Ivan Carmona 
by Ivan Carmona Starting and sustaining a small business can be a rewarding but challenging endeavor. While many entrepreneurs rely on personal savings and loans to fund their ventures, small business grants offer an attractive alternative for those seeking financial assistance. In this blog post, we will explore what small business grants are, who … Read more
There’s a moment every business owner has had at least once: You’re at an event, on a job site, or helping someone on the sales floor… and you think, “Why can’t I just take the payment right here on my phone?” That’s exactly what SoftPOS was built for. Instead of relying on a traditional card … Read more
If you’re a small business owner reading this during the final days of the year, you’re not alone — and you’re not out of options. Every December, business owners scramble looking for tax tips that can actually make a difference before the clock runs out. The good news? There are still several legitimate, last-minute tax … Read more
As credit card processing costs continue to rise, more business owners are exploring alternative pricing strategies to protect margins. Two terms come up repeatedly in these conversations: dual pricing and surcharging. They are often confused, sometimes misrepresented, and frequently explained incorrectly. This article clarifies the real difference between dual pricing vs surcharging, explains how each … Read more
As businesses scale, their payment needs change dramatically. What worked when you were processing $10,000 a month likely won’t work when you’re processing $100,000—or $1 million. That’s where high volume payment processing comes in. Processing large numbers of transactions (or large-dollar transactions) requires a system designed for speed, stability, compliance, and cost control. High … Read more
Small Business Saturday is an annual shopping holiday that takes place on the Saturday following Thanksgiving in the United States. The beginning of Small Business Saturday® dates back to its founding by American Express on November 27, 2010, with initial support from organizations like Main Street America. Local officials and government bodies quickly began to … Read more
Let’s cut to it: Small Business Saturday isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a business opportunity you can’t afford to waste. On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the spotlight lands squarely on local business owners. The question is, will your business own that spotlight—or stand in the shadows while someone else takes it? I’ve seen this happen … Read more
If it feels like the world of credit card machine options exploded overnight, you’re not wrong. What used to be a single countertop terminal has become a full lineup of sleek readers, portable units, and app-based tools. The upside? You now have more flexibility than ever to accept payments anywhere—at the counter, in the field, … Read more
TL;DR You don’t need a Fortune 500 budget to get people talking about your brand. With creativity, community, and smart use of digital tools, new businesses can attract attention without overspending. This guide explores real-world strategies for marketing on a shoestring budget, from leveraging social media to building partnerships, all while keeping costs low … Read more
by Ivan Carmona TL;DR The cost of starting a business is more than just the price of a storefront or website. Entrepreneurs often overlook sneaky expenses like permits, insurance, payroll taxes, marketing, and tech costs (like POS systems and payment processing). Missing these in your budget can eat into profits before you’ve even opened your … Read more
Merchant Services Midwest dba is a nationwide payment processing company helping small business owners thrive with customized merchant services and payment processing solutions.
