Business Improvement Tagged with: account, business, capuccino, christmass, coffee, consumers, credit card, customer, customers, data, disney, e-commerce, Facebook, finance, fun, hairdressers, hashtags, holidays, Instagram, lawyers, merchants, payments, photography, restautrant, retail, Security, social media, transactions, twiter
October 28th, 2018 by Admin
In the age where technology is practically king, and your business needs to run. We have decided to share with you, apps that can help your business today.
1. OfficeSuite : Free Office + PDF Editor. OfficeSuite lets you view, edit and create in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents, and perform advanced PDF operations. Many find the app easy to use while on the go; however, do keep in mind that many found a need to purchase the paid version to get the best out of it. As of this post, the app rated 4.3 stars out of 5 in GooglePlay.
2. Slack: This app brings your team together and maintains communication a breeze. This app helps you check off your to-do list and move your projects forward by bringing your team, conversations, tools, and information you need together. The app is great for big and small business and as of right now it rated 4.4 stars out of 5.
3. Google Drive: This app can help you manage your projects, documents, and photos with ease. Better yet, you can start working on a document from your computer and continue on the go if needed. Google Drive is a safe place for all your files and puts them within reach from any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Currently, is rated 4.4 stars out of 5.
4. Evernote: This is another note app but with more features! This app can help you jot down a few notes, create to-do lists, scan your hand-written notes, add images, web links and even audio. And best yet, this app can be accessed from your computer or on the phone making it extremely versatile. Rated 4.5 out of 5.
5. DocuSign: Save time, money and the environment with this app. Docusign allows you to send contracts to your clients while on the go. This app also complies with the e-sign act, the documents are encrypted and is ISO 27001 SSAE16 compliant. Rated 4.5 out of 5.
6. aCalendar: We love Google calendars but this app takes it to a new level of organization. It syncs your phone and Google calendar, has agenda and widget view, 48 colors per calendar, moon phases, mini month or graphical week overview in a day and week view. Currently rated 4.4 out of 5.
7. Google Ads: With a business, you got to market. Google is usually a good way to get started a managing your Google Ads from your phone is even easier. You can view your campaign’s performance when you are not near your computer and it’s free. Rated 4.3 out of 5.
8. Google Analytics: Google tools can be your friend and Google Analytics can help you learn how your website is performing. While on the go, this is a good app to have. It helps you see how your ad campaign is doing and what you can do to improve, for free. Rated 4.5 out of 5.
9. ZOOM Cloud Meetings: Growing your business can mean lots of meetings in your future. When you are not able to meet in person, ZOOM Cloud can help. This app brings video conferencing, online meetings and group messaging into one easy-to-use application. People can connect through the app or via computer. Rated 4.4 out of 5.
10. Mailchimp: Chances are, if you have a business you are doing e-mail marketing. Up your game with Mailchimp and manage your e-mail marketing efforts on the go. Rated 4.1 out of 5.
App images via Google Play
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: Android, Android app, apps, b2b business, boost productivity, business, calendar, evernote, google, Google Apps, google drive, google play, mailchimp, productivity, slack, zoom
October 24th, 2018 by Admin
Having a product or service based business can be easily manageable when you are pricing your business correctly. But can it be done? Before processing, consider pricing.
What does that mean? Before you pick your payment processing service, consider pricing them correctly. Pricing can be tricky sometimes. If you charge too much, you might have a harder time selling your product but if you charge too little people might not honestly see the value of what you have to offer.
There are a certain number of things you need to consider that can make your life easier when it comes to pricing. Knowing your market can, by far, be the most important thing of all. Without knowing your market, you cannot correctly know whether your product or prices will be good.
Knowing your market can greatly positively impact your business. It can help you figure out anything from pricing to branding and including what you can do to grow the business. Start by building up your perfect customer or “avatar” write what your ideal client would enjoy, dislike, what age, gender (if applicable), and even area where they would live.
Once you have this, it will give you a better idea on how to price your services. Consider this:
You sell handmade bags. Although it does not take you too long now to make the bags, the materials are costly, and you need to maximize its use. Your ideal client would not hesitate in buying them, is into fashion, and although anyone can buy them, you have seen many girls ages 18-25 falling in love with them as you walk around with your bag.
Knowing the age group, you know how and where to market and can figure out how much are they willing to pay for your bags. You can also research how much are you competitors charging and see if you price matches, is under-priced or over-priced based on this research.
The next thing you need after figuring out the age and market is your materials. How much do you spend per product? You would need to consider if the price covers the cost of making it and gives you profit.
Having all of these factors will help you price your items correctly so that you are on your way to business success. Once all of these are set up and taken care of, then it is time to set up your account with National Transaction to have a personable and secure payment processing service to start earning on your business.
Posted in Small Business Improvement Tagged with: accept payment, b2b business, business, business cards, card payment system, credit card, entrepreneur, fort lauderdale, NAtional transanction, payment processing, retail, services